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Post by angelminx on Aug 23, 2014 0:54:07 GMT -5
Way back when, Carl suggested that I change my gravel because of a possible problem with Aeromonas. I also was having problems with Cyanobacteria. At the time I had a 48" T-8 twin striplight, of which the the ballast recently died, forcing me to move ahead with getting my LEDs sooner than I anticipated. I hate to spend more on my credit card than I can pay off at the end of the statement cycle, but I went ahead and did it anyway. I now have the GroBeam 600 Duos. BTW: I've checked (when I was working ot the cost analysis), and that striplight is no longer available--only the singles (so I went back and looked at an old catalog that I still had to check what the price was). I am also part-way through with my gravel change-out.
Today I was drying out some of the Flourite (finally) that I had removed from the 55G. I spread out some black garbage bags (to help distribute the heat from the sun) and then spread the gravel out on them to dry.
For the last few weeks there's been a chance of rain nearly every day (that doesn't mean we got any), so I didn't want to spread it out outside (before this) and end up with it even wetter. Today was the 1st full day (most of yesterday) of a heatwave--with the sun out--so I thought maybe I could get it done. It turns out it was too humid, so only part of it dried out--and I kept going out every half hour to an hour to stir it around. The 1st batch I did, when I did the 1st gravel change-out, only took part of the day to dry--and I only had to stir it twice! Hopefully at the beginning of next month my free time and the weather will cooperate for me to finish the last change-out.
When I changed gravel the 1st time, I removed the Flourite from the right 3rd of the tank, and took it and the Flourite Sand outside to rinse off (I do the old substrate last), giving the "dust" that was stirred up a chance to settle some.
I rinse the black gravel that I got (Petsmart never did get the DARK natural gravel back in) for the "top layer", after I do the sand, but I rinsed and dried the last of it (for the middle section) today. IT didn't take so long to dry out--I'm assuming because it was black gravel on a black surface. Once the sand and gravel are rinsed I take them back into the house, and slowly add the sand to the tank and spread it around as best I can by feel. THEN I go out and stir and risnse the Flourite until it runs "clean", then fill the bucket once more with water and some bleach, and let it sit for about 15 to 20 minutes before I drain it out, then give it a last quick rinse. When I drain the bucket (since I can only drain so much before the gravel wants to run out too) I put part of it into a "gallon" ice cream bucket, and use a heavy-duty (Faberware) splatter screen to hold it in the bucket while I turn it upside down to drain as much of the rest of the water that I can. Then it gets spread out on the garbage bags, and I continue with what's left. [Last time I had to cut the drying process short because of a rain shower that wasn't in the forecast, that's what I didn't get done again until today.] At this point I go back in and add the gravel, and re-plant some of what I removed. A few of the plants (some Water Sprite and Wisteria) I've left to float at the surface. The next day I do a water change (with the gravel vacuum) to remove much of the "dust" that has settled on the surface of everything.
Since I "installed" the LEDs (August 16), I haven't noticed any Cyanobacteria. The tank did go through a 5-day black-out, though.
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Aug 23, 2014 12:54:38 GMT -5
What a switch over. Sounds like a nice little project. These are the days we get our hands in our tank and get a little dirty. Glad the switch over went ok. Looking forward to seeing it.
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Post by angelminx on Sept 2, 2014 18:41:35 GMT -5
I am just about done with the gravel switch-over. I'm waiting for the "dust" to settle to see what I need to smooth out/add and where. Then I can start rearranging my plants and hardscape to the way I want it. And get my new plants. Also, tomorrow, vacuum up the layer of "dust" that has settled on everything/do a water change. I'll clean the filter media the next day. I've needed to clean the canister filter out, but didn't want to do it until after I made my mess.
Originally we weren't supposed to have a break in the rain chances until Thursday, but last night they changed the forecast to no rain today, but rain chances for the next few days. Last night, JUST north of us got 4" in a little over an hour. Anyway, I removed and rinsed out and disinfected the last of the Flourite today (at the "same" time rinsing the sand), but it didn't dry out very much, so I have to put it out again on the next "sunny" day.
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Post by angelminx on Sept 3, 2014 16:16:17 GMT -5
I got my Bolbitis heudelotii today. It arrived in good condition--only a couple of leaf tips were brown. I got it from Aquatic Magic (in Malaysia) through Aquabid. I've rinsed it off, and am going to do a quick bleach dip before adding it to the tank. I have a rock I am going to attach it to, but the only cotton thread I have is light pink! Everything else I have is polyester--this one is so old it's on a wooden spool!
I did my "dusting" today, and tomorrow, when I rinse out the Matrix and foams (and change the microfiltration pad) in the XP2, I will do a quick touch up on the remaining "dust". Then I won't have to do anything for a while, except add ferts, and use the Quick Vac--and the occasional testing, top-off and KH tweeking. Oh--and feed the fish!
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Post by angelminx on Oct 26, 2014 1:35:53 GMT -5
Hi, all! Didn't mean to be gone for so long. Most of my Bolbitis died off, but some of it survived and it has sent out a couple of new fronds. I have some pix to share, but for the moment I'll only post a "few". [BTW, does anyone know how to post more than 3 per post?] This is the tank as originally set up (before I found Carl) this pic shows the tank in the 1st phase of the gravel change-over. It also shows how the UV system is set up (this is before final set up on the back of the tank--I was checking for leaks) The tank, 2/3 of the way through the gravel change-over. [Note that the driftwood is now on the other side of the tank. Also, the 2 pieces of masking tape on the XP2, which have the last date of cleaning, and the installation date of the Vecton, whereas the previous photo shows only one piece, marked with the previous cleaning date.] [Edit: BTW, the tank now has the GrowBeams.]
The plants haven't really been re-arranged yet, either.
[this time I was able to insert a comment about this pic being out of focus.]
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Post by angelminx on Oct 26, 2014 2:09:21 GMT -5
I tried to add a comment to the above post, but for some reason the edit wouldn't "take"--even though it says that it was edited. [The comment was about wishing that I was better able to get my pix in focus.] This is before the gravel change-over was complete, but I had just set up my newly arrived GroBeams. [Edit: these pics were taken in the evening, and the one in the previous post was taken in the afternoon.] Here the gravel change-over has been completed, and some of the plant re-arrangement has taken place. Also, the LEDs have been raised with foam pipe insulation. A side-view of the tank, with Munkustrap (i.e. Munky) left, and my namesake (Angelminx) on the right. [2nd edit: as a reply to Carl's comment in the next post, Munky's tail looks more like normal here.] For some reason, I haven't been able to show the whole tank from further back like in my original photos. I'm not sure how I got it that way, but it was right after I 1st started using the camera. When these other head-on pix were taken, I was backed up against the opposite wall ! It's getting kind of late, and I need to bring up Photo Gallery (not sure how it will work on the new computer) to take a closer look at some of the photos...hard to see details when adding the pix as attachments . More later!
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Post by Carl on Oct 26, 2014 11:00:21 GMT -5
Nice pictures, including of Munkustrap & Angelminx Thanks for sharing! Carl
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Oct 29, 2014 17:37:30 GMT -5
These look very nice Angelminx. It's nice to see your aquarium, which just it's light. Gives it a nice vibrant green look. Thanks for sharing.
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Post by angelminx on Oct 29, 2014 18:44:11 GMT -5
Thanks, Guys ! I'll post some more soon, but in the meantime, here is one more, after the final change-over, that is focused to the right: And these 2 focus on the left side of the tank, one of them more towards the corner:
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Post by angelminx on Oct 29, 2014 18:53:36 GMT -5
And these show the center: This is (off-center to the left) before I added the Crypts These two show the Crypts (one group is supposed to be Lutea, and the other the green variety of Wendtii--I don't know which is which) As well, they show the Red Rubin which I had recently added. The leaves are dying/have died off, since this pic was taken, and I'm hoping the new leaves show up soon (I think I see a couple beginning to poke out).
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Oct 30, 2014 8:53:33 GMT -5
These are great angelminx. And you are getting pretty good at posting pictures
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Post by parker002 on Oct 30, 2014 10:04:47 GMT -5
LOVE IT.
Lush and green.
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Post by angelminx on Oct 30, 2014 15:22:02 GMT -5
If you look at the earlier pictures, you can see how terrible it looked algae-wise . I still have a bit of BBA, but no sign of the Cyanobacteria since shortly after I added the GroBeams! Also, the driftwood used to be covered with algae (including the BBA) as shown in this pic with Lou: But as seen in the 2 left-hand pix (shown earlier) it's gone (or at least what's most notable is). Don't know how much is from the lighting, and how much from the pleco/Nerites.
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Oct 31, 2014 9:03:16 GMT -5
If you look at the earlier pictures, you can see how terrible it looked algae-wise . I still have a bit of BBA, but no sign of the Cyanobacteria since shortly after I added the GroBeams! Also, the driftwood used to be covered with algae (including the BBA) as shown in this pic with Lou: View Attachment But as seen in the 2 left-hand pix (shown earlier) it's gone (or at least what's most notable is). Don't know how much is from the lighting, and how much from the pleco/Nerites. You can figure out where the algae is coming from. It comes down to three things. Lighting, Nitrates, or Co2/carbon. If your Nitrates are in check (around 30-40 ppm), you can think that it's the light or the Co2. If you are using high lighting, which you are, you want to make sure you are dosing carbon or Co2. Alage grows because of a excess of nitrates or fluctuating/low Co2/carbon conditions. Just make sure you are keeping Nitrates down and a good amount of Co2/carbon for the plants. The plants will use up whatever the alage could thrive from. If you can think of these three things, you should be able to beat down algae down to nothing really.
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Post by Carl on Oct 31, 2014 9:51:30 GMT -5
A good quality aquarium light, especially the GroBeams are a major factor in control of Cynaobacteria as well one factor in BBA control. Sadly though, many continue to believe the marketing for the many vastly inferior LEDs flooding the market such as the Finnex or Fluval. Devon; I would add one more factor to algae control: Phosphates Carl
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Post by angelminx on Nov 1, 2014 1:15:05 GMT -5
Today I double-checked the Marineland LEDs I got recently for the quarantine tank (I noticed 2 days ago that the lights were flickering, and a few were not lit): they are no longer working. I unplugged them when I noticed the problem and tried to dry them off (they were a little damp--? from the surface agitation from the sponge filter--because they had been pushed back too far the last time I got into the tank for baths), and then let them sit for a couple days to completely dry out. I think the problem started when I was using it to try and catch my Tetras overnight the other day, because I splashed/dripped quite a bit of water in the process. I noticed that the lights themselves are recessed in little holes in the bottom of the unit, but the HOLES are left open to the "elements".
I had purchased them (only ~$25) just for convenience in doing tank-checks, rather than as "useful-light" light source. They helped when taking pix, too. I need to get another unit soon, and if I get the same ones, I'll probably put a sheet of plastic wrap over the holes to (?)keep this from happening again.
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Nov 1, 2014 12:17:34 GMT -5
I had purchased them (only ~$25) just for convenience in doing tank-checks, rather than as "useful-light" light source. They helped when taking pix, too. I need to get another unit soon, and if I get the same ones, I'll probably put a sheet of plastic wrap over the holes to (?)keep this from happening again. For that price, they would be worth trying again. The plastic wrap is not a bad idea, if you think that was what the cause was.
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Post by angelminx on Dec 5, 2014 23:52:53 GMT -5
So far so good with the plastic wrap. I have some more pics of the 55G (I just pruned/thinned out the plants):
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Post by angelminx on Dec 5, 2014 23:54:51 GMT -5
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Post by angelminx on Dec 5, 2014 23:58:31 GMT -5
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