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JakeH

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Everything posted by JakeH

  1. Hanna checkers could work for you. They more or less interpret the reagent color change and give you a number.
  2. Dean’s RO lines are a game changer. The concept saved me hours and the final product definitely feels more polished and flexible. I think your missing this piece, you’ll need to use these (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YYKB9K2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_DEQ6X71E1EVGQY8GGRMC ) to split your lines by shelf on the rack and then build manifold runs across the racks, each tee dropping a line to each tank. I used the Ziss air valve to end each of my lines in the tank. Are your tanks all the same size? I have a similar system set up and I have each valve feeding similar sized tanks. (i.e. one for the 10s, one for the 20s and so on) This way I can feel pretty confident that each tanks water change over is fairly consistent. If you run a line to a rack with mixed volumes your larger tanks will get a smaller % water change per minute of flow than the others. Check out Greg Sage’s water change system videos. He maps out his system in detail. Steve Poland Aquatics also has a great video on the topic. I up with a hybrid of a few different systems that fit my needs. Pump wise I was able to find a 1/3hp sump pump on eBay cheap. It’s got the power, but it is very loud (especially in a plastic bucket). My rack is in the basement and I can hear the pump kick on through the floors. I didn’t consider this when planning and it’s the only regret I have with the setup.
  3. This is the same rack I use. If your looking to avoid a project it is a great choice. I did have a few plywood panels cut when I picked up the rack. I wasn’t sure about the wire rack dispersing the weight/wanted to avoid pressure points on the tanks. I have the 75 on the middle shelf with 2 40s underneath. I’d avoid putting all your weight on the top-accidents happen, best not to have 900lbs of water, glass and rocks above your head. This was from the collecting phase before planting.
  4. My new avocado puffer about to snack on a cricket
  5. I’m seeing similar changes with a few crypt pots I am waiting to plant. I was thinking a early iron or magnesium deficiency after some internet searches, but that’s one novice to another. I’d love to hear other opinions.
  6. Several of the other lights that Finnex has available offer this same feature if your looking to save a buck. It’s the 24/7 line. I’m not a fan of the 24/7 mode (I leave mine on max and use a WiFi timer ) but it is nice to be able to adjust for the aesthetic occasionally.
  7. I’d agree with bacopa caroliniana The second looks like hygrophilia corymbosa And the third looks like an anubias… maybe coffeefolia?
  8. I’ve had surprise corys for the past six months. They seem to thrive in the main tank. A few weeks ago I found an egg on a plant trimming and tossed it in an another tank (sort of a let’s see what happens) that has been going for a few months with single bristle nose, and was shocked to see the little guy swimming around yesterday. Both your options sound fruitful.
  9. The first tank I can remember was for a firebelly newt. I remember having it in a 30ish gallon hex aquarium. I just pulled some information and it turns out that was not ideal. My cat was able to fish him out and that was the end of that. Fish came later once I was in high school. I had a Walmart goldfish in a 10 gallon kit. Today my hobby has matured a bit and am running 5 tanks in the basement with much more success.
  10. George Farmer has recommended picking up hardscape anytime you visit your LFS. By grabbing a piece here and there you end up with a great collection to work with when your ready to start putting a scape together. You’ll have a mix that may feel more natural than if you went in with mission. Also, I’ve found that the tropica site has an awesome section for inspiration. They will list the plants and have a map illustrating planting spots. They will list the fancy names, but you’ll find most available from aco under the common name.
  11. Love black neons! I have 6 living with 6 Kerri tetras. They have been in my planted 30 for about a year now.
  12. Kerris have similar coloring when they are small. What is a good tell?
  13. @Eric R Is any of this content still available.? Tom Barr referenced an experiment where he added 1 fish at a time to see if he could substitute fish waste for typical ferts. I believe he said he only successfully grew algae. I has hoping to rewatch.
  14. Plants are a big part of the fun for me. I’m having luck with most of what I plan to keep plant wise at 83-84. Crypts and Java fern have been pearling. The only issues seem to be with the hygrophila pinnatifida. It grows like a weed in another tank, but is struggling in this warmer setup. I suspect I’m changing too much water for what I have been dosing fert wise though. The other tank hasn’t been automated. I’ve done co2 for about a year now and have a good grasp of managing it at a 78f. Will warmer water complicate a co2 setup? Most of the plant guys are running their tanks on the cool end to help fight algae. I feel like the discus and rams may need to wait for the next tank. I know everything “can be done” but I don’t want to have to stress. (Whether it’s justified or not) And, I like my plants. The angels and Bolivians are a good substitute look wise...I guess... With the current project finally coming together I can start planning for the perfect warm water setup. I have plenty of tank space at the moment and the wild rams can take up residence in an empty 40 that I have been using to prep driftwood. Discus have been a fun carrot to chase. With what I’ve learned in the past 6 months I feel like the next setup may be the one. I would like to sort out the gas exchange concern at 87f. You’ve got the wheel turning.
  15. How warm is warm? I’ve read that anything from 78-86 is acceptable, but 84-86 is the sweet spot. Does the 87f afford you some wiggle room with your other water parameters? I’d love to keep discus but I really can’t make the concession to a high temp. I’ve heard someone mention that fish can usually handle one or too stresses (maybe it was plants), but too many less than ideal parameters are what is really detrimental. What I would love to ‘work’ is plants, corys tetras and rams with a slightly larger fish like discus or angles. The temp is the one parameter that all of the above can’t settle on. With most of my plants I feel comfortable pushing 83 in my water. I started the tank a few months ago and am having luck with a trio of wild rams, 10 panda corys and my plants seem to be handling the temp okay. I’m planing on a school of head and taillights and 3-6 angles. My rack is on an auto water change system and I change over about 70% a week all in small increments. I’d love to do the discus, but I don’t think everyone else would thrive. I will aim for 80-82 for everyone else so the discus didn’t make sense with what I read most times. I might honestly swap the wilds for Bolivians to push the temp back to 78 to keep everyone happy.
  16. You might have luck with a non-fish solution. I added a ehiem skimmer to my planted tank for some additional flow, and was pleasantly surprised when I found it’s little sponge compartment full of my pest snails. You won’t get them all, but I’ve had noticeably less snails since the skimmer when in the tank.
  17. I would use aquarium silicone. It you ever want to change it up it should be easy enough to scrape off and you don’t have to worry about chemicals.
  18. He made the comment in jest. Basically overcompensating with water changes to deal with water parameters when rushing a cycle.
  19. I picked up a few of these GE bulbs from a big box store that had them on clearance-never got around to using them though. You have me motivated to try them now. I’m looking to build a sump that will also serve as a holding plant tank. They should be fine in a aluminum cone, right? Like the fixtures you’d use with a heat lamp.
  20. I’d try a few more crypts. Cryptocoryne Tropica would be a nice addition. I’m a big fan of anything you can get a nice bronze color out of.
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