Mmiller2001

I was able to get out and look around at substrates. I think I want to go with Caribsea Super Naturals Sunset gold. I like the color alot and the price is right. Have any of you used it? If so, will it take a bit of washing?

This is dependent on the live stock chosen.

Yes, and also remember that a TDS meter measures soluble and insoluble organics in the water. To alleviate dosing questions, I've found that dosing the RO water coming in is easier to calculate. If you have a 4 liter bucket, dose the 4L bucket of RO with your GH minerals and fertilizer. This way, no matter the amount changed, you maintain your target ppm in the tank. If I have a tank with a GH of 5 degrees and KH of 2 degrees, I dose the RO storage to those parameters. I can change any amount of water while keeping the exact numbers inside the aquarium. TDS meters are incredibly powerful when you know what you are dosing. I dose my 0 TDS RO water to 85ppm, that a ratio of Ca and Mg that's about 4.5 to 5 degrees GH. Many times I will get distracted and forget if I dosed. If I drop my TDS meter in, see 85ppm, I know I dosed it correctly. You can do the same for the fertilizer also. After the RO water is fully dosed, that ppm should be recorded. Do the water change and the tank TDS should be close to the ppm of the new water coming in. If suddenly you test the tank, and see a TDS much higher or lower, you know something is wrong and you can take measure to correct the problem. Disclaimer: I typed this before having coffee.

No clue honestly. And I've never experienced anything like that in my tanks.

My experience; that just having more plant mass is an excellent fix for algae. Have to dose nutrients, but just more mass. Looks better too!

I believe increasing pressure should only improve efficiency, that said 40PSI is pretty low and most units are looking for 60 to 75PSI. I could definitely be wrong about this. I would look into a booster pump and adding DI resin. A second membrane would further increase efficiency and probably get you to 0TDS.

Mine sits still but covered and no light exposure.

My project Thursday is to go and visit the big box stores and the 1 local we have. Hopefully a price is available that won't shock the wife! I will be visiting Ace too.

I can't find it...ugh. never easy.

Trifasciata.

Which one will Apistos like the most?

It reflects the water color very nicely. Does it have a bit of tannin color naturally?

I'll check them out. Can see a picture of the color?

Sounds like the size is perfect. Let me look at the price. Hopefully I won't have a heart attack. Thank you. Holy cow, that's expensive.

Greetings all, I'm looking for a substrate suggestion that is similar to Carib Sea Peace River pebbles. I'm hoping for a bit smaller pieces but I love the color and hopefully can get a suggestion that's similar, just a bit closer to sand. So an in-between sand and Peace River size. Thank you for any insight.

I'm looking for substrate suggestions. I want something like Carib Sea Peace River but a bit smaller pebbles. Any recommendations? I hoping for the same or similar color as peace river too. I'll post this separately as not many will be seeing it here.

I will say water turnover needs to be addressed along with this discussion. Spray bars are usually run with canister filters and the right size canister filter offers, typically, more water turnover. Pros, More water can be turned over while offering higher or lower flow in the tank. Superior surface agitation that can be lengthened or shortened. Cons, A bit more hands on at times. Air stones, Pros, Cheaper Easier to clean Cons, Ugly Requires additional equipment Splash I forgot to mention that a spray bar offers laminar flow. A pro.

Shouldn't matter too much. Circulating the co2 around the tank is where I would focus.

I moved some plants to the 40 that I want to keep around and man does this Erectus love the Aqua Soil. Also the limnophilia is really enjoying it too. Never seen this growth pattern out of it.

For sand, I like FairmountSantrol AquaQuartz-50 Pool Filter 20-Grade Silica Sand 50 Pounds, White https://a.co/d/hcBisJr For an Aqua Soil, I like Limited-time deal: LANDEN Aqua Soil Substrate for Natural Planted Aquarium, Plant or Shrimp Stratum, Clay Gravel and Stable Porous Substrate for Freshwater Aquarium, Black Color (20 lbs) https://a.co/d/gkEvxpS Landen will spike ammonia temporally, you must take steps to handle it. Spikes for about 2 weeks.

What's your P dose?

It's going to be. Be ready for large water changes and daily filter cleaning.

I would look into CO2 injection and go that route.

I would stay the course and after 3 generations, increase water changes a bit at a time. After the 3rd generation, shrimp become pretty resilient.

American Marine PINPOINT pH Monitor + Calibration Fluids https://a.co/d/d1qajKf America Marine Inc. Pinpoint pH Controller Interface 120VAC https://a.co/d/cOHB9Wj