A Python water changer is the best time investment
(I’ve used alternate branded systems but quality, especially of the tubing, is no where near as good)
Just start syphon and drain to garden or toilet etc to save on water usuage (though Python does claim a 7:1 ratio once started (which is consistent with theory) - certainly the outflow water does run close to tank temp rather than the cold tap water, but that’s the extent of my measurement ... note if your tap pressure is low, it can struggle to start the syphon from tank (depending on distance and height) and will waste water during this stage)
Refill tank directly from tap, adding sufficient Prime for entire tank volume (depending on tap additives, you can omit Prime if no livestock - as I usually have a cycled filter, I add shrimp and snails the day after tank setup) With the twice a week water change, I’d aim for 70%
I looked at the Python and ended up getting a large bucket, hose and a small pump; although oldskool sucking gets the tank drained quickly. I can drain 70% in 15 minutes and then dump it out in the front yard, unless I go out there and there is a street altercation between my neighbors and some random teenager and the cops get called and I am a witness and whatever my neighborhood is not usually so trailer park but...the harder part is putting the water back in the tank quickly without disturbing the scape. If I reverse my pump I am afraid the flow will blast things out so I have been pouring the water back in, one pitcher at a time, with another container spreading the flow out (I don't have a nice red colander).
I have been adding Prime even though there is no livestock; I put some mulm in the filters when I started them up and there should also be some in the substrate. Somewhere I read that the bacteria we are trying to establish do not like straight clorine tapwater.
Check each day for any melt and do a quick syphon to remove any debris (maybe 10% water change to do this)Even 20% daily should increase CO2 levels in water - obviously one can also add sparkling water but most contain significant sodium levels, if you have a SodaStream system, just carbonate some tap water and add to tank
Even with my work schedule I can siphon a bit each night; I assume the more dying gunk there is the more chance for algae and the greater need for water changes. Has anybody used SodaStream for CO2 rather than extinguishers for the long-term?
I find that melt becomes obvious around the second week - but this is going to vary with temp, also lighting and CO2
I was wondering exactly this; right now I can feel like the hero of DSM since nothing has had the chance to melt yet but I will report back weekly how it is going
If you plant R Vietnam H’ra, you can see the (surprisingly) low level of ambient light needed for leafs to “open”
(this plant grows rather nicely in non-CO2 and will show pink even in quite low light, slow growth setups, it’s become one of my favourite plants)
Nice recommendation; thanks!
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