Hi foxfishAre you saying.. you have alga issues so you have cut back on lighting & C02?
Thanks - I was running CO2 AND lights for 12 hours, with the lights at 100% for 6 of those hours, and I think that's the main cause of the bloom - silly really, after all the patience and work of doing the DSM cycle....OK then, it was when you said .. ...at the moment I'm not dosing at all and pulled CO2 and lighting right back... I got worried!
Anyway - tuning the lights down & upping the C02 is the way to go, if you don't have any fish then turn it up big time & carry on with full ferts
Yes, I have noticed this before, running CO2 hard, but back then I wasn't using a drop-checker, just watching my fish to make sure I wasn't dosing too much.Well your Otocinclus wont have half the effect of increased C02 but I guess you cant remove them now?
Lots of people are surprised how much C02 is required!
I am no expert but thought might try and help a little, firstly how are you checking your PH ? electronic ones are great I used to use test kit and didn't see much change so hopefully you have electric one also the aim to to get the PH to drop by 1 so when the co2 comes on if reading 6.2 you want it to be 5.2 at least by the time lights come on then usually doesn't drop much lower, how many bps are you supplying ? also does ur drop checker change colour ?Yes, I have noticed this before, running CO2 hard, but back then I wasn't using a drop-checker, just watching my fish to make sure I wasn't dosing too much.
Now, I'm using a drop checker, and I'm nervous to crank up the CO2 because my pH is not seeming to change at all (6), even when the CO2 has been off for a couple of hours....?? Am I missing something?
Hey DeanI am no expert but thought might try and help a little, firstly how are you checking your PH ? electronic ones are great I used to use test kit and didn't see much change so hopefully you have electric one also the aim to to get the PH to drop by 1 so when the co2 comes on if reading 6.2 you want it to be 5.2 at least by the time lights come on then usually doesn't drop much lower, how many bps are you supplying ? also does ur drop checker change colour ?
Thanks dean
Just tested pH again and it's spot on 7Hey Dean
More expert than me for sure, so comments very welcome
Using a drop checker, but with tank water - couldn't get 4 dKH this weekend, so making do. My RO comes out at 6.3 using a pH test kit so I add 30% tap water which brings it to about 7....
Running at 4 bps and my drop checker hasn't changed colour from Friday evening to today....
Just checked on the bay - less than 8 quid - done dealYou need the correct solution for you DC to work but your PH readings are a great way to see how the C02 is working.
As Dean points out - a cheap PH pen is a great asset.
Just checked on the bay - less than 8 quid - done deal
Hi RobDon't forget to order some calibration fluid to go with it
I've had my cheapy PH pen for 3 weeks or so now and found it pretty accurate and an excellent tool I've calibrated weekly with PH 7 & PH 4 solution and it's not needed much adjustment (2 minute job anyhow).
Shame about your light problems, I suffered the same kling on levels of TMC power when I started up 2 months ago, and still cleaning up the mess now lol. Still running at 25% max with as much CO2 as I can with fish in!
Good luck
Hi Rob
Yes, I did check and the one I've ordered includes calibration fluid. Good to know that they work - I've been sceptical of my test kit for a while....
Lighting always seems to catch me out - I try to run my photo period long - I start work early and it's always nice to give the tank a quick check under lights before I leave and again when I get home - so I'm always pushing the limit in terms too many hours. I try to mitigate by having a long ramp time - 4 hours - and limit max to 35% inititially. This way, the tank is only getting the higher setting for a short period of time. But it is risky
Previously, I always thought you had to reduce CO2 during low-light periods, but the prevailing wisdom now seems to be to crank it quite hard....I'm at 6 bps now, but still not sure if this is right as I can't get an accurate read on pH / CO2 ppm. Got to get that sorted....
Good idea Al - yes, I think I'll try that, with a shorter burst of 35% in the middle of the day....Hi mate could you not just set the minimum on your conyroller to 1 that way theres still a twinkle of light on the tank during lights off???