Lower reduction rates of NO3 from the DBS, evidence of a carbon limited system

[sjvl51]

Hi Tom

I've been too busy to reply, but I finally got to Home Depot and asked for stump remover. I was told to come back in a month or so when the gardening stuff came out. I guess I'll have to wait to try that.

In a way, that might be best as there have been so many changes to the tanks recently. My husband finally got the MH hood made so I am slowing increasing the lighting on the tank with NO lights. I am hoping to do the final sand distrubance during this time (install the closed loop with piping under the sand) so when the corals and lr get arranged, I don't have to disturb them again.

With so many changes it will be hard to know what effects anything had on the system.

Thanks for all the great info

Vickie

 

[Plantbrain]

www.gregwatson.com

Sells KNO3, KH2PO4, K2SO4, CaCl2, Trace mixes for peanuts etc

1 lb will last a year or more.

I would suggest doing step wise things unless your are experienced.

It's a learning process for many.
Once you know one thing well, then you start on something else. But it's important to make sure other things do not impact that one area you are considering.

Then you can predict much better what will occur when you mess with two things at once.

Generally when you mess everything up, a good old step wise back to the basic apporach works best.

Clean the dickins out of everything, clean filter, prune, preen everything, clean equipment etc, do a large water change, re check everything.

Keep up on it.

Then if you want, you can explore the limits of one thing at a time under as controlled conditions as you can.


Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[gatohoser]

Nevermind

 

[big Randy]

wow. i need a nap after all that info thanks very much.

 

[sjvl51]

Great link. Thanks again Tom.

Vickie

 

[boxfishpooalot]

I have experienced this carbon effect firsthand. Try it yourself, add some sand to a clear glass cup with tank water. Syphon some fish poo or dead plant material and sprikle it on top of the sand. Wait about 2 weeks and you will see lots of bubbles(nitrogen gas). Maybee even test the nitrates before and after.

Make a second cup of the same thing, just supply it with tank water and sand without the organics. You will find that there is no bubbles.

Try it