Journal 200 Gallon Jungle: Notes on the SWCR Method

[gjcarew 1]

Loving the mad scientist build.

Trophic states are usually measured by Carlson's trophic state index, which is the weight of the biomass in the water. I would argue that in a jungle tank you have a eutrophic body of water regardless of the nutrient conditions since the biomass is so high.

It makes sense to try to match nutrient levels to the trophic conditions in the tank. In that view, EI actually starts to make a lot more sense as a 'natural' state.

I'm guessing you're an electrical engineer? That's quite a lighting diagram!
Edit: On second reading I think that may have been what your experiment was trying to prove, that plants can't survive in an oligotrophic environment.

 

[Graham]

I agree entirely on the point about the trophic status classification. My categorization is highly simplistic based on parameters that are easily testable, and they are based on an upward shift in concentration values by three orders of magnitude. The CTSI is a rigorously specific protocol for evaluation principally of whole lentic bodies that may or may not be stratified, and the exact index value can change for a given lake over a year's cycle as chlorophyll content changes with the phytoplanktonic population, clarity changes with turnover, and allochthonous input is seasonal. As these phenomena and criteria do not necessarily wholly apply to lotic waters, it's a stretch to attempt a CTSI classification of shallow tropical primary streams. Technically a CTSI value can be assigned to any body of water after the necessary tests are made and the calculations are performed, but applied to a stream, it would be a meaningless number. On the other hand, my categorization is just a model. It is not supported in the technical literature in the form I present it. While it is not completely arbitrary I will concede that my use of the terminology is not precise. Perhaps it would be better not to use the terminology in connection with aquariums at all, whether in terms of CTSI or any other model.

EI works for lots of folks. Whether it "makes a lot more sense as a 'natural' state" I will not presume to judge as I am not sure what this means. In any case I am not critical of EI and I am not deliberately seeking a debate on the subject. I am describing my methods and, as I have said, I insist on nothing.

I am taking the "mad scientist" thing as a compliment. I am an autodidactic polymath (not genius level). In college I took on a broad curriculum. I am not a formally trained EE (but I have some friends who are, and other kinds of engineers too). There is nothing very exceptional about the diagram. It's really a simple system of a bunch of lights all hooked up. True, you don't see this sort of thing regularly coming from the hobby, but there are a few of us DIYers out here who design and build stuff. It just won't do to not commit it to plans and drawings and such as that's kind of prerequisite to getting the thing done. A picture is worth a thousand words, so I publish it. I do appreciate your interest; it's the reaction I was hoping for.

Edit: the experiment did prove that oligotrophy is a difficult environment for macrophytes, but it wasn't trying to prove it. I meant to explore the limit of minimum, but had no preconception. Still, you are correct. I knew going in - as we all know - that production is the lynchpin of the entire enterprise. The proof was a hard lesson. At first the changes were subtle, so it fooled me. The system lapsed into prolonged nitrogen limitation and I regret the damage I have done to the habitat. But it's getting fixed and all will be well.

 

[gjcarew 1]

EI works for lots of folks. Whether it "makes a lot more sense as a 'natural' state" I will not presume to judge as I am not sure what this means. In any case I am not critical of EI and I am not deliberately seeking a debate on the subject. I am describing my methods and, as I have said, I insist on nothing.

I am taking the "mad scientist" thing as a compliment.

I just meant that in heavily planted tanks, the EI method matches eutrophic nutrient conditions with a eutrophic biomass. The prevailing wisdom in much of the aquarium industry (especially outside of the US) is to use a lean fertilization regime. Of course, the notion of what is 'natural' in an aquarium will always be nebulous.

I meant the 'mad scientist' thing as a compliment, this is a fascinating journal!

 

[Joel Armstrong]

I agree entirely on the point about the trophic status classification. My categorization is highly simplistic based on parameters that are easily testable, and they are based on an upward shift in concentration values by three orders of magnitude. The CTSI is a rigorously specific protocol for evaluation principally of whole lentic bodies that may or may not be stratified, and the exact index value can change for a given lake over a year's cycle as chlorophyll content changes with the phytoplanktonic population, clarity changes with turnover, and allochthonous input is seasonal. As these phenomena and criteria do not necessarily wholly apply to lotic waters, it's a stretch to attempt a CTSI classification of shallow tropical primary streams. Technically a CTSI value can be assigned to any body of water after the necessary tests are made and the calculations are performed, but applied to a stream, it would be a meaningless number. On the other hand, my categorization is just a model. It is not supported in the technical literature in the form I present it. While it is not completely arbitrary I will concede that my use of the terminology is not precise. Perhaps it would be better not to use the terminology in connection with aquariums at all, whether in terms of CTSI or any other model.

EI works for lots of folks. Whether it "makes a lot more sense as a 'natural' state" I will not presume to judge as I am not sure what this means. In any case I am not critical of EI and I am not deliberately seeking a debate on the subject. I am describing my methods and, as I have said, I insist on nothing.

I am taking the "mad scientist" thing as a compliment. I am an autodidactic polymath (not genius level). In college I took on a broad curriculum. I am not a formally trained EE (but I have some friends who are, and other kinds of engineers too). There is nothing very exceptional about the diagram. It's really a simple system of a bunch of lights all hooked up. True, you don't see this sort of thing regularly coming from the hobby, but there are a few of us DIYers out here who design and build stuff. It just won't do to not commit it to plans and drawings and such as that's kind of prerequisite to getting the thing done. A picture is worth a thousand words, so I publish it. I do appreciate your interest; it's the reaction I was hoping for.

Edit: the experiment did prove that oligotrophy is a difficult environment for macrophytes, but it wasn't trying to prove it. I meant to explore the limit of minimum, but had no preconception. Still, you are correct. I knew going in - as we all know - that production is the lynchpin of the entire enterprise. The proof was a hard lesson. At first the changes were subtle, so it fooled me. The system lapsed into prolonged nitrogen limitation and I regret the damage I have done to the habitat. But it's getting fixed and all will be well.

I have some new words to learn

Although I don't fully understand what you're saying, yet, I thoroughly enjoy reading your posts

 

[Art 174]

autodidactic polymath (not genius level)

Well, you have good company, sir. Leonardo Da Vinci was also an autodidactic polymath. I would argue with you about the genius level thing, though. I think just qualifying in the category should automatically tag you as that.

I think the hobby needs you and more people with similar interests. Given our relatively small size, as a market, commercial ventures don't have a lot of incentive to push innovation. I'm hoping your experiments and observations lead to break throughs that then move our hobby into more sustainable methods that can be easily taught and replicated.

Really enjoying reading the journal! Keep it coming!

 

[Graham]

Thanks to everyone for bearing with me and for the kind remarks. Thought I'd share a couple of pics here. The dark alga is slowly just fading away. I am especially pleased that the crypts are growing really fast (for crypts!) and are algae-free, and there are several new volunteers sprouting in the foreground. The lotus is rapidly putting out big floaters now and I hope to see it bloom this year. I have procrastinated some on pruning the big old swordplant leaves because the alga remaining is mostly all chlorophyte and the gara is enjoying the feast. This is the best food for it, but of course the senescent growth must go sooner than later.