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Journal Attempting a True Dutch
- Thread starter Kwyet
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #222
Kwyet
After every new tank—“This is my last one!”
How long has it been set up? I’ve read that the effect may lessen a good bit over time. I wonder if putting some shallow bags of aquasoil under it would help (and how long).
gnatster
Active Member
Since July, 7 months.
That is quite annoying. A substrate that's not aquasoil really should be inert. I am glad I decided not to get these substrate for my cories. I really had liked the color but the cost was too prohibitive.
- Thread starter
- #225
Kwyet
After every new tank—“This is my last one!”
Well, my fault because I assumed all sand except aragonite was naturally inert. When the bags came in, they did say “may raise water hardness”, but I assumed it would be minimal. When I tested yesterday, my kH was 9, gH 12. My tap water is usually kH 0-1, occasionally 2, and gH is 3-4. I did remineralize my tap water as usual before filling the tank, but I don’t add anything for kH in these tanks.
Today I did a 90% water change with straight tap water. I also cleaned the glass and set 1/2 bag of Landen aquasoil in mesh bags on top of the sand. That’s just something I had in the closet. If I find that levels are decent after a week, I might go to the trouble of putting shallow bags of aquasoil under the sand. It’ll also help keep the tank cycled while I’m experimenting, because I don’t want to add livestock until everything is settled. Meanwhile, I put the tonina in the first tank. I “think” all of the other plants can deal with it. I just don’t want to give up on this sand after just buying 5 bags of it (I used 4). Oh, and I’ll test in a couple of days. There’s also the RODI option, but I wonder if that would just make the swing greater.
Well, I need to get to work on the other tanks now.
Today I did a 90% water change with straight tap water. I also cleaned the glass and set 1/2 bag of Landen aquasoil in mesh bags on top of the sand. That’s just something I had in the closet. If I find that levels are decent after a week, I might go to the trouble of putting shallow bags of aquasoil under the sand. It’ll also help keep the tank cycled while I’m experimenting, because I don’t want to add livestock until everything is settled. Meanwhile, I put the tonina in the first tank. I “think” all of the other plants can deal with it. I just don’t want to give up on this sand after just buying 5 bags of it (I used 4). Oh, and I’ll test in a couple of days. There’s also the RODI option, but I wonder if that would just make the swing greater.
Well, I need to get to work on the other tanks now.
gnatster
Active Member
- Thread starter
- #227
Kwyet
After every new tank—“This is my last one!”
Good to know, thanks!
- Thread starter
- #229
Kwyet
After every new tank—“This is my last one!”
So far so good!
- Thread starter
- #231
Kwyet
After every new tank—“This is my last one!”
My main concern was gurgling and air-locking, and so far that hasn’t occurred. I haven’t noticed any increase in flow, but I don’t have any objective data either.
