Journal Attempting a True Dutch

[gjcarew]

It won't be big enough in time for what?

 

[Kwyet]

It won't be big enough in time for what?

I still want to enter the contest again, and I’m assuming it would be around the same time as last year.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

The new tank has been set up 5 weeks now. There was green spot algae on a some leaves and staghorn on old growth in a few places, before I trimmed them off today. I haven’t had any diatoms and no serious algae problems so far. I keep having to increase the ferts though. Maybe someone will tell me that’s not the problem, but I still have a lot of pale growth, especially on the ludwigia. I’ve gradually raised the power of the light too, in case that’s part of it. This is from today before trimming:

View attachment 14881

Don’t judge the layout. It doesn’t have one yet, lol! I figure by the end of the month I should start making some decisions about what is staying in the tank and placement. The moss is looking better. Unless the Barclaya suddenly takes off, it won’t be big enough in time to be a focal point, so I’ll probably need to rethink that.

Back to ferts, I tested before the water change today: 8.6 ppm nitrates, 11 dgH, 8.5 dkH, 0 Fe, 2 phosphate. I also tested calcium and magnesium for the first time with Salifert test kits, but I need to try them again because I don’t think the readings made sense (calcium turned blue immediately after adding the .6 ml of reagent, and magnesium turned blue before adding any reagent).

I think it’s okay that Fe was 0 because it was already noon when I tested, and doesn’t it get absorbed very quickly after adding it to the water? I think nitrates are still too low though, so I increased them by another 7 ml/week and did the same to the micros to match it. I should probably pick a consistent time and test daily for a week to really see what’s happening. I did figure out that with the new dosing, the tank is now getting 34.3/8.8/40.2 macros and .65 Fe weekly. How do those numbers look? Part of that is the 3x dose macros after the 50% water change.

As for light, I haven’t measured the par yet (because it’s a bit of a pain), but it’s at 65% power. By comparison, the other tank is at 74% power with the same light, and a little taller, and I believe it has a par of 50 at the substrate. I’ll probably move this one up to 74% next week.

Well, I guess that’s it. Anyone with any insights is welcome to share them! Thanks for reading!

First, tank still looks great!

The only thing I'd be worried about is the GH and KH, both are pretty high.

But your numbers at 34/9/40 are good for macros with a tank of this style! I'm back to running my tank at similar, 34/10/42 ish. So basically the same.

 

[Kwyet]

First, tank still looks great!

The only thing I'd be worried about is the GH and KH, both are pretty high.

But your numbers at 34/9/40 are good for macros with a tank of this style! I'm back to running my tank at similar, 34/10/42 ish. So basically the same.

Thanks! I didn’t realize the sand wasn’t inert when I bought it, and I don’t want the expense of replacing it for at least a year, so I’m muddling through with that. I think it’ll become plain which plants can and can’t handle it. I’m actually surprised that most of them are doing just fine with it. Is there a secret to those Salifert tests? I thought I followed the directions carefully.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

I haven't tried the salifert Ca or Mg tests, I didn't know if they could work for fresh water! Perhaps that's the issue?

 

[Aquajack]

Back to ferts, I tested before the water change today: 8.6 ppm nitrates, 11 dgH, 8.5 dkH, 0 Fe, 2 phosphate. I also tested calcium and magnesium for the first time with Salifert test kits, but I need to try them again because I don’t think the readings made sense (calcium turned blue immediately after adding the .6 ml of reagent, and magnesium turned blue before adding any reagent).

I think it’s okay that Fe was 0 because it was already noon when I tested, and doesn’t it get absorbed very quickly after adding it to the water? I think nitrates are still too low though, so I increased them by another 7 ml/week and did the same to the micros to match it. I should probably pick a consistent time and test daily for a week to really see what’s happening. I did figure out that with the new dosing, the tank is now getting 34.3/8.8/40.2 macros and .65 Fe weekly. How do those numbers look? Part of that is the 3x dose macros after the 50% water change.

Still looking great so far. I assume that dosing is for tank volume and not water change volume?
I'm in the process of gradually increasing macros but starting form a much lower base. I'm only increasing around 10% a week at the moment. How much had you been increasing?

 

[Kwyet]

I haven't tried the salifert Ca or Mg tests, I didn't know if they could work for fresh water! Perhaps that's the issue?

Oh man, I’m an idiot! You are right! Thanks!

 

[Kwyet]

Still looking great so far. I assume that dosing is for tank volume and not water change volume?
I'm in the process of gradually increasing macros but starting form a much lower base. I'm only increasing around 10% a week at the moment. How much had you been increasing?

It’s for estimated tank volume. It’s a 72g tank, so I based it on 65g. I increased by 1 ml/day plus the 3x dose based on daily dose after a water change. This is the 3rd increase. I started with 5 ml/day and 15 ml after water change, and now I’m at 8 ml/day and 24 ml after water change. It’s probably better to do macros on 1-2 other days after the 3x on water change day as many others do, but I do it daily because I never know when I’ll have to skip Monday maintenance and do it on another day. I figure this way I’m covered even if I have to leave for a few days.

 

[Aquajack]

It’s for estimated tank volume. It’s a 72g tank, so I based it on 65g. I increased by 1 ml/day plus the 3x dose based on daily dose after a water change. This is the 3rd increase. I started with 5 ml/day and 15 ml after water change, and now I’m at 8 ml/day and 24 ml after water change. It’s probably better to do macros on 1-2 other days after the 3x on water change day as many others do, but I do it daily because I never know when I’ll have to skip Monday maintenance and do it on another day. I figure this way I’m covered even if I have to leave for a few days.

Similar size tank to one I'm working on. I've also just moved to daily, well around 50% macros front loading then the rest split up daily (ferts have a holiday Fridays LOL) I don't have to think about it then