Journal Gwad's 20 gal Dutch Tank

[techman81]

Just invested in a Hanna high range kit from eBay and a spanky new magnetic stir kit for this very reason .. swear I will get my nitrate stable if it kills us all

I also bought those during the sales but haven't had a chance to play with it yet. I'll have lots of time over the holiday break. Hoping the magnetic stirrer makes the Hanna CO2 test easier.

 

[Koan]

Hoping the magnetic stirrer makes the Hanna CO2 test easier

Per some complaints on Bulk Reef Supply about the tiny 7mm x 3mm magnetic stir bar jumping down the sink appropriately sized extras are also available

 

[techman81]

Per some complaints on Bulk Reef Supply about the tiny 7mm x 3mm magnetic stir bar jumping down the sink appropriately sized extras are also available

As a home brewer who had (still has actually) several large Erlenmeyer flasks and magnetic stir plates, even the larger stir bars get lost rather easily.

 

[BenB]

View attachment 12212

Elements are in motion..

WTF am I looking at? Is this your meth lab?

Elements in motion....

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[BenB]

I also bought those during the sales but haven't had a chance to play with it yet. I'll have lots of time over the holiday break. Hoping the magnetic stirrer makes the Hanna CO2 test easier.

Oh wow... we are so hijacking @Gwad 's Journal, but no reason to stop now. Why do you need the stirrer for that test? I have the LaMotte which operates on the same principal. I just swirl it a bit. I thought Hanna would be just as easy.

 

[Gwad]

I'll add a picture from today to take back my journal

Yesterday I bought some Cyperus Helferi and Monte Carlo from the new aquarium store in town. I think I have too many species now but it looks pretty cool.



I also tidied up my lobelia street and took it to the back wall, and I trimmed and replanted the tops of my bacopa and oak leaf. Mayaca needs some attention now as well.

 

[Koan]

I'll add a picture from today to take back my journal

Beautiful!

Why do you need the stirrer for that test?

<hijack >


</hijack >

 

[BenB]

I'll add a picture from today to take back my journal

Looks good. My tank is doing OK with little algae, but my scape needs lots of work. Hopefully this weekend. It's not the time of year for free time for hobbies.

 

[Gwad]

I had a bit of a facepalm moment yesterday. I was playing around with the Photone app and realized I had never measured PAR at the substrate for this tank and my janky $8 light bulbs I'm using. I put my phone in a ziploc bag, and it turns out I've been blasting over 150 PAR at substrate on this tank. These bulbs are no joke and when your tank is only 12" deep you dont need much light. I guess I figured they wouldn't be that strong since they are cheap.

I have been struggling with algae on old growth leaves and on my tank equipment, and it turns out that stuff nearer the surface was getting hit with like 350 PAR.

I lifted my lights up until I measured around 90-100 PAR at substrate. Hopefully that helps me clear it up without messing up my plants too much.