Journal Joel Armstrong - My journey

[Count Krunk]

What about pool filter sand? I would think you could get that. Also, play sand, they got that over there? Anything black and branded for aquariums is going to cost like 20x more.

 

[Joel Armstrong]

What about pool filter sand? I would think you could get that. Also, play sand, they got that over there? Anything black and branded for aquariums is going to cost like 20x more.

Yeah right ok, thank you. I was hoping to stay with black. But I may consider it.

I can get this 'decorative gravel' which is black and 2-3mm

Aqua One Gravel 2-3mm Silica Black 10kg

auburnaquariumandterrarium.com.au

 

[Count Krunk]

What about this? Sems to be the same as bdbs

Draper Tools 40408 Shot Blasting Grit, 25 Kg Bag, Medium Grit https://amzn.asia/d/cn9sExe

 

[Count Krunk]

Yeah right ok, thank you. I was hoping to stay with black. But I may consider it.

I can get this 'decorative gravel' which is black and 2-3mm

Aqua One Gravel 2-3mm Silica Black 10kg

auburnaquariumandterrarium.com.au

i would assume that would do just fine as an inert substrate.

 

[FrankZ]

I have got an RO system, but I just haven't gotten around to setting it up.

Maybe I should swap out the old soil, and go with RO next round.

I would definitely wait on the RO if you’re going to swap the soil.

 

[Joel Armstrong]

I would definitely wait on the RO if you’re going to swap the soil.

What do you mean, swap the substrate and continue with tap for now?

 

[FrankZ]

What do you mean, swap the substrate and continue with tap for now?

Well this is embarrassing. 90 seconds later I don’t really know what I meant by that.

Going to intert substrate wont wear out any buffering if you stick with tap water because there is no buffer to speak of. Switch to RO before swapping the substrate won’t hurt anything either. Just go slow on the 100% conversion to avoid osmotic shock of the critters and plants.

Maybe I had my chemist hat on to tight and was thinking only change one variable at a time so you know what fixed it.

 

[Joel Armstrong]

Well this is embarrassing. 90 seconds later I don’t really know what I meant by that.

Going to intert substrate wont wear out any buffering if you stick with tap water because there is no buffer to speak of. Switch to RO before swapping the substrate won’t hurt anything either. Just go slow on the 100% conversion to avoid osmotic shock of the critters and plants.

Maybe I had my chemist hat on to tight and was thinking only change one variable at a time so you know what fixed it.

Thanks,

I love your quote about your chemist hat being on too tight love it!

I looked at the shot blasting media you mentioned, but it's from Germany and even though I'd get free shipping, the site says it'll be 4-6 weeks before it'll be shipped.

For basically the same price anyway, I can get the aqua one gravel, and have it delivered much sooner.

 

[Joel Armstrong]

Aqua One Gravel 2-3mm Silica Black 10kg

auburnaquariumandterrarium.com.au

Done! I've ordered this for my aquarium.

 

[FrankZ]

Thanks,

I love your quote about your chemist hat being on too tight love it!

I looked at the shot blasting media you mentioned, but it's from Germany and even though I'd get free shipping, the site says it'll be 4-6 weeks before it'll be shipped.

For basically the same price anyway, I can get the aqua one gravel, and have it delivered much sooner.

Thanks! Glad you got a laugh.

i can’t take credit for @Count Krunk and his searching work though.

 

[Joel Armstrong]

Thanks! Glad you got a laugh.

i can’t take credit for @Count Krunk and his searching work though.

Ooh oops

Sorry about that @Count Krunk, I do very much appreciate your help

Thanks to everyone who has helped me out!

 

[GreggZ]

Damn man thats crazy. From our offline convos and pics I can honestly say Ive never seen such a stubborn case of diatoms. It still seems like something continuous must be happening to drive it.

Joe I have had conversations with Joel about this as well. I have to say I am stumped.

In all my years I have never seen anything remotely like it.

But like you said, SOMETHING must be causing it. What that is I have no idea.

 

[Joel Armstrong]

Post in thread 'Greggz 120G Rainbow Fish Tank - Part Deux!' Build Thread - Greggz 120G Rainbow Fish Tank - Part Deux!

So the reason behind all of my questioning, is that I was looking to further optimise my CO2.

I get a gas pocket that accumulates in my reactor, and during the latter half of the photoperiod, I get a few micro bubbles escaping the spray bar.. I'd like to eliminate both of these issues, if possible.

@GreggZ, I had read in one of your journals somewhere, that you had split the outlets from your reactor to create a little back pressure to the reactor. I had assumed this was to ensure that the CO2 dissolved more efficiently, and to eliminate any micro bubbles escaping. This is why I've asked all the recent questions about your spray bars, and how you had configured the plumbing for your canister that drives your reactor etc.
I was considering doing the same, hoping to eliminate the sound of the gas pocket in my reactor, but also the escaping micro bubbles.

Anyway, you've explained that you've made a change, but may I ask why you've made the recent change to the plumbing on your centre canister?

And do you think, if I used a Y splitter after my reactor, creating some back pressure on the reactor, I may be able to eliminate the gas pocket and the escaping micro bubbles?

 

[Joel Armstrong]

 

[Yugang]

Post in thread 'Greggz 120G Rainbow Fish Tank - Part Deux!' Build Thread - Greggz 120G Rainbow Fish Tank - Part Deux!

So the reason behind all of my questioning, is that I was looking to further optimise my CO2.

I get a gas pocket that accumulates in my reactor, and during the latter half of the photoperiod, I get a few micro bubbles escaping the spray bar.. I'd like to eliminate both of these issues, if possible.

@GreggZ, I had read in one of your journals somewhere, that you had split the outlets from your reactor to create a little back pressure to the reactor. I had assumed this was to ensure that the CO2 dissolved more efficiently, and to eliminate any micro bubbles escaping. This is why I've asked all the recent questions about your spray bars, and how you had configured the plumbing for your canister that drives your reactor etc.
I was considering doing the same, hoping to eliminate the sound of the gas pocket in my reactor, but also the escaping micro bubbles.

Anyway, you've explained that you've made a change, but may I ask why you've made the recent change to the plumbing on your centre canister?

And do you think, if I used a Y splitter after my reactor, creating some back pressure on the reactor, I may be able to eliminate the gas pocket and the escaping micro bubbles?

Let me summarise how I optimised my vertical bubble reactor:

First I would operate it at relatively high water flow, that is with the bypass nearly closed. Inject as much CO2 as is needed to get to the targeted pH drop in the tank from outgassed. With this higher water flow I minimised the chance that a CO2 pocket builds up in the top of the reactor (would give noise, and reduce flow from the pump), but the downside is that some bubbles may be taken with the water flow and escape via the reactors exit into the tank. From here I would slowly reduce the water flow in the reactor, that means opening the bypass, until I start to see a CO2 pocket building up on the top. Then stop decreasing flow, and bring it back up a little bit. In my procedure, this is what I consider the vertical reactors 'sweet spot', where water flow and CO2 injected flow have been matched. If it is not possible at the desired CO2 flow to have both no bubbles escaping and no gas pocket in the top, then unfortunately the reactor cannot handle the CO2 flow and needs to be replaced.

I hope this helps.

 

[Joel Armstrong]

I've finally got around to swapping out the old soil.

I've kept dosing the same, CO2 the same, but lowered the lighting intensity to 50%.

I've put a black acrylic sheet at the rear of the tank also.. I did so without cleaning the glass, so currently showing a few streaks.

Small steps.

Those bl@@dy filamentous diatoms better not return again!!

 

[Unexpected]

I've finally got around to swapping out the old soil.

I've kept dosing the same, CO2 the same, but lowered the lighting intensity to 50%.

I've put a black acrylic sheet at the rear of the tank also.. I did so without cleaning the glass, so currently showing a few streaks.

Small steps.

Those bl@@dy filamentous diatoms better not return again!! View attachment 4276

Bam, now that looks good. Heck yeah, excellent choice to add the black background.

 

[Unexpected]

I’ll add, that Myrio looks plump!

 

[BigWave]

@Joel Armstrong what is this?


Tank is looking fantastic though and that orange OMG.

 

[Joel Armstrong]

Bam, now that looks good. Heck yeah, excellent choice to add the black background.

I've been wanting to add a black background for a while now, I just wasn't sure how to go about it. A precut piece of black acrylic did the trick.. no glue or paint... and no hassle.