What did you do to your tank(s) today?

[JayP]

I keep the farm tank on the "work" side of the basement. The current tank's light is hung from the floor joists but I didn't want to do that with it's replacement, so I'm mounting brackets to the wall. A multi-axis auto leveling laser comes in real handy for such occasions . Brackets are now up and I've run a new electric outlet to this wall. Getting closer to actually putting something in the tank.

 

[JacksonL]

Can’t wait to see how straight and square your planting is!

 

[Kwyet]

The 125 is ready to go. The fish and plants are in Rubbermaid tubs with filtration running. @Naturescapes_Rocco ’s tank is coming tomorrow! It was a lot of work, but I’m so excited! I decided that I’m going to try something new after all. I’ve never done an island scape, so it’ll be a fun, new thing.

 

[gnatster]

Murphy visited today.

I've been ordering parts to set up a UNS 45AS. The ATO arrived, 2 power plugs, no pump. I called BRS Fresh. The customer service rep was laughing; an earlier call was a person with 2 pumps and no power plug. A new one is on the way, they said, keep the other one, woohoo, spare parts.

Not tank-related, but also frustrating. Ordered a DVI to DisplayPort adapter to plug the third monitor into the new PC that replaced the one on which the smoke came out on Monday. Shipped a DVI to HDMI.

 

[JayP]

Murphy visited today.

I've been ordering parts to set up a UNS 45AS. The ATO arrived, 2 power plugs, no pump. I called BRS Fresh. The customer service rep was laughing; an earlier call was a person with 2 pumps and no power plug. A new one is on the way, they said, keep the other one, woohoo, spare parts.

Not tank-related, but also frustrating. Ordered a DVI to DisplayPort adapter to plug the third monitor into the new PC that replaced the one on which the smoke came out on Monday. Shipped a DVI to HDMI.

My driftwood order, which was shipped from a town just 2.5 hrs south of me, went from Springfield, MO to St Paul, MN. Less than 6 months ago, a package sent to me from Florida arrived at the KC USPS distribution center and then also got sent to St Paul. USPS has just become a complete carnival of incompetency.

 

[JayP]

Time to expand the RO water storage.



After traveling 1200 miles for what should have been a 145 mile trip. my driftwood has arrived, wrapped in a near impenetrable cocoon. Took some effort to free it. It will likely be used in my 60 breeder or the WB 4820 when I get to them.

 

[Kwyet]

Since I have a larger tank now, I ordered five more Denison Barbs/Roseline Sharks to fill out the group, which arrived today. It’s a good thing they were next day delivery, because the bag split a seam. There were 4 lucky fish still alive in about 1/3 cup of water, and one unlucky one that was stuck in a wrinkle out of water. I couldn’t acclimate them with such a small amount of water, so they went straight in the quarantine tank. So far they’re doing fine, and the Wet Spot generously gave me a refund even though I forgot to take 2 pictures.

 

[bizo]

A month ago I bought a chihiros dosing pump after my cheap chinesium failed me twice leaking like half of bottle of micro fertilizer in tank ... Now is tank again in recovery mode. All the staurogyne reppens threw away its leaves, other plants are on survival//algae mode etc ...

Also upgraded RODI from 125 to 600 gpd so water changes can be less painful.

 

[Beza]

Coming towards the end of my new tank's dark start period, I set up the CO2 system yesterday, only to run into various problems - solenoid at first didn't work, then struggling to get a constant bubble rate dialed in due to the bubble counter being wobbly. But now it kinda works, so now trying to dial in the amount of CO2 and when to start it, while the tank is still empty. Using a little self-made Yugang spraybar (or open reactor), so it is double exciting to see if it all works out as I hope. Additionally I am struggling to read the results of the CO2 drop test I bought, since the indicated colour on the test result sheet is nowhere close to what the actual test shows.
Will be spending today with one eye glued to the bubble counter and the drop checker!

 

[bizo]

Coming towards the end of my new tank's dark start period, I set up the CO2 system yesterday, only to run into various problems - solenoid at first didn't work, then struggling to get a constant bubble rate dialed in due to the bubble counter being wobbly. But now it kinda works, so now trying to dial in the amount of CO2 and when to start it, while the tank is still empty. Using a little self-made Yugang spraybar (or open reactor), so it is double exciting to see if it all works out as I hope. Additionally I am struggling to read the results of the CO2 drop test I bought, since the indicated colour on the test result sheet is nowhere close to what the actual test shows.
Will be spending today with one eye glued to the bubble counter and the drop checker!

better measure pH drop in water after co2 dosing vs without dosing ... get yourself some decent ph pen. At least 30 eur ... those cheap yellow chinese are crap ... and learn about measuring co2 saturation with ph drop (ph/kh). There is plenty of posts and articles about that (2hraquarist e.g.).

Drop checker is even less accurate method. You opt for 1ph drop after co2. For some kh under 4.

 

[Beza]

Thanks for the suggestion, but I decided against getting a(nother) of those pens since their electrodes don't last that long, and need re-calibration every so often to not show bogus. Last but not least, ph drop can be influenced by things apart from co2 addition, as far as I read. So for now I'll stick to the drop checker and drop test I have, besides I am only aiming for about 15-20 mg/l anyhow as my tank is a nature style setup.
I only started the CO2 about 3h ago, and the drop checker is beginning to change colour, so I think I am on the right way

 

[bizo]

I don't know man. Ph method is "bread and butter" in this hobby.

I have my pen in KCl solution and doesnt need that much calibration. And i check it regularly.

Most have like 30+ ppm. Its like 1-1,5ph drop.

 

[Beza]

Yes, I've noticed that at least in this community going by ph drop is "the way". I am kinda straddling the fence as I am also reading in a german forum, where a fair few people advise against ph sticks and to use a drop checker instead - I am already going above and beyond with that extra drop counter test I have, similar to the Hannah test being recommended in this forum. But I am not in a hurry yet, I can spend a few days to sort out the co2 setup if need be.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

See my post here on pH drop, DC's, and Hanna test kit!