Overview:
I have a 30 gal. setup that I recently converted to a plant tank w/ fish as a strategy to reduce nitrates and create a more natural feel. I introduced some laterite to the gravel and I'm seeing improvement in the plant growth but still high nitrates, around 60ppm. That’s really not terribly high but I want the plants to maintain it as close to zero as I can, and build my bio filter for good cycling. Also my ph is less than 6 and I am trying to raise it slowly. The cheep co2 gen. is not hooked up because I am not sure my water hardness and exact ph. Most plants are really healthy and new growth is visible even from 2 bulbs. Fish seem totally normal but the ph is not exactly right for some of them. I have a list of things I will be improving. I was just seeing if anyone had suggestions or words of caution when tampering with co2, nitrates, ph, and water hardness. I'll post some pictures when I get some responses.
Question:
Basically I want to maintain a ph of 7 (obviously reaching that very slowly with buffers safe for plants) and set up my co2 gen. without ph flux. Also the nitrates are not a huge issue because the fish are well used to it by now. So any suggestions from looking at my setup?
I have a 30 gal. setup that I recently converted to a plant tank w/ fish as a strategy to reduce nitrates and create a more natural feel. I introduced some laterite to the gravel and I'm seeing improvement in the plant growth but still high nitrates, around 60ppm. That’s really not terribly high but I want the plants to maintain it as close to zero as I can, and build my bio filter for good cycling. Also my ph is less than 6 and I am trying to raise it slowly. The cheep co2 gen. is not hooked up because I am not sure my water hardness and exact ph. Most plants are really healthy and new growth is visible even from 2 bulbs. Fish seem totally normal but the ph is not exactly right for some of them. I have a list of things I will be improving. I was just seeing if anyone had suggestions or words of caution when tampering with co2, nitrates, ph, and water hardness. I'll post some pictures when I get some responses.
Question:
Basically I want to maintain a ph of 7 (obviously reaching that very slowly with buffers safe for plants) and set up my co2 gen. without ph flux. Also the nitrates are not a huge issue because the fish are well used to it by now. So any suggestions from looking at my setup?