Recent content by Captainjr

55 gal planted. Fish in cycle, 7 danios. 20 days in. 0.2 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 0 nitrate. pH 7.4. 78 degree temp. Eheim 3e canister filter. API master test kit. Just got some brown algae on the substrate and plants. Took out the carbon to see if ammonia comes up faster.

I am cycling my new tank, and put a carbon bag in the canister filter to absorb any remaining tannins from the driftwood. But the cycle is going very, very slowly. I am wondering if carbon impedes the cycle, absorbs bacteria or the bacterial starter I added, etc. I have read carbon is...

If you run it full time, you should not need anything else. Just plug it in. If you want to turn it off/on at certain times of day, get a timer too.

I just put a new 55gal tank together, and started with two Hydor Koralia 750s, alternating. Thought they were moving the plants and fish a bit much, so changed to the smaller 425 nano version which I think looks better in the tank. Inexpensive, and both have the magnetic suction cup mounts...

I don't feel I have enough surface agitation with my current setup. Plus the fish seem to like swimming through the air bubbles.

I know CO2 injection affects Ph, but I wasn't expecting such a swing. When running my CO2 I can drive PH from 7.5 down to 7. Is that normal, or is my water not sufficiently buffered?

So no need to use a cylinder of O2 when you can just use the air with an air pump. But I'm thinking finer air bubbles through a diffuser will dissolve better into the water with less surface disturbance. I just never saw anyone run air that way. Maybe I just need to find a better air stone.

I have read some sources that heaters should be placed diagonal as you have done, to maximize heat distribution. But I have my Eheim Jäger vertical, which is what it recommended in the heater instructions.

Can you run air through a CO2 glass diffuser to get a finer mist of air bubbles into the tank? Even my "fine" air bubble stone still puts out too many big bubbles.

Got the Neptune Apex for my new 55gal tank. It is awesome. Monitors Ph, Temp and ORP. But does anyone know what a good ORP range would be for a freshwater planted tank?

I just had exact same decision to make. Couldn't justify price for mp40, plus looks like you can't angle the head. So I went with Koralia 750 for my new 55gal fw tank. Not installed yet so can't comment on flow.