My 20 gallon build thread

[mommytron]

this mornings readings:
ammonia- .25
nitrite- 5.0
nitrate- ~5.0

started dosing a cap full of ammonia yesterday (will be dosing daily)

might be able to add fish next week!

 

[Etunes]

Actually i would just let it go, there is really no need IMO to dose the ammonia, but it wont hurt anything.

 

[BigJim]

Just keep the ammonia levels up. Dose as needed. Hopefully you'll have to dose daily to keep levels up. That means your bacteria are doing their jobs.

 

[mommytron]

right, you're supposed to keep feeding the bacteria ammonia to prevent them from dying, right? no ammonia, no food for bacteria. right?

 

[BigJim]

Exactly.

 

[Etunes]

O wait, scratch what i said. I forgot i use the fish food method and that method keeps producing ammonia. lol

 

[MartinBlank]

mommytron,

Where did you get your pool filter sand? I am having trouble tracking it down around where I live.

Thanks

 

[Crepe]

No offense intended. Tree-hugging is only bad when people take it to major extremes. I'm an outdoorsman and I fully appreciate the environment. It majorly pisses me off when I find trash lying around because people are too stupid to care. Banning those plants seems a little ridiculous to me, but you have legislate to the lowest common denominator, which in this case is people who dump organisms into environments they shouldn't be in. I feel the same way about the snakehead ban. Most species won't survive in northern climates, but some idiot had to go and dump Northern snakeheads into Lake Michigan and some Cook county forest preserve lakes. They're Siberian and will survive the winter. As a result, all snakeheads are banned. Once again, no offense, either to Vermont or environmentally responsible people.

Salvinia was rightfully banned. It's ugly and highly dangerous to other wildlife.

 

[mommytron]

mommytron,

Where did you get your pool filter sand? I am having trouble tracking it down around where I live.

Thanks

Quikrete Pool Filter Sand, 50 Lb # 115350 by Quikrete Company
i bought it at aubuchon hardware, which is a new england hardware store. i'm sure other hardware stores would carry it too. my bag looked a bit different than the one in the picture, but it's the same thing.

Arch Chemical 61308 Pool Filter Sand 50 Lb this could also be used

 

[mommytron]

today's readings:

ammonia - <.25 before dosing
nitrite - ~.75
nitrate - 5.0

almost there!

 

[Etunes]

Movin along

 

[MartinBlank]

Quikrete Pool Filter Sand, 50 Lb # 115350 by Quikrete Company
i bought it at aubuchon hardware, which is a new england hardware store. i'm sure other hardware stores would carry it too. my bag looked a bit different than the one in the picture, but it's the same thing.

Arch Chemical 61308 Pool Filter Sand 50 Lb this could also be used

I found the Arch Chemical at my local Ace and bought a couple bags of that. Thanks!

 

[Jmpcontrol]

today's readings:
ammonia - barely a trace before dosing
nitrite - 0.5 ppm
nitrate - 5.0 i was expecting more nitrates but i have a feeling because i have plants it won't get much higher.

hoping to add fish on thursday!

EDIT: whoops! this is mommytron, the hubby never signed out..

 

[mommytron]

you're welcome, MartinBlank, glad you found some! i'm curious to know the look of the Arch Chemical PFS, can't wait to see pics!

 

[Etunes]

lol, i was like what in the world who is this guy. I see you have infected the hubby.

 

[mommytron]

LOL yea, i think he finally got sick of me going on and on in fish talk and him having close to no clue what i'm talking about. he's getting really into the hobby and wants to be able to help out and take care of the tank(s) when i'm not able to .

 

[mommytron]

today's readings:
ammonia - <.25ppm before dosing
nitrite - somewhere between 0 and .25ppm i think... not really sure, it's a weird gray color
nitrate - between 5 and 10ppm

 

[BigJim]

Almost there. Another day or so and you'll be ready for fish!

 

[mommytron]

yes! i'm so freakin excited if the lfs i just called gets some cardinal tetras in tomorrow i will be picking them up!!!! (hubby said not till saturday, but the LFS has a wednesday special, 2 for 1 fish!!! gonna have to convince him i *need* to get them tomorrow) as long as nitrite is 0 in the morning, that is. but the rate it's been dropping i'm pretty sure i'll be good to go!

 

[BigJim]

I wish my LFSs had 2 for 1 day! Just do a big PWC before you go get the fish.