I am so ashamed of the mistake I have made that I find it hard to even share with the people I have never even met.
But being the man I am I have no issues with being human and admitting my mistakes. After all we all learn from others as well as our own mistakes.
The 90 gallon tank I purchased from a yard sale isn't really 90 gallons.
I never questioned it being as I trusted the guy so I have been my own nemesis throughout my whole journey in setting up and running a nicely planted aquarium.
In finding out today when I actual measured the tank for myself as I questioned it with the canopy off I made some major adjustments.
Took almost everything out and did one super duper cleaning with a 25 gallon water change ( oh the tank is actually 60 I found out ).
Cleaned and trimmed all plants from algae that was on them. Cleaned all rocks and DW as well. Filter system down to removing all hoses and cleaning intake and return from canister too.
Rescaped the tank. Went to the local store (45 min away) and picked up a Kh test kit (57 ppm), phosphate kit (0-.25 ppm), and a new API Master Kit and now I have more accurate readings.
Ammonia 0-.25
PH 7.4
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10-20 ppm
I would always get 0 on the Nitrate with my old test kit. Can't find the exp. date on it or maybe the crystals are locked up?
Reduced some stock as well.
Everyone looks so happy now and I know I created my algae issue by overdosing ferts for my plants thinking I had a 90 gal instead of being a 60.
Learning experience (bows head in shame) for sure but feel so much better knowing everyone is happier now and plants are looking good too.
Sorry for the long post but had to get it off my chest. ?
Gone Fishing,
Dale
But being the man I am I have no issues with being human and admitting my mistakes. After all we all learn from others as well as our own mistakes.
The 90 gallon tank I purchased from a yard sale isn't really 90 gallons.
I never questioned it being as I trusted the guy so I have been my own nemesis throughout my whole journey in setting up and running a nicely planted aquarium.
In finding out today when I actual measured the tank for myself as I questioned it with the canopy off I made some major adjustments.
Took almost everything out and did one super duper cleaning with a 25 gallon water change ( oh the tank is actually 60 I found out ).
Cleaned and trimmed all plants from algae that was on them. Cleaned all rocks and DW as well. Filter system down to removing all hoses and cleaning intake and return from canister too.
Rescaped the tank. Went to the local store (45 min away) and picked up a Kh test kit (57 ppm), phosphate kit (0-.25 ppm), and a new API Master Kit and now I have more accurate readings.
Ammonia 0-.25
PH 7.4
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10-20 ppm
I would always get 0 on the Nitrate with my old test kit. Can't find the exp. date on it or maybe the crystals are locked up?
Reduced some stock as well.
Everyone looks so happy now and I know I created my algae issue by overdosing ferts for my plants thinking I had a 90 gal instead of being a 60.
Learning experience (bows head in shame) for sure but feel so much better knowing everyone is happier now and plants are looking good too.
Sorry for the long post but had to get it off my chest. ?
Gone Fishing,
Dale