Days 1 & 2:
Day 1: Finally finished the stand and got the tank set up with Eco, water and some decorations. Got the XP2 hooked up and in-line heater. Tons of tiny air bubbles everywhere, but they're easily aggitated to remove.
As for the XP2, set up is incredibly simple, sound is almost nil. I'd say the only complaint I have is the cheap plastic air bar and intake connections. I actually cracked 1 of the intake segments which didn't matter too much cause I didn't need all the sections length wise. I just wish their connection points were a little more solid.
Overall, the water is clearer than I expected for such a short time. I've read how people have had problems with the intake being so strong it sucked fish to the intake. This made me worry because my intake is so non sucky (for lack of a better term). But water has got to be moving cause the the output is flowing well, enough to disturb the substrade since I have the spray bar positioned vertically. (Bottom hole is right near the substrate).
So end of day one, we just kinda stare at the tank in awe of how fun it all is to see it come together. No leaks & pretty level, I'm happy. Turned heater up to 80 and added a droppler of ammonia to get things going.
Day 2: Grabbed my seed material and squeezed it around in the tank, then put it in the lower compartment of the canister. Still no leaks, nice clean looking water, still bunch of air bubbles around but easily removed by hand. Now to water tests. My eariler post describes a test of Ph (only test I seemed was relevant of just tap water, now I think I should have tested my tap for Nitrate.)
So we tested ammonia after my 1 droppler, not much change, still pretty much nil. So I dosed 3 more dropplers, tested a few hours later and up to 3-4 which is what I was going for. Ph, dunno what affected my Ph so much, but it went from what my tap was (7.6-7.8) to now we're at Ph low 7.6, Ph high it's bright purple which doesn't match up too much on test card, but I'd say 8.4?? Would the Eco have that affect? I know stable better, so I'll just keep an eye on it.
For fun we tested Nitrite and Nitrate. Nitrite 0. Nitrate 20-40, closer to 20. I'm wondering if the Nitrate results are more from the tap water than the established media. We'll test tommorow and such to get a better idea.
I think I'm more worried currently about the Ph than the cylce as I have the patience to see that through.
Not sure if there's anything you all can advise till we wait a bit and test some more. But I figured I'd give an update. If anyone has actually read this far thanks so much.
Pictures definately to come soon. We're loving this adventure.
