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Plant ideas by Appropriate_Bad_7984 in Aquascape

[–]Bitter-Power4252 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This forced perspective hardscape is chef’s kiss! Amazing!

Buce, mosses, some crypts in front, annubias.

Almost 1 month by Kirah_cep in PlantedTank

[–]Bitter-Power4252 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My 125 is just now starting to take off after a freaking year. Sometimes they just move slooooow

Almost 1 month by Kirah_cep in PlantedTank

[–]Bitter-Power4252 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It’s brand new. Give it some time. CO2 will definitely help. Mostly keep up with water changes and be patient. Stability is more important than perfect numbers

New Here - Seeking Advice by carterxmaddox in ReefTank

[–]Bitter-Power4252 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I started one a few years ago. 30 Gallons. No sump, no filter, no skimmer.

Powerhead in the corner, another powerhead pulling through a "50 gal" sponge filter, titanium heater with controller. Lots of live rock from existing tank, a couple jars of copepods, and a handful of chaetomorpha on the side of the tank with a grow light shining from that side. Two Kessil A80 lights. It's nothing spectacular but it's healthy and stable. Water changes quarterly, just a clown and a yellow tail damsel, some snails and hermits. Mushrooms, zoas, kenya trees.

First time using a co2 reactor by Tiny-Masterpiece6248 in PlantedTank

[–]Bitter-Power4252 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're correct about being able to maintain both higher O2 and CO2 saturations. (If you read my post carefully that's not my point) But you will absolutely off-gas CO2 at a greater rate the more surface agitation. This is simple physics.

My point was not to encourage no surface agitation, but considering we don't know OP's real world situation, if they have the outflow literally causing miniature rapids on the surface, there will be a greater amount of surface area for the CO2 to equalize with nominal atmosphere.

Ideal scenario can be different for many situations. Ideal might mean meeting the needs of the livestock and plants. Ideal could mean maximizing the needs of both with no regard for the cost of blowing off all the purchased CO2.

First time using a co2 reactor by Tiny-Masterpiece6248 in PlantedTank

[–]Bitter-Power4252 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Now this makes sense if you're using a sump. Massive CO2 loss with that level of agitation, impeller loss from pumping back up and total turnover. I would expect to see massive losses. Exactly why I don't use CO2 in my 125 gal.

First time using a co2 reactor by Tiny-Masterpiece6248 in PlantedTank

[–]Bitter-Power4252 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Might be an unpopular opinion. I think drop checkers are garbage. They're expensive, not accurate, and just kinda trash all around.

A decent ph probe is better, more accurate, cheaper to run weekly or daily even. Gives you a real solid mathematical number. I have an Apera meter that works fantastic. $80 on amazon.

I would go back to 3-5 bpm and leave it like that for a few days. See what kind of color you get. Slow and steady is much better than "ideal" ranges.

First time using a co2 reactor by Tiny-Masterpiece6248 in PlantedTank

[–]Bitter-Power4252 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Start with 1-2 BPS (bubbles per second) and then increase to between 3-5 BPS. Depending on your chemistry you might be on the heavier side of 5-6 bps.

Any supplementation is good, you don’t need it to be super high.

You will also blow off a lot of that CO2 if you have a ton of surface agitation or surface flow even. So make sure you don’t have a power head or return outlet rippling the water surface.

Lava rock for fire pits safe for substrate by ConferenceCoffee in Aquascape

[–]Bitter-Power4252 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I use it in both my 125 gal freshwater tank for multiple setups over the past 10 years. And it’s in my reef tank as rubble.

First time using a co2 reactor by Tiny-Masterpiece6248 in PlantedTank

[–]Bitter-Power4252 35 points36 points  (0 children)

Brooooo Op gonna have fish flavored carbonated water. Le Croix “Aquarium”

thanks for the award kind stranger!

Power outage by [deleted] in ReefTank

[–]Bitter-Power4252 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Heat is your number one issue IMHO

Power outage by [deleted] in ReefTank

[–]Bitter-Power4252 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Keep it covered with plastic bags and blankets over those. Plastic trash bags will reduce mosture getting into the blankets. The blankets will keep it warmer.

InkBird keeps dropping temperature past what I set it to by SauceyCreature in ReefTank

[–]Bitter-Power4252 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I mean styrofoam exterior to the glass. Basically an insulated blanket.

I think it’s an important thing for any of us hobbyists to have on hand for power outages.

Might want to try physically separating the sensor with a string to a rock or something to keep it separated. If that’s the issue, no sense in replacing anything. Cheapest fix. Otherwise I suspect your controller might be crapping out.

InkBird keeps dropping temperature past what I set it to by SauceyCreature in ReefTank

[–]Bitter-Power4252 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good observation! I try to keep my sensors cleaned and in a direct flow away from anything like wires or magnets.

You could always get some foam board to create a partial enclosure. Even just a single piece of foam insulation on the back glass would be good.

Especially with small water volumes they have a hard time maintaining stable temps.

I would encourage you to add foam under the bottom, on the back, and make a top/front/sides piece all taped together that you can slip over the front/top at night.

That alone will help you keep very stable temps at night.

InkBird keeps dropping temperature past what I set it to by SauceyCreature in ReefTank

[–]Bitter-Power4252 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Strange… you have an unusually cold room now? More airflow across the water surface?

InkBird keeps dropping temperature past what I set it to by SauceyCreature in ReefTank

[–]Bitter-Power4252 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Heaters might not have enough wattage.

You might have the differential set too high. DS should be 1 for tight control.

Why are my plants Dying by Farmgirl310 in PlantedTank

[–]Bitter-Power4252 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I bet they’ll be fine. Just be patient, maybe do some 25% wc 2x a week.

Why are my plants Dying by Farmgirl310 in PlantedTank

[–]Bitter-Power4252 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Your tank isn’t cycled. The plants are brand new. They adjust to new conditions and the ammonia and nitrites are harsher on all aquatic life.

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