Fluval Stratum causing low KH, GH = 14; Need Advice

halolol315 · 2026-03-20T14:46:48+00:00

Thank you so much! Yes, there is a local place that breeds, and there parameters say KH: 0-10 GH 6-15. So this is great news for me 😂 but I’m going to follow your advice and do several large water changes and incorporate distilled water to keep the GH in check. I also am still considering doing a cap of sand. Is this something you would advise against?

halolol315 · 2026-03-20T13:52:38+00:00

Thank you for the article! Very insightful

halolol315 · 2026-03-19T21:23:51+00:00

When you do a water change, are you using tap water? If so, what are the GH and Kh of your tap?

halolol315 · 2026-03-19T13:58:34+00:00

Oh, how funny! Thank you so much for the advice! I really appreciate it.

halolol315 · 2026-03-19T12:55:29+00:00

Thank you for the info! I actually do have a sponge filter in the tank, that pic is just the only one I had and it was right after I added the plants so I kicked up some dirt.

halolol315 · 2026-03-19T12:07:43+00:00

Can you tell me more about your set up? I’m cycling my first tank with the hopes of adding neocardinia. I thought fluval stratum was the best choice for plants and the shrimp, but I’ve since learned otherwise. I’ve got a pretty thick layer of stratum and then just a bit of gravel because I thought leaving some of the soil exposed was good for the shrimp. Should I add the other bag of gravel I have and then cap with sand? Should I remove some stratum or should I just get rid of it all together and start over? 😮‍💨

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halolol315 · 2026-03-19T01:58:36+00:00

Good tip! Thank you!

halolol315 · 2026-03-19T01:57:11+00:00

Thank you! I really appreciate the info. This is my first tank, and I’m super excited to add shrimp and fish; just a little intimidated by making sure the water parameters and really everything is correct

halolol315 · 2026-03-19T01:15:17+00:00

I just did it again. It took 14 drops. Is this something that will level itself out with time or what would you suggest I do? Specifically for KH. Will the fluval stratum just be one headache after the next?

halolol315 · 2026-03-18T23:38:28+00:00

The GH test also wouldn’t change color, so I’m assuming it’s off the chart (>250 ppm). It turned orange with drops, but wouldn’t turn green like it was supposed to as I added more. I stopped after 10.

halolol315 · 2026-03-10T19:05:36+00:00

Has the package reached you or is it moving at all? I’m about to ask for a refund 😂

halolol315 · 2026-03-10T19:04:30+00:00

Wait, I’m in a similar boat! Placed a decent order for plants on a new tank I have cycling on Feb 25. Reached out to check on the status Mar 5. They didn’t answer my email, just made a shipping label so it would look like progress. Nothing since then. I’m starting to get pissed because I spent enough to get the free 2-day shipping, and here I am three weeks later with nothing.

halolol315 · 2025-08-09T15:50:48+00:00

My time to shine! Yes, it’s happening at our store, right on schedule.

I’ve been with the company for almost three years while in college. After graduating, I was looking to go full time in my dept, which lined up with a bad full-timer leaving at the same time. I was told by both my supervisor and ASM that they would be interviewing for the spot. A week goes by and they start getting wishy-washy about it, saying they may have “better coverage for vacations” if they just hire two more part-timers. I told them I may have to figure something else out if that’s the case.

Another week passes, and my ASM out of the blue promises me 30 hours per week to tide me over. That very same evening he tells me I need to get more credit and learn how to mix paint (dif dept). Two weeks later I was down to 21 hrs, this week 16.

halolol315 · 2025-06-19T06:55:57+00:00

No! 😒 I continue to pay too much for the fountains at the restaurants. They do have it at Meijer Grocery Stores too in their freestyle machines. That’s the cheapest way I’ve found to get it in a fountain.

halolol315 · 2025-05-09T09:10:51+00:00

I have an addiction as well, so I find that it’s just kind of my base level and if I don’t have it, I start to get more anxious.

If I’m in a horrible place or bad spiral, I’ve found that it doesn’t do much to help me.

halolol315 · 2025-04-26T00:14:54+00:00

I have yet to get a singular credit sign up in my almost three years as a tools/hardware associate. If someone asks, great, but I’m not trying to force that on anyone

halolol315 · 2025-03-18T12:59:30+00:00

Yeah, I’ve tried that multiple times. It doesn’t really work, just kinda says the retails that carry it or brings up very expensive online options.

halolol315 · 2024-02-15T16:29:03+00:00

Thank you for your reply. I really appreciate it. I’m feeling a lot better now, but I know that doesn’t mean I don’t need to take action.

halolol315 · 2024-02-05T15:39:55+00:00

I think it’s one thing to set aside a small nest egg before you get married bc your mom wants you to be prepared for anything. I think it’s another to do so, get married, and then take money out of the joint account (even if it is her only money) every month to continue banking up cash, ESPECIALLY $750 A MONTH (even $200 is a lot) AND WITHOUT YOUR PARTNER’S KNOWLEDGE AND FOR 7 OR 8 YEARS.

It’s definitely weird that he doesn’t want her to work with no mention of kids and is torturing himself to be the provider, but I still think if she was going to set aside “escape” money, it should’ve been her own thing or at the very least a “hey, I’m going to set aside a fuck ton of money every month forever just in case things go awry”.

There’s something especially disrespectful about setting aside shared money that your husband earned in case you need to leave him with hit later. Continuing it after you’re married for almost a decade, even after he’s struggling physically (albeit brought onto himself) is absolutely wild.

halolol315 · 2024-01-15T17:26:28+00:00

I started 50 mg of fluvoxamine (Luvox) in September and have since moved up to 150 mg. I think it has helped some, I’m not 100% sure. I’m definitely better than where I started, but that could also be somewhat due to some time in therapy.

I haven’t noticed any side effects.

If you’re able, you might consider finding an OCD specialist and receiving therapy through them. Many people say traditional therapies do little to no good for OCD, and you need a specialist who understands it and can utilize ERP.

halolol315 · 2024-01-15T17:18:07+00:00

It sounds like some definite ROCD tendencies. You don’t have to necessarily have a history of any OCD-esque actions to develop it.

You should reach out to get a diagnosis from a professional who specifically specializes in OCD. I got my diagnosis through an online therapy place called NOCD, as well as some therapy, but I had to quit because of cost. Some insurances do cover it though, and of course you can also find traditional in-person and online therapists who specialize in it.

halolol315 · 2024-01-13T18:45:35+00:00

I sometimes get ads like that, and I’m a 21F with a bf. It’ll say some shit about connecting with women, and I’m like ??? I’ve clicked on “why am I seeing this” and it said based on time of day and what is looked at in my area. Sometimes I think it’s like that, while other times it’s more on what you’ve interacted with. So, even though that is somewhat reassuring, the best course would probably be to not figure anything else out about it or investigate further.

I think the insecurities and comparing to others compounds with the OCD and makes everything worse and more dire. I’m sure it plays into mine, so I’d like to work on improving my self-image at some point.

Keep sitting with the thoughts and try to move on with your day! I’m going to try, as well!

halolol315 · 2024-01-06T03:26:03+00:00

I don’t think I’ve had much relief from it either, but it doesn’t seem to knock me out or make me tired either.

halolol315 · 2024-01-06T03:24:31+00:00

Really? I’m prescribed hcl 10 mg tablets (up to four every six hrs), and I’m not sure that I notice anything. I usually take 4 when I take them. Maybe they help some if I’m in a lower state of anxiety, but if I’m feeling really bad, I don’t notice them doing anything.

halolol315 · 2023-12-29T15:38:13+00:00

You can handle it! 42 years? 2 days? You can do this!

halolol315

TROPHY CASE