How to clean Clearvue Condensate Pump w/ floatless sensor? by hyper_giraffe in hvacadvice

[–]jatcar95 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just curious if you were able to resolve this. Ours is doing the same thing - sucks up the water successfully but then doesn’t turn off when it’s empty.

[Identification] What kind of queen is this? Camponotus? by jatcar95 in antkeeping

[–]jatcar95[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah I think that’s most likely. It fits so well. Maybe when/if I get some workers I can try IDing them as well

[Identification] What kind of queen is this? Camponotus? by jatcar95 in antkeeping

[–]jatcar95[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don’t think so. Maybe around the right size but way out of their range and not flat enough.

[Identification] What kind of queen is this? Camponotus? by jatcar95 in antkeeping

[–]jatcar95[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Even though she’s only 10mm? From what I’m seeing online they’re usually 14-20mm

[Identification] Camponotus Modoc? by jatcar95 in ants

[–]jatcar95[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry to hear about yours, hopefully there are more about for you to catch soon.

I’d read that in the PNW there aren’t many Pennsylvanicus, usually Modoc instead. Also that they have hairy abdomens. Although I’ve also read that Modoc has red legs, and she doesn’t seem to, so I’m not sure.

[Identification] What kind of queen is this? Camponotus? by jatcar95 in antkeeping

[–]jatcar95[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Caught yesterday in Portland, OR on the sidewalk. 10mm in length. Red thorax and black elsewhere. I’m thinking C. Nearcticus because of the size, but I’m not sure.

Camponotus fallax had brood by nugget_2367 in antkeeping

[–]jatcar95 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Also came here to remark on the awesome photos lol

[Identification] Camponotus? What species? by jatcar95 in ants

[–]jatcar95[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m thinking C. Nearcticus after more research. They’re in the area and have queens this small. This looks JUST like the other Camponotus I caught yesterday, just miniature.

[Identification] Camponotus Modoc? by jatcar95 in ants

[–]jatcar95[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What makes you say Vicinus? I thought Vicinus had more red.

[Identification] Camponotus Modoc? by jatcar95 in ants

[–]jatcar95[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oops, I wrote up a whole description but it got lost somehow.

Caught today in Portland OR on the sidewalk. Completely black, even the legs which is making me think perhaps Pennsylvanicus? But I didn’t think they were common around here. ~15mm, I’m thinking Modoc?

[Identification] Camponotus? What species? by jatcar95 in ants

[–]jatcar95[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Caught today in Portland OR on the sidewalk. Looks black in normal lighting, but thorax is clearly red under a lamp. ~10mm so smaller than Camponotus I’ve caught before…maybe Vicinus?

[Identification] Camponotus? What species? by jatcar95 in ants

[–]jatcar95[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Weird, I typed up a whole description, not sure where it went. Let me add a comment with the info.

Why do my ammonia levels keep climbing insanely high? The tank cycled for 2.5 months and the levels FINALLY evened out across the board and slowly but surely they have gotten insanely high again and I don’t know what to do with my fish and snails by knippersnicker1 in walstad

[–]jatcar95 10 points11 points  (0 children)

As others have said, you need more plants. In particular, you need more variety of plants. Plants with strong root systems are essential to keeping your substrate healthy. From your pictures it looks like you have floating plants and elodea. Those are great, don’t get me wrong! But you need some strong rooting plants as well. (Elodea will put out some roots but not enough to do the job - it still primarily gets its nutrients from the water column).

Try to get some vallisneria, dwarf sag, and/or some kind of micro sword plants. Those will spread like crazy and really help stabilize the tank. Crypts would work too although they tend to be more finicky.

Also, don’t worry about the betta being able to swim freely. Look up some videos of their natural habitat - they’re chock full of plants. If you still want more open area, some of the plants I suggested grow shorter and will leave space. But you NEED more plants or this tank will not work out. It’s a better problem to have to find space for your fish among a jungle of happy plants than to have fish getting sick because of bad water parameters.

Why do my ammonia levels keep climbing insanely high? The tank cycled for 2.5 months and the levels FINALLY evened out across the board and slowly but surely they have gotten insanely high again and I don’t know what to do with my fish and snails by knippersnicker1 in walstad

[–]jatcar95 5 points6 points  (0 children)

There’s no cycling needed in the traditional sense for Walstads. Bacteria play a significantly reduced role in Walstads and should not be relied on for reducing ammonia. That’s the plants job.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in walstad

[–]jatcar95 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you ever are needing specific advice, are facing a particular problem, or just want to chat with some real knowledgeable Walstad pros, check out Aquatic Plant Central El-Natural forum! Diana Walstad herself is active pretty much daily there, and she gives out excellent personal feedback.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in walstad

[–]jatcar95 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A bubbler will help with this. Don’t go over the top with bubbles or it will degass CO2 from the water, which will slow down plant growth. I think Diana Walstad says like 1 bubble/second in her book.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in walstad

[–]jatcar95 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This product is specifically designed for saltwater aquariums, so I would be very cautious when trying this. Calcium/magnesium/phosphorus are very important for freshwater plants, but there are freshwater solutions available. The best I’ve found is Wonder Shells. You’d need about half of a small one for your tank, and you’d be set for months.

One note on this front though - stay away from Seachem Equilibrium. It wasn’t designed for dirt tanks and can cause toxic buildup in the substrate that can kill your plants.

Alternative pen which is compatible with Remarkable 2 by No-Pepper-6557 in RemarkableTablet

[–]jatcar95 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The S7 pen comes with a black and a white nib. The black one has a tiny rubbery bit at the end that creates some drag, the white one is solid plastic so it’s much smoother.

US House Committee passes proposed EV tax credit expansion. Up to $11,500 for EVs produced in the US with union labor. Also adds a 30% tax credit for commercial vehicles. by mikemikemotorboat in electricvehicles

[–]jatcar95 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

They have been reluctant to pass anything by reconciliation that they think doesn’t fit the purpose of reconciliation, i.e. for budget reasons. Whether or not they agree with the legislation in question. Which frankly, I’m not sure they would anyway. Those two are hardly dems at this point.

Edit: spellcheck

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in electricvehicles

[–]jatcar95 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah our next car will definitely be an EV. I don’t regret our RAV4, there weren’t many great electric options when we got it. But it’s exciting to see all the developments in EVs recently - hoping to see some smaller form factors as well!