Subj : Re: The Mystery Almost Solved
To   : Michael Grant
From : Jeff Snyder
Date : Fri Jul 03 2009 01:40 pm

On 07/03/09, Jeff Snyder quoted Michael Grant: The Mystery Almost
Solved.

MG> It very likely is nitrates in the substrate that's the problem, but it's a
MG> lot bigger problem than a turkey baster or a gravel vaccum (which I /have/
MG> used recently) can take care of. That's why I need to do a teardown, to
MG> remove the substrate and completely clean it, in order to get the situation
MG> under control.


Just curious...Do you use undergravel filters in your tanks?

When I setup my 45-gallon tank again this past April, I decided to forego
using a UGF, and just laid down a sand substrate, over which I built a rock
pile full of tunnels and caves from one end of the tank to the other. All of
the large base rocks sit on smaller support rocks, which sit directly on the
glass bottom. This allows water flow under and all around the rocks. As for
the sand, my fish are constantly moving it and stirring it up, so there are
no anaerobic pockets as far as I know. Between my filtration system -- two
Penguin 330 Bio-Wheels each powered by a Penguin 1140 powerhead -- and
weekly water changes of 25% or more, my nitrate level has been very good at
0 to 12.5 mg/l. In fact, I never saw it that good in an established tank
when I was using UGF's.

In addition to my turkey baster technique, I also stay on top of making sure
that the filter pads don't become excessively clogged.

Just a few thoughts for your consideration.


Jeff Snyder, SysOp - Armageddon BBS  Visit us at endtimeprophecy.org port 23
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