Observation

imatrout

Prolific Poster
Apr 4, 2005
96
0
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I notice that lots of folks coming in here are kinda like me. They have some pretty good expeience with aquariums, but are new to planted (and especially high tech planted) tanks. Prior to juming into planted tanks, I'd mastered what it takes to raise and breed healthy fish. When you first start reading about the fertilization and chemistry involved, it's reallly kind of scary and counter to all the good habits of fish keeping. In the past, I'd always been proud of keeping pristine environments that perfectly matched what my species of fish evolved in. (at least as perfect as possible) Suddenly, I'm being told to add all these chemicals to my water and pump the tank full of CO2......that's kinda scary.

Fortunately, I have come to trust the advice and opinions of a few folks I've run across in the plant world (Tom and Greg being foremost). Once I realized I was not going to kill, injure or stress my fish with their recommended actions, it became much easier to perform the tasks they suggested and even to experiment a little on my own. I am now convinced that:

30 ppm of CO2 won't kill or stress my fish
Ph swings due to carbonic acid of up to .9 or 1 won't kill or stress my fish
Nitrates won't kill my fish
None of this stuff will kill my fish!

That is very nerve settling and opens the door for lots of plant fun versus stress.

So, if you are new to the hobby or a fish hobbyist crossing over to plants; for what its worth....it'll all be okay. Oh and they're not CHEMICALS anymore, they are NUTRIENTS!
 

Watcher

Junior Poster
Apr 16, 2005
23
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College Station, Tx
Re: Observation

I agree. The 30 ppm of CO2 gives me goosebumps sometimes.

My pupils dilate a little, breathing becomes heavy. I think..."I've read so often of carbon dioxide poisoning." Waking up. All fish dead. Complete annihilation. Fishy holocaust.

Nitrates bad! Uhm...bad?

Chemical compounds don't stress me that much. Though I hardly ever add any kind to any of my fish only tanks.

But there have been other times I have had firmly rooted beliefs in this hobby uprooted( is that a pun?). So I'll trust on greater wisdom than I possess.
 

[email protected]

Prolific Poster
Apr 24, 2005
72
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Vermont
Re: Observation

I have had the same experience getting over all the warnings about pH swings and co2. There is a lot of scary misinformation out there. I have had pH swings of up to .7 in a day with no problem and I have had co2 up over 54ppm with no problem as long as the water was well oxygenated.

Bill
 

srozell

Guru Class Expert
Jan 24, 2005
110
0
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Re: Observation

imatrout said:
That is very nerve settling and opens the door for lots of plant fun versus stress.

So, if you are new to the hobby or a fish hobbyist crossing over to plants; for what its worth....it'll all be okay. Oh and they're not CHEMICALS anymore, they are NUTRIENTS!

Yeah, unfortunately since I figured this out my shop has accumulated numerous 50lb bags of "let's try this chemical" chemicals!