Hi all,
I have been playing around with my Mazzei for the last few months and actually PURPOSEFULLY induced algae and poor growth by shutting down the c02 for a week.
I wanted to see how the tank reacted and the timing to go bad and then get back to healthy conditions. I used many species, which are detailed in the slideshow
I am totally convinced now that c02 really is the root of >90% of all growth and algal issues... At least I have proven to my own satisfaction...
Please Tom keep hammering this home...........You have my support....
I had been using the mazzei to get dissolved c02 and was not using the mist effect as much.
I feel that plant growth/pearling is better with this method, although it does use a bit more c02 IME.
Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket
You would never know it but there are at least 250 cardinals in there, with about 50 more in quarantine........
I really like the mist method and the tank turned around once c02 was established at an optimal level in about 2-3 weeks. Had melting, GSA, BBA, diatoms, poor growth, etc.
As the c02 came on more, algae began to reduce and new growth stayed healthy. Once the algae STOPS growing, I got ruthless and trimmed any bit of algae.
I kept my regular dosing and wc schedule as below.
2 weeks later, tank is very healthy and plant growth is really starting to get going. I have raised my lights 8" and reduced light by about 40% PAR.
Now running min to max about 30-175 micro moles based on shade, location, etc.
Am still in grow out phase, as some plants, as you see are just a stem or two.....
Once these catch up, I can replant......
One anecdote re: pearling and 02 addition.
At one point the valves in my plumbing were set so that my two overflows were out of balance. The left weir was reduced about 4 inches and the other was normal.
This caused my Nu-clear 547 bio canister to drain about 50% each day, and produced a ton of 02 (I assume) via the waterfall and the half empty canister.
Well, the pearling was just RIDICULOUS!!! Was almost 24/7 with or w/o lights. Just more intense during lights and c02 on. Even if I swished all plants to release clouds of bubbles, were covered again quicky.
Some stems were unidentifiable due to being covered with pearls. The substrate even pearled when disturbed at an incredible rate. Mosses were shiny and covered with bubbles.....Every bit of moss, algae, etc on any rock or driftwood even pearled.
Once the valves were readusted and the flow returned to normal, pearling again was the same as before the valve change. No more substrate pearling, etc.
So I think some support for pearling as an indication of 02 saturation????
Please correct any mistaken assumptions or facts on my part.
Later,
P.S. Dosing EI at 2.5 tsp K and 2 tsp P 3x weekly. TPN about 20-30 ml 3x also. 80% weekly water change. 1.5 tsp gh booster with WC. Prime and excel added on WC day..
I have been playing around with my Mazzei for the last few months and actually PURPOSEFULLY induced algae and poor growth by shutting down the c02 for a week.
I wanted to see how the tank reacted and the timing to go bad and then get back to healthy conditions. I used many species, which are detailed in the slideshow
I am totally convinced now that c02 really is the root of >90% of all growth and algal issues... At least I have proven to my own satisfaction...
Please Tom keep hammering this home...........You have my support....
I had been using the mazzei to get dissolved c02 and was not using the mist effect as much.
I feel that plant growth/pearling is better with this method, although it does use a bit more c02 IME.
Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket
You would never know it but there are at least 250 cardinals in there, with about 50 more in quarantine........
I really like the mist method and the tank turned around once c02 was established at an optimal level in about 2-3 weeks. Had melting, GSA, BBA, diatoms, poor growth, etc.
As the c02 came on more, algae began to reduce and new growth stayed healthy. Once the algae STOPS growing, I got ruthless and trimmed any bit of algae.
I kept my regular dosing and wc schedule as below.
2 weeks later, tank is very healthy and plant growth is really starting to get going. I have raised my lights 8" and reduced light by about 40% PAR.
Now running min to max about 30-175 micro moles based on shade, location, etc.
Am still in grow out phase, as some plants, as you see are just a stem or two.....
Once these catch up, I can replant......
One anecdote re: pearling and 02 addition.
At one point the valves in my plumbing were set so that my two overflows were out of balance. The left weir was reduced about 4 inches and the other was normal.
This caused my Nu-clear 547 bio canister to drain about 50% each day, and produced a ton of 02 (I assume) via the waterfall and the half empty canister.
Well, the pearling was just RIDICULOUS!!! Was almost 24/7 with or w/o lights. Just more intense during lights and c02 on. Even if I swished all plants to release clouds of bubbles, were covered again quicky.
Some stems were unidentifiable due to being covered with pearls. The substrate even pearled when disturbed at an incredible rate. Mosses were shiny and covered with bubbles.....Every bit of moss, algae, etc on any rock or driftwood even pearled.
Once the valves were readusted and the flow returned to normal, pearling again was the same as before the valve change. No more substrate pearling, etc.
So I think some support for pearling as an indication of 02 saturation????
Please correct any mistaken assumptions or facts on my part.
Later,
P.S. Dosing EI at 2.5 tsp K and 2 tsp P 3x weekly. TPN about 20-30 ml 3x also. 80% weekly water change. 1.5 tsp gh booster with WC. Prime and excel added on WC day..
