Tiny discovery that is definately worth sharing.

FireMedic

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Dec 13, 2007
805
36
61
Middle of somewhere, Oulu Wisconsin
An additional note to the cuttings health; for the first 7-10 days they appeared "shocked" by the sudden change of venue. They were limp and a few dropped leaves. As of today they have obviously produced many leaves and the turgor pressure in the stems is AMAZING. They are as stiff as celery. -FM
 

Nic

Peacock Bass
MFK Member
Oct 8, 2005
15,790
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119
outside philly
looks great bro....
 

abortedsoul

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Sep 4, 2008
1,154
1
0
MD, USA
FireMedic;2107057; said:
I have three rays in 300 +/- gallons so bio load isn't actually too bad...water is filtered through 33 vertical gallons of biofilter before it reaches the plants.
Do you have pics posted?
 

spotfin

Silver Tier VIP
MFK Member
Jan 2, 2006
4,744
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Maine
Intersting study you have going FireMedic. I've got a "jungle" of pothos vines in my ray tank. Really haven't noticed a great decline in the nitrate level, although the plants are growing well. I'll get some pics of my tank tonite.
 

FireMedic

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Dec 13, 2007
805
36
61
Middle of somewhere, Oulu Wisconsin
It has been 90 days +1 since my last water change.
I have just completed a 1/2 volume water change (180 gallons)

Utilizing an API test kit kept in 70 degrees ambient temp: 01-26-09
H2O temperature, 78 degrees
NH3, NH4+, zero (no definitive color readable higher then zero)
NO2-, zero (no definitive color readable higher then zero)
NO3-, 3ppm*
pH, 7.2

* the color present in the test-tube was somewhere between 0 and 5ppm. I placed my best guess at 3ppm.

Utilizing an API test kit kept in 70 degrees ambient temp: 09-06-08
H2O temperature, 76 degrees
NH3, NH4+, zero*
NO2-, zero*
NO3-, 2.5*
pH, 7.4

* values similar to findings 01-26-09 as noted in above (*) statement.

A chemical filtration component utilized is "Seachem Matrix Carbon" in a Fluval FX5. This too has been in operation for 90+1 days continuous.

I did add water to the system twice in these 90+1 days to ensure pumps did not cavitate. It is well water from my faucet.
I removed no water in 90+1 days.

I did not perform this experiment recklessly or hastily. I was willing to accept any and all consequences from my actions based on an educated awareness that no harm would come to my rays. he rays were observed almost 4 times daily for a period of 30 minutes each.

The male has been "chasing" the girls rather vigorously the past 3 weeks and no one lost their appetites or ever showed signs of listlessness.

These are my findings and nothing more.
Respectfully submitted,
FireMedic.
 
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