Aqua C EV 180

I guess its been about 2.5 weeks since I changed my water and the last readings were 10/30/4. I did check right after I changed the water and the nitrites were 0.15 vs.2, Nitrates 35 vs 50 phosphates about the same after 2.5 weeks. The longest I've gone was around 5-6 weeks. I don't think the nitrates got above 50. In the beginning they were around 80 with 100 + being the highest. The phosphates have been staying around 2. A couple of times it got down to 1.5 after a water change. For some reason I wasn't recording in my journal much during that 6 wks. When I started using my Tunze Streams 6000, the phosphates went off the chart again. So for now until we get the tank moved I am not using the Streams. I was about ready to get rid of it but then became determined that I was going to get it right.

Cindy

 

I wonder how starting the Tunze Streams caused the Phos to go up so high? Maybe it has something to do with O2 levels? Did you check your PH in the same periods?

Lots of questions and few answers aye LOL

" then became determined that I was going to get it right. "

That the spirit

John

 

The Tunzes were blowing the sand all around. I just think it upset my sandbed again. I tried it with just one but then decided I'd better leave it off. I have it turned down all of the way. The Tunze rep said I would be able to control it better with a multicontroller. They are suppose to be out with their new one the middle of this month. Once I get it in then I'll get them going again. I did check the pH during that time and it is always around 7.9-8.0. I use the Salifert tests and its just a tad less green than what the color chart shows at 8.0. These tests can be so wierd depending on what lighting you are in. I usually check it under flourescent lights unless its during the day and then I go outside and check it.

Cindy

 

Cindy,

I do understand as I have all sorts of trouble with those test kits LOL In my case it's probably old age

Thanks for the explanation of what the Tunze streams were doing, that actually makes sense. In some ways it's a pity because releasing the phos and using some phosguard to remove it permanantly might have solved a longer term problem. But having said that if they were blowing around that much sand it would have caused other problems I'm sure

John

 

The previous owner had Salifert kits. When my numbers were off the charts I bought a brand new set of Salifert test kits and still got the same numbers. I was hoping that maybe the other guys tests were just old.

I have been using Phosban. I think that's why my rates are lower. I was thinking of getting the phosban reactor. It sounds like it brings them down in a hurry, but I'd really like to get to the root of the problem.

Good night! Today was a long day and tomorrow will be even longer. It must be a full moon.

Cindy