Petshrimp.com Discussion Forum

9/12/06: Maturing The System

Water params:

NitrAte: 15 ppm (maybe a lil higher)
NitrIte: 0 ppm
PH: 7.6
GH: 150 ppm
KH: 130 ppm (im guessing its still the same as yesterday, and that my test kit isnt real acurate.
Ammonia: Same as yesterday, although I am unsure as to the actual reading. The color comes up as a greenish brown, on a yellow too deep green chart. none of which match.

I have come to the conclusion that I didn't add enough Ammonia, but only time will tell. I'll wait for that nitrIte or nitrAte rise.

Added 3 ML of Ammonia (after the water test)

My Ammonia is of an unknown concentration, so I am unaware of how much will be needed to get a desirable reading.

I used an old liquid test kit to test Ammonia incase my dip strips were faulty, and I am still un sure of the actual reading, but I suspect it is at least 1 ppm. Its possible my ammonia had some kind of additives in it so it is throwing off the readings. Hopefully that is not the case, but we shall see in time.

I pretty much figure that the ammonia is either very low, or very high given the colors im seeing.

***

NeonShrimp,

This is my first *real* time trying an only ammonia/bio media cycle, but my friends article says around 10 days.

He also says the trick is to raise the ammonia to 5 ppm right away. Hehe, i'm not sure if my level is much lower or higher then that right now.

-John (AKA: The Puffer Ninja)

Your "old" kit is likely to be MUCH more accurate than any strips. I contacted Aquarium Pharmaceuticals and all of their kits except for just a few have a 5 year expiration date. They are probably good for the average hobbyist for even longer, but I won't make any promises.

Your ammonia readings suggest that you are off the scale on the high end for ammonia, so I would back off on adding any more at this point.

I would sit tight and just test the water daily for the next week without adding any more ammonia until you begin to get readings within the range of the test kit.

YuccaPatrol wrote: I would sit tight and just test the water daily for the next week without adding any more ammonia until you begin to get readings within the range of the test kit.

hehe, you read my mind!

Yep, as soon as I see some nitrAtes or nitrItes I should start adding more.

Oh, when I say my "old" liquid test kit, I meant that it is like 7 years old lol. I hadn't used it in a while since I lost the color chart, but I found it today

I'll keep you updated.

-John (AKA: The Puffer Ninja)

9/12/06: Decor

I added some ancient rock, that at one point was live rock in a SW tank. I found it while rummaging around. I must have gotten at a garage sale back when I used to collect sea shells. So I gaveb em a thourough rinsing and plopped em in there.

Also added some drift wood. It is a few months old, and sinks to the bottom so most of the tannins are gone.

Alls thats really left for decor is getting some rocks from around the house, some lace rock, and I am debating about adding Java fern and moss.

Oh, Ammonia reading was lower tonight then it was this afternoon. Still pretty high, lower then it was.

Pics: (sorry the pics are so brite, I dont have a light fixture for this tank yet, and I used a lamp as a light source for this pic)




-John (AKA: The Puffer Ninja)

What type of shrimp are you thinking about adding to this tank?

Neonshrimp wrote:What type of shrimp are you thinking about adding to this tank?

I think Neonshrimp is asking because many species of shrimp will just about disappear against a light colored background. Against a dark background, shrimp really look their best.

My "show" tank has the red and black fluorite and it is very good at hiding the cherry shrimp. It had previously been a planted fish tank and I didn't consider that switching to a black or darker substrate would have been preferred. . . .

Nice tank. Just curious if you tested the rocks for calcium carbonate, by using vinegar. Or at least test the pH before you added the rocks and also after you added them, to make sure they are inert.

Neonshrimp,

I have decided on Glass shrimp, and Cherry shrimp. I have yet to decide on the ratio yet though. Slight possibility i'll put M. lanchesteri in there too, but thats a bit crowded I think...

YuccaPatrol,

That is a good point, i'll have to see how they show up. I am getting a blue background for the tank, as well as adding quite a few darker rocks, plus the leaf litter. I may do a layer of gravel in the back, followed by larger stones. I was kinda inspired to try this after reading Takashi Amano's nature aquarium article.

Maybe its just me, but I love the look of sand.

Crazie.eddie,

Thanks

I did not test the rocks by using vinegar, can you describe how you do this?

I am about to test the water, i'll post the params soon.

Although, I plan on Glass shrimp and cherrys, and the glass shrimp like hard alakaline water. So if those particular rocks end up buffering the water, I will not be worried. Perhaps it will even help stabilize a PH level.

I have a bit more decor to add, i'm going for a creek bed-ish look. You shall see in time


-John (AKA: The Puffer Ninja)

9/13/06: Maturing the system / Decor

Params:

NitrAtes: 20 ppm ( a good sign )
NitrItes: 0 ppm
GH: 150 ppm
KH: 130 ppm
PH: 7.6
Ammonia: Lower then yesterday, roughly 4.0 - 5.0 ppm.

The fact that the nitrAtes went up is a good sign. It must be the filter cartridge I transfered into the tank.

I collected a lot of rocks from around the house. I am going to boil them today, to disinfect them. They are probably safe to put in after a thourough rinsing, but I don't want to take chances.

I went to collect leaves...and then I realized that I hadn't a clue what an oak leaf looked like I decided just to grab a few random leaves, and one type turned out to be a certain type of oak I think. It has rounded edges. From what i've read, its safe to use any leaf, but oak decomposes the slowest. The leaves I collected went to the sunk to the bottom of the bucket right away, probably because it just/is raining. So I went ahead and put em into the tank. Worst that could happen is they provide more nutrients for the tank cycle.

Oh lol, if people are wondering why I have so much time for this, I am home-schooled. I am kinda turning this into a biology/chemistry project. Hehe, homeschooling has its perks

-John (AKA: The Puffer Ninja)

You can test most rocks for calcium by using an acid. Vinegar is commonly used. When you put the vinegar on the rocks and it fizzes or bubbles, that means the rocks has some kind of calcium carbonate present. But it looks like the pH results show there might not be none. Monitor the pH closely if it rises slowly over a days or weeks, then it may be due to the rocks.

He does not need to test that (formerly) "live" rock. I can even tell from the picture that it's basically a coral skeleton, in which case it's pretty much pure calcium carbonate. If you are keeping shrimp that require alkaline water, then you want calcium carbonate in your tank to buffer the ph in the alkaline range, unless your water supply already has plenty of calcium and carbonates in it (i.e. "hard" water).

Ah, thanks for the clarification Mustafa.

That had been my thinking originally, but I was also curious about how to test for calcium carbonate.

Those aren't actual coral skeletons, but close enough. I do have some coral skeletons in my SW tank, but I wan't to keep this tank looking "natural".

I'll be adding more rocks soon, and those formerly live rocks will be more of the "odd balls" in the tank, just to make it a lil more interesting.

I'll keep you updated.

-John (AKA: The Puffer Ninja)

9/13/06: Decor

I bought a hydro sponge, but I had to rig my own "base" for it by using an old UGF return tube filled with gravel.

Removed one of the old sponges.

Added some gravel and stones, creating a gradient like effect.

Added some more leaves, and more are soaking.

I decided not to boil the rocks...I figured I was putting leaves that came off the same ground in there...I may pay for it later though... I did give the rocks a soaking and scrubbing though.

I put some plastic plants in as well.

I think i'm done with decor, but feedback is apreciated. I'm not sure if there is to little or to much decor lol

pics:





-John (AKA: The Puffer Ninja)

My RCS Tank was set up with a bare bottom, Sponge filter, and alittle Java Moss.

There are now, 2 sponge filters, and alot more Java Moss.

This set-up worked for me.

It depends if you want to Show it or Breed in it.

John

I wanted to do a lil of both; a tank that looks nice and is productive.

-John (AKA: The Puffer Ninja)