Proper conditioning
Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 6:56 pm
I need to run tests on my water still, but my normal GH and KH readings in the summer time get to about 3 deg GH and 3 deg KH. In the winter time they are less than 1 deg KH and GH.
Right now I am increasing temperature - it is at 82 deg F -28 deg C currently
Tank is 4 foot x 1 foot x 1 foot - 120 x 30 x 30 cm with a glass top to retain heat 40 US gal / 150 liter. 250 watt submersible heater.
Low light plants to help suck up nitrate as well as ammonia
Flow rate is 270 GPH / 1020 liters per hour which seems pretty fast. Provided by an Aqua Clear 402 power head on a river tank PVC filter design with two sponges that can easily be cleaned ( I will rotate cleaning every other week.)
Occupants - 5 zebra plecos - one male for sure the rest probably female
Slate Breeding caves made with smooth interiors - I have 4 in the tank now all facing the front for my visibility. 2 caves 4 cm wide and 2 caves 3.5 cm wide -I made 8 more caves that are not in the tank all 3.5 cm wide with same height and length dimensions - 2.5 cm and 11 cm.
The rest of decor consists of a thin layer of black volcanic sand and a large piece of bog wood that is planted with Java Fern and African water fern. I also have a single Anubius plant in there.
I turn of power head for 2 hours after lights out to feed. Plecos seem active at this point and go looking for food. They seem to hide more with the flow rate. They seem to really like my Brine Shrimp Flakes, and ignore many other foods I try to feed them
Any More suggestions for conditioning them or for a more conducive setup?
Right now I am increasing temperature - it is at 82 deg F -28 deg C currently
Tank is 4 foot x 1 foot x 1 foot - 120 x 30 x 30 cm with a glass top to retain heat 40 US gal / 150 liter. 250 watt submersible heater.
Low light plants to help suck up nitrate as well as ammonia
Flow rate is 270 GPH / 1020 liters per hour which seems pretty fast. Provided by an Aqua Clear 402 power head on a river tank PVC filter design with two sponges that can easily be cleaned ( I will rotate cleaning every other week.)
Occupants - 5 zebra plecos - one male for sure the rest probably female
Slate Breeding caves made with smooth interiors - I have 4 in the tank now all facing the front for my visibility. 2 caves 4 cm wide and 2 caves 3.5 cm wide -I made 8 more caves that are not in the tank all 3.5 cm wide with same height and length dimensions - 2.5 cm and 11 cm.
The rest of decor consists of a thin layer of black volcanic sand and a large piece of bog wood that is planted with Java Fern and African water fern. I also have a single Anubius plant in there.
I turn of power head for 2 hours after lights out to feed. Plecos seem active at this point and go looking for food. They seem to hide more with the flow rate. They seem to really like my Brine Shrimp Flakes, and ignore many other foods I try to feed them
Any More suggestions for conditioning them or for a more conducive setup?