November 20th 05, 02:51 PM
Hi GF fans,
I'm having another brainstorm, and want to bounce it off of you. My
testing resulted in an amonia spike as well as a Nitrate spike, with
reasonable Nitrite levels. I got both under control with my recent change
out, but want a more permanent solution to the problem. I understand that
plants will take care of the remaining part of the nitrogen cycle. I also
know that my fish will eat the heck out of them, and just produce more
waste, breaking down into more amonia and aggravating the problem more.
Here is what I propose to do about it. Please tell me if you thing this
will work.
Create a second tank on a strong shelf above my main tank. Use some of the
water from my main tank to get it started when I do my next change out.
Keep this tank strictly for aquatic plants, and create a system to
circulate the water from one tank to the other in a loop. I figure an
overflow hole with hose connected will run the water from the upper
(plant) tank to the lower (main) tank. And a powerhead will supply the
upper (plant) tank with the nutrient rich water from the main tank. This
feeds the plants, and give the fish better water quality.
Hopefully!???????
I got this idea from watching the old man that lived next to me as a
child. He used to have 50 large tanks in his basement for breeding angel
fish, and this is how he kept his tanks clean and easy to manage. It also
made it possible for him to remove the fish without fighting the plants to
catch them. This seems like a great way to isolote the beneficial plants
from my vorocious GF's. And I can always clip a few pieces of for the boys
as a treat now and then.
Does anyone else use this system? If so, how well does it work? Are there
any unique problems that it creates? Are there any other benefits you
could see from doing this?
--
With all due respect
Kevin
I'm having another brainstorm, and want to bounce it off of you. My
testing resulted in an amonia spike as well as a Nitrate spike, with
reasonable Nitrite levels. I got both under control with my recent change
out, but want a more permanent solution to the problem. I understand that
plants will take care of the remaining part of the nitrogen cycle. I also
know that my fish will eat the heck out of them, and just produce more
waste, breaking down into more amonia and aggravating the problem more.
Here is what I propose to do about it. Please tell me if you thing this
will work.
Create a second tank on a strong shelf above my main tank. Use some of the
water from my main tank to get it started when I do my next change out.
Keep this tank strictly for aquatic plants, and create a system to
circulate the water from one tank to the other in a loop. I figure an
overflow hole with hose connected will run the water from the upper
(plant) tank to the lower (main) tank. And a powerhead will supply the
upper (plant) tank with the nutrient rich water from the main tank. This
feeds the plants, and give the fish better water quality.
Hopefully!???????
I got this idea from watching the old man that lived next to me as a
child. He used to have 50 large tanks in his basement for breeding angel
fish, and this is how he kept his tanks clean and easy to manage. It also
made it possible for him to remove the fish without fighting the plants to
catch them. This seems like a great way to isolote the beneficial plants
from my vorocious GF's. And I can always clip a few pieces of for the boys
as a treat now and then.
Does anyone else use this system? If so, how well does it work? Are there
any unique problems that it creates? Are there any other benefits you
could see from doing this?
--
With all due respect
Kevin