Cycled

[Grimley_Feindish]

Since I posted here last on Saturday I've seen my Amonia levels drop to
zero, the Nitrate levels go off the scale and now (this evening) tested
below 0.3mg/l so I guess the tank has cycled (it's been four weeks) with
just plants and no added ammonia :) PH is stable at 6.8 and temp at 26c.

Now the cycle is over is it a good idea to do a water change before adding
any fish and will this help get rid of the outbreak of brown algae that has
suddenly appeared (I guess due to the sudden increase in Nitrate)?

Regards

--
Alan

[MartinOsirus]

>Now the cycle is over is it a good idea to do a water change

YUP.

[Geezer From Freezer]

MartinOsirus wrote:
>
> >Now the cycle is over is it a good idea to do a water change
>
> YUP.

brown algae is probably caused by silicates in your water. My tank is
overwhelmed with
with brown algae (diatoms) and my nitrates are relatively low period!

[Grimley_Feindish]

"MartinOsirus" > wrote in message
...
> >Now the cycle is over is it a good idea to do a water change
>
> YUP.
>

Thought it might be :) I have a day off tomorrow so have plans to do the
water change in time for a couple of fish on Sunday.

Would the excess of Nitrate be causing my plants to get really leggy or are
they reaching for the light (not sure what sort they are). They must have
grown at least three inches since last Sunday (seriously) but seem a bit
'stretched'. I only have one 30w tube at the moment but have another starter
and fittings due to arrive shortly so will be able to double this up.

I've also seen details of a Hagen CO2 reactor, any body used one of these
and have any views on them? They seem to be a lot cheaper than the gas
bottle set ups (about a tenth of the price) which is definately an
attractive feature.

--
Alan

[NetMax]

"Grimley_Feindish" > wrote in message
...
> "MartinOsirus" > wrote in message
> ...

<snip>
> I've also seen details of a Hagen CO2 reactor, any body used one of
these
> and have any views on them? They seem to be a lot cheaper than the gas
> bottle set ups (about a tenth of the price) which is definately an
> attractive feature.

Although rated for a 20g, my experience with them is that you will see
very good results with your 33g (especially when you go to almost 2w/g).
They are basically a commercialized DIY yeast activated CO2 canister
system, but with a radically better CO2 diffuser than anything you could
build. For much larger tanks, use 2, serviced alternately. There are
those (serious plant enthusiasts ;~) who use their own bottle, replacing
the bottle which comes with the system, but keeping the CO2 diffuser.
The yeast/activator mixture needs to be purchased periodically. There is
also home recipes of the mixture which are on the web. They are cheaper,
but your results will vary, some even claiming better results, others not
as good. I have no practical experience with the home brews. The
newsgroup archives of r.a.f.plants will have more information if you need
it.

NetMax

> --
> Alan
>
>

[Grimley_Feindish]

"NetMax" > wrote in message
. ..
>
> "Grimley_Feindish" > wrote in message
> ...
> > "MartinOsirus" > wrote in message
> > ...
>
> <snip>
> > I've also seen details of a Hagen CO2 reactor, any body used one of
> these
> > and have any views on them? They seem to be a lot cheaper than the gas
> > bottle set ups (about a tenth of the price) which is definately an
> > attractive feature.
>
> Although rated for a 20g, my experience with them is that you will see
> very good results with your 33g (especially when you go to almost 2w/g).
> They are basically a commercialized DIY yeast activated CO2 canister
> system, but with a radically better CO2 diffuser than anything you could
> build. For much larger tanks, use 2, serviced alternately. There are
> those (serious plant enthusiasts ;~) who use their own bottle, replacing
> the bottle which comes with the system, but keeping the CO2 diffuser.
> The yeast/activator mixture needs to be purchased periodically. There is
> also home recipes of the mixture which are on the web. They are cheaper,
> but your results will vary, some even claiming better results, others not
> as good. I have no practical experience with the home brews. The
> newsgroup archives of r.a.f.plants will have more information if you need
> it.
>
> NetMax
>

Thanks for the info. I've got one on order so will see how it goes and put a
note on here in a few weeks.

--
Alan