Wooo Hooo! - Nitrates at 5 ppm and Phosphates at 0.1 ppm

[KurtG]

Well, that only took me 3 months to figure out. Thanks for all the
suggestions. I think the big thing was to get rid of the bio-balls and
filter material. Amazing that my anemones made it through all this.

Are water changes still necessary? I haven't done one for 6 weeks as
I've been trying to get the diatoms to burn out. Should I just do a 10%
change every month for good luck.

Now, if I could just get the diatoms to bugger off...

--Kurt

[Pszemol]

"KurtG" > wrote in message ...
> Well, that only took me 3 months to figure out. Thanks for all the
> suggestions. I think the big thing was to get rid of the bio-balls and
> filter material. Amazing that my anemones made it through all this.
>
> Are water changes still necessary? I haven't done one for 6 weeks as
> I've been trying to get the diatoms to burn out. Should I just do a 10%
> change every month for good luck.

Do water changes only with RO/DI water.
If you use tap water you would reintroduce phosphates/nitrates
to the tank from the water.

> Now, if I could just get the diatoms to bugger off...

Try replacing your DI cartridge with HiS type optimized to remove silicates.

[George Patterson]

KurtG wrote:
>
> Well, that only took me 3 months to figure out.

You set up a phosphate reactor, right? Where did you find the fittings for the
1/2" hose it takes? I'm having trouble getting mine together.

George Patterson
If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess
to anything.

[Pszemol]

"George Patterson" > wrote in message news:fP9Bh.2092$hp4.421@trnddc02...
> You set up a phosphate reactor, right? Where did you find the fittings for the
> 1/2" hose it takes? I'm having trouble getting mine together.

What fittings are you talking about?
It comes with barb hose fittings, you just slide 1/2" ID hose over them.
Other end of the hose you slide over outlet of some Maxi Jet powerhead.

[KurtG]

Pszemol wrote:
> "George Patterson" > wrote in message
>> You set up a phosphate reactor, right? Where did you find the fittings
>> for the 1/2" hose it takes? I'm having trouble getting mine together.

Like Pszemol said, mine came with the barbs, and I discovered that a rio
90 power head is perfect for a 1/2" hose and creates the right flow.
It's not a barb, but just a straight jacket.

Lowes also has a decent collection. I've used them quite.

--Kurt

[George Patterson]

Pszemol wrote:

> What fittings are you talking about?
> It comes with barb hose fittings, you just slide 1/2" ID hose over them.

Yeah. Now that hose is pointing out over the top of the tank. I need a 90 degree
ell to make it go down into the tank through the plastic cover strip at the
back. Same thing for the outlet.

George Patterson
If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess
to anything.

[George Patterson]

KurtG wrote:

> Lowes also has a decent collection. I've used them quite.

Thanks. I'll check them out later today.

George Patterson
If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess
to anything.

[Pszemol]

"George Patterson" > wrote in message news:MOjBh.26$CG5.20@trnddc03...
>> What fittings are you talking about?
>> It comes with barb hose fittings, you just slide 1/2" ID hose over them.
>
> Yeah. Now that hose is pointing out over the top of the tank. I need a 90 degree
> ell to make it go down into the tank through the plastic cover strip at the
> back. Same thing for the outlet.

Any Menards/Home Depot or similar store should stock sprinkler
system fittings. And you can buy 90' right angle elbow with two
barb hose ends. I was thinking about buying them, but my 1/2 hose
was coiled so much, that when I cut a pieces they had a perfect round
bend causing 90' turn on about 5 " radius so I do not need elbows :-)

[George Patterson]

Pszemol wrote:

> Any Menards/Home Depot or similar store should stock sprinkler
> system fittings.

I went by Lowes today, and they had them. The only thing Depot had was stuff for
sump pumps; thicker material, and, somehow, the manufacturer's idea of 1/2"
isn't the same as some others.

George Patterson
If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess
to anything.