"Elaine T" wrote in message
m...
Well, the tank cleared up overnight. That litle nanofilter works
surprisingly well. I was awful glad to hear that I didn't do something
wrong. I guess I need to keep 2 filter pads in the nanofilter for a while
since I've got some more plants coming in and I'll have to stir up the bed
of Fluorite some to plant them.

Now that the water has cleared up, I like the look of the substrate a lot.
It looks better in the water than in the bag. I sure hope it helps to
grow plants as well as it's supposed to.

--
__ Elaine T __
__' http://eethomp.com/fish.html '__

You proved the point, the more you screw with fluorite the more fines you
get.

As I've said before, I switched substrate in one of my 55's to fluorite by
setting the bags on end in a half full tank, slitting the bottom and let is
slide out slowly. 1/3 of the tank at a time. With two Emporor 270's, I
added Acurel F, rinsed pads every 4 hours and it was nearly clear by
bedtime, completely clear by morning. Standard old fiber pads, stock less
the carbon and one in the second plastic holder that comes with the unit.
None of the clear chemical flocculents seem to work as well. A lot cheaper
and less hassle that a diatom filter.
Incidentally, the same treatment will clear green water too and and if you
move fast to correct the basic problem, you've got it cured. I've got a
second tank with an older laterite based substrate that has way more
problems with staying stable than my fluorite tank.

Bob