Amendment to my Data

[FireMedic]

For anyone interested I have some new light to shed upon my breeding project water parameters.
I realized that I should really know what my parameters are in order for you to follow my work. I apologize for any grief, frustration or inaccuracies caused by earlier threads and posts.

So, here it is: Last water change (50%) 11-16-09

Todays results 12-16-09

pH 7.5

Ammonia 0 ppm

Nitrite 0 ppm

Nitrate <5 ppm

Hardness, KH 6

Phosphate, PO 3-, 4 5 ppm

Specific gravity 1.000

Temp 86.5 F, 30.4 C (I apologize for telling everyone that my water was 70 or so) I was using an inaccurate thermometer.

I found out that although the thermostats on the heaters are set for 72 F, the three pumps plus the ambient temperature of the basement, plus the fact that my system is uber-insulated, the water remains at 86.5 F. I am unplugging the heaters to see what happens to the temperature. I will report it in three days.

Respectfully,
FireMedic

 

[spotfin]

Still puzzled by the super low nitrate level.

 

[CrAzYNeSs]

I think the plans in his sump take it up as nutrients?

 

[spotfin]

What do you have for rays in your pond? Motoros, I just don't remember how many or their sizes.

 

[omojena]

couldnt you tell the water was warmer than 70deg when you fed them?

now im wondering if the high temps were what got them "in the mood"

also, what is the best before date on your nitrate test kit? im a little skeptical that just those few pothos you had posted in your other photo thread is enought to dentirify the waste that all those large rays would produce. if in fact the plants do take up that much nutrient out the water then removing nitrates is alot simpler that most people think!

 

[FireMedic]

The last time I tested the water parameters was 08/10/09. The data showed my nitrates at or below 5 ppm.

Yes the plants do wonders for my system, it is truly that simple.

I have a very large, >18 inch Female with a 10-12 inch male in the system right now. In 08/10/09 I still had an additional male and female making the total four Adult Rays.

I did notice that the water seemed warmer after I finished insulating but I did not think it would be that warm! WOW. I unplugged my heaters last night at 2130, at 0515 this morning the temp of my system was 82 F.

Respectfully,
FireMedic.

 

[SpeshulEd]

I'm going to be adding plants to my sump today, I'm hoping my nitrates end up where yours are.

 

[keepinfish]

How many gallons is that system? i have quite a few pothos in my sump too, but with weakly 80-90% waterchanges i am still at 60-80ppm nitrate

 

[spotfin]

Here is my pothos "crop". Tank is 6' long for perspective. Some of the vines are approaching 8'. My nitrates usually run around 20ppm, higher if I get behind on water changes.

 

[CrAzYNeSs]

Here is my pothos "crop". Tank is 6' long for perspective. Some of the vines are approaching 8'. My nitrates usually run around 20ppm, higher if I get behind on water changes.

Awesome picture. Are there any other plants I can throw in my sump (located under the stand) that are low/no light but don't grow quite as profusely as the pothos?