Labman

Test results for the last 2 days, are very good! Tank #1 NH3/NH4 = less than 0.01, No3 = 0, No2 = 0, GH = 0-25ppm, KH = between 120 - 180ppm. PH = 7.6 Tank #2 NH3/NH4 - 0.0, NO3 = 0, No2 = 0, GH = 75ppm, KH = between 120 - 180ppm, PH = 7.6 Tank #1 had more of the well water left in it when I changed over to the R.O. water, that's the only explanation for the lower GH #. I believe, that the tanks are ready for Shrimp, in another couple of days at least. Adding Cycle again today, take more readings tomorrow.

So, today I had my tank water retested at LFS, as expected, the P.H. (9.2) and Phosphates (2400) were off the chart! I checked with my Water Warehouse guy, it is Edmonton water, but it is d-chlorinated,filtered and runs through an R.O. cycle. Got home, netted what I could for fish from #1 tank and did a 85% water changed, Tank #2 got about a 90% change, as per another couple of suggestions, I added 5ml of API Amazon Extract to each tank. I also added a Marimo Ball to each tank. They have them for $9.95 at S.P. Petsmart. The Amazon extract was on sale also, $3,97 for 8 oz., I picked up 3 of them. I'll retest tomorrow, then as you have suggested, add Cycle, depending on the numbers.

After 30 drops of KH test medium, I quit trying to get the water to change from the blue color. The GH, took 26 drops to turn Lemon/Green, I know that the well is high SODIUM, which is probably why the GH KH test so high. You can't cook pasta or potato's with it, turns them to mush. I was looking for the receipt, but they were a light Blue, very pretty and about an inch+ long. Both tanks have had a 50% water change last Sunday, but, it was with my well water. I use "Water Warehouse" water for all the drinking and cooking here, it is just Edmonton city water, that is filtered and maybe it is R.O'd. I need to get house water today, so I will ask, if it is, I will do another 50% water change with it. I pick up 70 gallons at a time. I use the Wardley "Complete Conditioner", and a product that was made by Rx, "One Drop Superchlor". for the water buy. I did the 60 minute float, introduced tank water about every ten minutes, when released, they went to the bottom and were never seen again! That was Tank #1, the Shrimp, were larger than the fish in there. I will be netting all the fish out of # 1 today, the N02 and NH3 are respectable, I will continue to feed the bacteria over the next while also. I have quite a bit of Cycle on hand. Plus some of the "Quik Start. Mark

Thank-you jumpsmasher, very informative! My well is tested every May, but the test usually only covers Bacteria, e.g. E-coli. It was shocked 2 weeks ago, 5 gallons of Chlorine and 900 gallons of Edmonton tap water. the bacteria, wasn't high, but there was algae appearing in the toilet tanks. There is very little iron in it. The PH, right out of the tap is normally +9 and the water is incredibly soft. A bottle of Shampoo or dish detergent, last for months. LOL I have set up 2 x 10 gallon tanks for Shrimp, #1 is the oldest, about 3 weeks, it has 2 sponge filters and Horn wort, it was started with 15 baby platties and 12 of the Smallest feeder gold fish. Most of the fish, have survived, but the Horn Wort has perished! Tank #2 has the Matten filter, but it also had a Aqua "Mini" on it for 2 weeks, before I added 2 of the large feeder G.F., I will continue with the HOB, until I have Shrimp in it, it also has Christmas Moss in it. Both were started with the Seachem "Alpha", which is supposed to be a more concentrated version of "Prime". As well as doses of Nutrafin "Cycle". @05:45 today: Tank #1; P.H. = 7.6, N02 = 0.1, NH3 = 0.6, GH and KH off the chart. Tank #2; P.H. =7.2, N02 = 0.0, NH3 =0.1, GH and KH off the chart. Test done with a Hagen Master kit, some of the agents may be out dated, the GH and KH test were stopped after 30 drops had been introduced. I will take samples in to my LFS, for them to test against my findings. Thank-you again.

I've only just gotten back into the aquariums, but the information that everyone is willing to share on here, has impressed me to no end. I would like to thank, E90, great deal on a 55gal. tank, cuttymoto,a smoking deal on another 50 gal., and lovesfish for the mosses and the short lesson on keeping and breeding Shrimp. Of course, my old buddy Cassagrande, whom I met years ago, when we were both raising exotic Birds. A big thanks for answering all my questions, I'm sure there will be several more before I catch up to this new to me technology!

One bag was really clean, hardly any fines,the tank cleared overnight, the second bag, because I figured, what the hey, I barely rinsed, the tank has been running with 2 huge sponge filters and a 2213 since last Mon. night, still can't see the back wall! LOL

By kid, I meant male. LOL Might be, because I mentioned to him, how UN-friendly I thought he was, the first time I went there.

Might be, because I got the 22.7 bags of #9? Checkout girl, was a 20 something kid with black spiky hair. LOL

Looks good, I just picked up 2 pair of the Electric Yellows today. The lady had around 60 1.5 years old, probably 90 that were 6 months old. I got the males with the black strip and fins.

That's odd, I bought 2 of the 22.7 kg. bags of the #9 on Monday, S.I.L. charged me $10.71 a bag, tax in!

Very good reading, seems that the cure is hard to come by. As all the posts were from 2010 and older, has there been a supplier started in Alberta? It looks like Eugene has found a different cure, is it as effective?

Not wishing to offend, but, how does one look out for these worms, and where do they come from? I'd like to head off the problem, instead of curing it.

Great effect, I'm still trying to decide where to build mine.

I'm leaning towards the 2215, seems that will be more than enough for my setup. Thanks for the input everyone, great support on this forum.

They have a Rena "Filstar XP-S", includes all media, hoses and acc., whatever that would be, is this similar to the Rena XP2? The flow would be okay for the 55gal, with an ever increasing amount of foliage? This is what I have in mind for the tank, lots of plants, 2 pr. of Angels and as many cory's and loaches as I can find.