FishProfiles.com Message Forums

As most of you know It was confirmed that I had bad eco-complete containing calcium carbonate and phospates. My p04 readings are in the stratosphere.

So after I recently planted my tank with the stuff I am awaiting my new EC from carib-sea and will have to take out the bad stuff. So right now my plants are looking pretty good but I know the algae issues are right around.

I guess at this point I'll have to do a complete WC to get rid of the old stuff.





My Scapes

I hear you Tetratech.. It's a lot of work. On the good side, you will get to replant ! (and inspect the root growth of your plants)



The Amazon Nut...

True, the roots look really good, bright white and full.
Actualy now that I have to take the tank down, I'm thinking of upgrading my 46 to a 72 gallon. What my new eco coming all I need to get is the new tank. Everything else I have will work with the 72. My light is 192watt so that will still give me 2.7 wpg on the 72. I think that should be enough for a 22inch deep tank.

My Scapes

As you have just changed your dosing schedule (EI) and the plants are doing good, why not keep it up and see how it goes without changing the substrate? You can always replace the substrate if you feel like the algae is coming back, but in the meantime you can store the new EC and see how things go and save yourself all the bother of changing the substrate. I know that your main reason for wanting to change the substrate is the phosphate, but maybe you can look at it as saving you the need to dose phosphate which you will need otherwise?

As for the 4ppm of phosphate, I have never tested my tank for phosphate, but according to Chuck's calculator I add enough phosphate to my tank to get it to 6-7ppm and I see no algae, so I don't think 4ppm of phosphate should worry you, especially if all is going well.

As for the EC you will be getting, you can either use it for another tank in the future, or sell it on ebay and buy something you've always wanted.

This is my opinion, at least. I would give the EI a chance before tearing down everything.

Untitled,

That's a very logical reply based on the information I've been giving you, but after reading more about the bad EC situation I think my po4 level is more like 40 ppm, not 4 ppm. The Hagen test kit I have only measures up to 5 ppm. I guess they didn't anticipate someone dumping a milky liguid of calcium carbonate and phospates into their tanks.

Also when I look through my tank the long way it has a hazy white look to it which I'm pretty sure is the effect of the calcium, limestone, etc. I've also had some unexplained cases of ICK. I know high po4 can stress fish adn believe me this po4 is high to say the least.


I've been thinking about a bigger tank for a while with large schools of tetras and the 72 would suit me well. I think I have everything I need but the tank and a glass canopy.

Last edited by tetratech at 18-Sep-2005 15:15

Last edited by tetratech at 18-Sep-2005 15:42

My Scapes

gud luck