the saga of the green water (pg2)

[Jen]

I just tested my water again, and the pH is 6.6, and the kH is 6. So I'm running at 45mg/l, and going by that chart, it's too high. Should I worry about reducing them, or what can I do?

 

[George Farmer]

Told you it worked!!

Disconnect from the diffuser. Run an airpump if you have one with an airstone to drive off the CO2. If not alter your filter outlet to maximise surface agitation.

Do your fish look OK? One sign is "drowsiness", if real bad they gasp at surface.

Looks like you could use less yeast. Try 1.5 spoons next time - should give 30ppm if my calculations are right.

 

[Jen]

from what I can see (which is very little due to the green water) they are all swimming just fine. I'm just doing a mini water change and I will feed them right after and see how they act.


How long should I run the airstone for?

 

[George Farmer]

Hour or so. Test again and see.

 

[Jen]

cool. that's doable.

When i test again, and if its gone down, what should I do with the co2 mix? leave it or start over with the new recipe?

 

[George Farmer]

Up to you. Personally I would do another mix. Experiment with different yeast levels to acheive your 30ppm. Leave sugar, bi-carb and water qtys. constant.

Don't forget that pH levels will change over time i.e. night and day. You do remember that don't you?

Good luck. x

 

[Jen]

Yep... I remember that pH changes. And I'm not worried about it after my fish survived a 7.6 - 6.2 drop overnight a while back.

I have no problem changing the solution... it's better to waste some sugar than risk my fish.

 

[George Farmer]

Yep... I remember that pH changes. And I'm not worried about it after my fish survived a 7.6 - 6.2 drop overnight a while back.

I have no problem changing the solution... it's better to waste some sugar than risk my fish.

I mentioned the pH change more for your CO2 measuring - although fish health is obviously priority. The CO2 will be highest just before lights on and lowest just after lights off. Ensure the level stays below 35ppm i.e. your pH shouldn't go below about 6.7 when testing just before lights on.

I've got to say that I'm surprised that this DIY set-up is so effective even in a 90G. I'm just glad you're benefitting (hopefully).

 

[zig]

Yeah i have to say im happy with my DIY results, im running 2 hagen ladders and a diy mix and am now getting very consistant results.

Like gf said canoechiq just experiment with the yeast element of the mix, try a little less to bring the ppm down, its a bit hit and miss the first few times, if you dont get it right just change the mix, its cheap, just remember when you put on a new mix that the first bubbles you see coming out are only going to be the air coming out of the bottle and the tubing, then after a while the co2 will start coming out as the brew kicks in.

Once you get it right, just be consistant always use exactly the same amounts of sugar water yeast and bi carb the next time you make the mix, and you will get nearly the same ppm next time as well.

And dont wait for it to run out on you change it regularily, and that way you will always have a good cheap supply of co2.

Best of luck with it

 

[Jen]

George... you are my new best friend!

Today, with 1.5 tsp yeast, my co2 is at 24! Thanks so much for this recipe/bottle plan thingie.

Now all I have to do is wait for this pesky green to go away and my tank will be back to normal!

 

[Jen]

I'm a little worried about my fish. I'm only seeing my platties and my danios. I can't see deep enough into my tank to see if my baby barbs and catfish are still alive. I don't know what I should do here.

 

[George Farmer]

Test regularly for ammonia and nitrite. If the worst has happened and they are dead then you will see a spike. Stop feeding for a few days. When you resume feeding hopefully you will see your "lost" fish.

You say you can't see deep enough into the tank - is that due to your green water? If so why not perform lots of water changes?

 

[Jen]

Yeah... its due to the green water. I'm doing 15% changes every other day. I don't know how much I should be doing, but that's what a guy at my lfs told me to do.

I can see back about 8 inches, and the tank is 24.
Ammonia and nitrites were fine yesterday. I'll test again tonight.

 

[George Farmer]

You can change at least 25% a day if you can be bothered.

 

[Jen]

Yeah? I can easily do that (thanks to my friend the Python)

I'll start that tonight.
Thanks again.