Friday's AP system

[kellenw]

I've read other things that agree with Rew that aquarium gravel is evil. I removed most of mine this weekend, and scraped as much as I could of the remaining this morning. There's still probably 1/4 cup of the stuff left that I'll try to get this week.

The main reason you hear people complain about aquarium gravel is because they put WAY too much in, so it becomes a rotting detritus trap. It should really only be about 3/4 to 1 inch deep maximum. There are benefits in having shallow gravel. Beneficial bacteria will colonize there, providing a buffer to some degree should you have a power failure and are unable to run water through you GB's. Some fish need it or at least strongly prefer it for spawning (assuming you want spawning to occur in your FT). It provides some habitat for tiny crustaceans like scuds (a great little detritus eater and free food for your fish). Particularly in an AP system using an aquarium, it just looks nicer.

[Frydaze1]

The main reason you hear people complain about aquarium gravel is because they put WAY too much in, so it becomes a rotting detritus trap. It should really only be about 3/4 to 1 inch deep maximum. There are benefits in having shallow gravel. Beneficial bacteria will colonize there, providing a buffer to some degree should you have a power failure and are unable to run water through you GB's. Some fish need it or at least strongly prefer it for spawning (assuming you want spawning to occur in your FT). It provides some habitat for tiny crustaceans like scuds (a great little detritus eater and free food for your fish). Particularly in an AP system using an aquarium, it just looks nicer.

But everything I've read says that it's known for raising pH, and right now I'm completely unable to get my pH below 8, so I think getting rid of the gravel will help. Additionally, I'm only raising ornamental fish in a 30 gallon tank, so breeding isn't an issue here.

Yes, it looks nicer. And, yes, it does give everything a place to settle and bacteria a place to grow. Hmmm... What if I put expanded clay in the bottom of the aquarium? *It* doesn't cause high pH problems, and it should give the same benefits as the gravel did, right? And I happen to have some already rinsed and ready to go.

Thoughts?

[kellenw]

I don't have issues with rising pH associated with gravel. I even use a combination of crushed coral as well as gravel in many of my tanks. The coral should raise it even more than just gravel alone. I do use algae filters though, and they will tend to lower pH quite a bit. Since I raise and breed tilapia, every rock in the tank probably gets sucked up and spit out at least once a day, probably more, and since it is a thin layer I don't have to worry about trapped detritus at all. I try to keep my tanks at a pH of 7.5.

I may have missed it, but have you tested your tap/source water pH yet?

[Frydaze1]

My tap is 7.4, but I usually run it through the britta filter before putting it into the FT which drops it down below 6. I'd say 75% of the water in the FT right now is through the britta filter.

I can't get my FT below 8. When I add acid to drop it, it pops right back up.

Please tell me more about algae filters?

[Crusty]

Righto, back to normal feeding but go easy. Only what they can eat while you watch, once in the morning and once at night.

If you can not get your hands on a stronger acid or prefer not to use it, start adding 10ml per day of lemon juice. This will need adjusting later.

[Frydaze1]

Quick update:
Adding acid (even though they were really small doses) seems to have killed off the bacteria.
I'm going to leave the *&#$ thing alone and let it find its own balance. Worrying doesn't help. Fiddling makes it worse. The fish are happy and the plants are... well... they're alive.
I'll check back in if anything of interest happens.

[Frydaze1]

Update:
pH remains stable at 8.1
Ammonia and Nitrites are undetectable. Nitrates are present but negligible.
Basil is thriving
Tomato plant is growing well
Pak choi and Cress are growing, though more slowly than expected
Garlic chives are dying
Fish are happy

And I've developed a leak at the drain fitting in one of the growbeds. The thought of emptying everything out of there and disconnecting it all and sealing it up... I really, really don't want to. I've been slathering it with silicone, but of course that's supposed to be applied to a DRY surface, so it's not working terribly well. Though it seems to have slowed the leak, at least.

I'm home all day today, though, so I might just have to bite the bullet and do it. Grrrr

[Frydaze1]

Updates:
My pH is *finally* starting to drop. It's currently at 7.8 and lowering slowly but steadily.

BIG update:
I'm getting a "real" system! A guy announced on another AP forum that he was moving, and giving away his system to whoever wanted it. It's a raft system with a 340 gallon FT. It's currently up and running, including fish. As fishfood says: If it's free, pick it up. Well, okay, I've made plans to pick it up! It won't be free by the time I'm done renting a truck and everything, since it's about 4 hours drive from me (one way) but that's a fairly minor consideration.

So now here's the real question:
He's going to put the fish (in the 1" to 5" range) all into a 55 gallon drum for transport. What is the best way to get these poor fish 4 hours down the road in a barrel in the back of a moving truck? What might I do in terms of air and stress?

[Privatteer]

I've heard of people using clove oil to sedate fish for transport. But also seen at least one case reported were too much was used and the fish were rubbed raw against the bottom of the tank.

Dc air pump, eg like this and a temp wire to cigarette lighter/the car battery, good investment anyway for a backup power fail system.

How many fish? If a lot a few extra containers eg coolers so less per liter would help.

[Frydaze1]

Hmmmm... I'm not sure how I'd wire it to the lighter, since I've just about settled on using a moving van in order to get the components home. So they'll be in the trailer with no real access to the cab. But I could put a car battery back there. And that IS a great idea for a backup.