Recent content by Dan_P

Recently, I became interested in the chemistry of my aquarium's substrate and wanted to test for ammonia in the 0 to 0.2 ppm range. I bought several hobby kits, hoping to find one with this type of sensitivity. Salifert, Elos, Seachem and API were the kits I chose to test. Ammonia standards...

I don't have an orthogonal method like TDS to prove my concentrations are correct, so, there is a possibility of an error. I will check out the HACH tests. I agree with what you say about the use of the Hanna checker but possibily you misunderstood the purpose of the use. Since the color of the...

I took the feedback and performed the analysis again. I dissolved 5 g of ammonium chloride in RO water to a volume of 50 ml. I then performed serial dilutions to obtain standard concentrations of ammonium chloride. The amount of ammonia for each standard is calculated by multiplying the ammonium...

I had a chuckle when you said "...but you really messed up." Yes, i did forget to multiply the 16 ppm by the ratio of molecular weights (DUH). Guilty, I chucked 5 g ammonium chloride into 50 mL of water, but that only makes the concentration off by about 10%. Not enough to explain 5 ppm v 1.5...

I just ran tests for ammonia on ammonia chloride solutions I prepared with tap water. Both kits are advertised as being compatible with salt and fresh water. The Elos (Expry 11-16) test was completely inert, giving no color change whatsoever for NH4Cl concencentrations from 1 to 1250 ppm...

What I have read about upgrades suggests that the new system can behave like a brand new aquarium. There is a potential for an ammonia spike, so, be ready for that situation. Then there are some upgrades that proceed with no issues. There is rarely enough information to see a pattern.

I like the advice coming in, so, I will add something to consider. Keeping a salt water aquarium can result in addictive behavior more so than keeping a fresh water aquarium. This means the larger the aquarium you have, the more money you will be able to spend before you overload the aquarium...

GFO seems like the most uncomplicated method for controlling phosphate levels. Growing plants to achieve the same results as GFO depends on your "gardening" skills. Chaeto use is the fashion these days because it is cheap, grows quickly, and many, but not all, have luck growing it. There is...

Was the pump new?

DO NOT STARVE YOUR FISH BECAUSE THE AQUARIUM HAD NUISANCE GROWTH. Feed your fish several times a day as much as it can eat in a minute or two. What this means is add small doses of food over a minute or two, waiting for the fish to finish each little dose before adding more. For example, take a...

You can't hurt anything using Chemi Pure Elite but it is not a miracle cure for cyanobacteria and hair algae growth either. If you are interested in reducing phosphates, use GFO, not GFO mixed with carbon. With either material, unless it is under good flow conditions, these solids will not...

The Pipefish seem to be doing fine. I had them since August, 2014. I mix their diet: frozen mysis; something called plankton which looks like small Krill, they'll now grab the big ones and wolf it down if another fish doesn't rip it from its mouth; Krill which I tear up; and octopus cut with...

Thanks. I am taking suggestions for next steps. I was so focused on answering my question, I probably missed some interesting studies.

One Year Anniversary Keeping Long Island Sound tidal zone flora and fauna. Before moving to CT, I owned 7 marine aquariums housing fish, soft coral and LPS. About 600 gallons of water in total. I was bitten badly by the reef aquarium bug. Ten years after moving, I decided to set up a salt water...

Since the nutrient levels are sufficiently elevated, the light intensity may be too low for the Chaeto to survive with only twelve hours of light.