O.K. update time. Snails still doing O.K., Vals are looking better, but still not the growth that they are reputed to show. I picked up some new Italina val two weeks ago since it had all died off, it is sending shoots in three of four tanks and has a good bit of new growth. The contortionist val (which had remained) now has 6 leaves approaching the 20" mark, and no ragged tips. It is starting to send shoots as well. My crypts and swords have reached waht I believe is probably fiull height, and are spreading somewhat. My bolbitus is doing Ok and since it is said to not like hard water I am happy about this. Java looks better than ever, and the tiger Lotus John gave me is out of control In this tank I wanted it that way so it makes me quite happy to trim 5 or six lily pads a week. The only plant that seems to be suffering is the red temple, but I suspect that is an aside issue and probably has to do with me getting behind on some fert dosing in the last few weeks. I skipped a water change in my ten g and almost immediatly started seeing snail shell etching again (very high co2 levels in that tank) so I've added more crushed coral to the tank as well as caught up on water changes.
I finally got in touch with the water department, they claim 5 ppm MG 40 ppm Ca from the tap, the total hardness they claim is 119 which is exactly what I get on my GH test. The also claim carbonate hardness 46 ppm which meets my KH numbers exactly. I will continue to track and test things, but have no doubt at this point that the Calcium dosing is the only way I will continue to grow plants well.
Dave
I finally got in touch with the water department, they claim 5 ppm MG 40 ppm Ca from the tap, the total hardness they claim is 119 which is exactly what I get on my GH test. The also claim carbonate hardness 46 ppm which meets my KH numbers exactly. I will continue to track and test things, but have no doubt at this point that the Calcium dosing is the only way I will continue to grow plants well.
Dave
