Problems with Vals ???

We need to talk about the freight... :rolleyes:

Here I have not yet adjusted to the change from the old water supply to the new, to the chance of chloramines and the resulting daily testing, and the man wants to use this stuff! But it is easy to grow plants in...
 
O.K. update time. I am still tracking hardness and Ca both through my aging barrell and not adding any to the tank. The tanks were actually overdosed on MG and since that tap water is much higher Mg (assumed) than Ca (tested) I am proceeding carfully and slowly bring my tank levels down. I still plan to eventually find a scenario that puts me in the range of 270- 300 ppm GH with about a 4-1 dosing ratio. There doesn't seem to be a noticeable consumption at this point, but I imagine as plant growth fills in there may be.

With calcium elevated from > 20 ppm to about 100 ppm, I am seeing amazing changes in plant and snail growth both. My vals are slowly starting to respond. I had about 6 inches of upward growth this week, I know that doesn't sound like much, but it is more than I have seen in 9 months previously. I am almost excited enough to order some more italian and contortionist val (My two favorites) My annubias seem to be growing much healthier, and my crypts are bigger than I have ever seen them. Starting to wonder if they should be in the forground at all. My swords (dwarf chain and red melon) are doing well, but they were doing well before so I can't say that they have really improved. MY snails are no longer eroding at all, and the shells are thick and full of color. I have some Ramshorns approaching the 3/4" mark, 1/2" was about max before in my tanks. I am retaining a handful of the larger ones to see how big they will get.

I will update again in a couple of weeks.
dave
 
Vals are super. I was inspired by an Amano tank with lots of spiralis and bogwood covered with javafern and a lawn of some grassy plant like dwarf hairgrass, and lots of cardinals tetras. Simple. It was just lovely. I'd like to plant a tank like that one day.

Congrats Davedka!
 
O.k. for those following this, I actually have thee val leaves approching the top of the tank, there are some signs of multiplication and the appearance of genral growth and health aside from algea issue's I'm battling.
The algae has switched brands on me, and seems to be more targeted to my glass and filters than the previous creepy stuff on the plant leaves. I now hve the green slime thing going way too well (not BGA this time though) It is easier to manage than my previous hair algea and BGA battles. I am almost certain based on results in the other two tanks that as soon as I estabilish some real plant mass (i.e. a lot of tall vals) then the algae will subside.
I am still tracking all hardness levels, tank change water etc. I am dosing my change water only, and the GH numbers in the tank are very slowly coming into line with the GH in the change water.The plants that I would have said were growing well enough previously are unbelievable now. my crypts are bigger and nicer than I have ever seen them, and starting to multiply well. My annubias are growing slowly like always, but haven't seen any holes in the leaves lately. Swords are about the same, but there was no previous dissapointment with them like there was with the Vals. John R gave me some kind of lilly, and it is explosive to say the least. It actually is the perfect plant I needed for the centerpiece. it grows to the surface in my 31" tank, shades certain areas, and thus far looks pretty good. all in all I am without a doubt convinced that calcium was in fact the key. Now for the longer slower test to determine exact levels needed without excess hardness. And who knows maybe someday a picture of a heavily planted RFUG Oscar tank. wouldn't that be different.
Dave
 
I'm using CaCl in the form of prestone driveway heet (ice melter) I imagine at this point, I have way more than I really need, but now that I've proven it was needed, I'll start slowly adjusting things down to find the optimum levels.
Dave
 
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