Hello,
I jumped into APC a few weeks ago under a diffrent user name & never introduced myself because I knew the change was in the making
As a kid my first job was in a LFS, a shop known locally for quality. I had a few 10 gallan tanks then, nothing special. Then about 4 years ago I moved some albino turtles that were in a 70 gallon tall to an outside pond. So I have a tank filter & heater, great time to start a planted aquarium. Before long I purchase a 55 gallon plexi tank wich set off a nice balance in our "great room" . So I set them both up initially as had learned when a boy. Then in March of this year I decided to step it up. Both tanks has been planted an did OK for a while, maybe even great, but then KA BOOM - the 55 gal crashed & growth wss more like a slow death. I am sure it was because I set them up with UG filters with power heads. The dirt can build up just so much even though I did use a gravel cleaner.
So since I was stepping it up I got new eheim 2217 filters & removed the UG filters & powers heads. Then I did a diy project for two new light fixtures, both 4 X 55 w compact Floresent. They turned out GREAT ( go to A+H supply). I avoid re cycling by using media from older filters being taken out of service. I cleaned the gravel using water from the same tank before setting them up a;l over again
Whew..........
I got very intrested in the Barr method & have been fertilizing now for about 6 weeks. I am not doing it the perscribed way though. Instead I started with some solutions & through testing I am trying to determine how much is needed, ather than ODing the tank. This is a hobby so - that is the way I am going to do it
I am a bit short on time( wife
) is calling LOL
I'll write more later
a re-intro - Aquaticz 
Hybrid Mode
