[Robert B]

Is my CO2 controller useless at a KH of 1 or will it still give accurate readings?

BTW It is a pinpoint CO2 controller.

Thanks in advance,
Robert. (bobo31)

 

[Robert B]

Thanks for the replies guys.

My reason for running with such a low KH is because I would like to experiment with Tonina and Tonina type plants. I have tried to grow these at KH of 7 before and I have had no luck. They would hang on for about a month and a half but always would eventually die. So I figured I would give the lower KH a try and see what comes of it. These are some of my favorite plants and I would like to be able to grow them.

I am running with very high light and have not seen any problems as far as CO2 is concerned. I am using a Reactor 1000 on a 30 gallon tank so the CO2 does disolve very rapidly. I will keep a close eye on the KH as you suggested Tom.


Thanks,
Robert. (bobo31)

 

[Robert B]

I have tried Tonina in harder water KH 7 GH 3-5 on three different occasions with not much luck. All other plants were growing just fine.
At the time I was growing plants like Stargrass, Pearlweed, Eriocaulon's, Ludwigia cuba, HC, Downoi, R. macrandra, but I just couldn't keep the Toninas alive. The Tonina would hang on for about a month to a month and a half and then just start turning brown and waste away to nothing.

Maybe you can tell if you see something wrong with my fert regime.

30 gallon, 3.6wpg PC, 10ppm KNO3, .73ppm PO4 every other day and on the other days I add 7.5ml of Flourish and 5ml of Flourish iron. 50% water change on Saturdays. CO2 kept at 30ppm with a controller.

Like I said everything else grew just fine and is still growing just fine.

I have grown Egeria najas in the past but didn't like the intense growth.

Like I said though this is basically an experiment. I have been hearing you in the past putting down the need for soft water with some plants and I thought since the harder water wasn't working so good for me I would see what happened with the soft water. Believe me I tried my best to put this "myth" to rest myself and just couldn't. Now I want to see what will happen with the soft water.

Thanks,
Robert. (bobo31)

 

[Robert B]

Well as of right now my KH is at 2.5. I haven't reduced it all the way down to one yet. I am thinking that I will keep it around 2.

Am also using flourite but mine is mixed with sillica sand. It's about a 50-50 mix. This substrate is at least 3 years old though.

tsunami, I basically had the same experience you describe with your Tonina in Chicago water.

I will keep you guys posted on the results of this little experiment. I should be getting some Tonina in the mail today. :wink:

Robert. (bobo31)