Background
In the process of refurbishing an older 55 gal. metal frame tank into a planted aquarium I began by testing the PPS regimen on a 20 gal. The former inhabitant of the 55 was moved to the 20 after it was cycled and plants had established themselves. The 20 was planted at first with a sparse setting of Wisteria and Ludwidgia. The plants multiplied quickly, were trimmed and the cuttings replanted. The tank is now at a point where future cuttings will need to be removed. This took about a month. The 55 was planted about 2 weeks ago. The posting here is the details of this tank.
When did you begin using PPS?
(See above) PPS was begun on this tank about 2 weeks ago. As stated in the PPS documentation there is definitely a cycle of adjustments to be made when first getting started. You can and do control some of the parameters of this equation but many remain unknown. The exact health of the plants that you get as an example. Or, the exact parameters of the tap water you use. I'll leave it at that for now.
Do you find the PPS system easy to use?
Kudos to Edward and others involved. The spreadsheets and other tools available to do PPS speak volumes about the efforts that went into helping others in this pursuit. As anyone can gather from going through the threads here this is no quick fix to planted tank problems. I think it is a learning process that helps to understand the requirements for success not the guarantee of it. I am learning a lot and enjoying it.
How often do you do a water change?
I have not reached a point where the overabundance of nutrients indicated in the testing have required it. This new tank has no fish in it yet. In my tanks that have fish I do a partial water change (20%) about once a week.
Do you use CO2?
This tank has a pressurized system with a controller.
What is your aquarium's water volume?
55 gallons
.
What type of lighting do you use?
4- Compact Fluorescents set up in 2 banks on timers. Bank one has a 10 hour photoperiod and the second bank comes on for 6 hours
How many watts of lighting do you have?
260 when all the lights are on. The photoperiods were scaled back from 12 and 10 that ran the first week.
Please describe the condition of your plants.
After setting up the tank I did not test again until the end of the first week. That was my mistake. With the very high lighting level the nutrients were being used up too fast and some algae growth took place. Adjustments were made in the dosing levels, the photoperiod was scaled back, and I have used some Excel (15ml) in the tank each day. The algae has died back but is not gone. At some point the Excel dose will be scaled back to 5ml. The plants seem to be growing normally.
Please attach the PPS Excel Spreadsheet.
In the process of refurbishing an older 55 gal. metal frame tank into a planted aquarium I began by testing the PPS regimen on a 20 gal. The former inhabitant of the 55 was moved to the 20 after it was cycled and plants had established themselves. The 20 was planted at first with a sparse setting of Wisteria and Ludwidgia. The plants multiplied quickly, were trimmed and the cuttings replanted. The tank is now at a point where future cuttings will need to be removed. This took about a month. The 55 was planted about 2 weeks ago. The posting here is the details of this tank.
When did you begin using PPS?
(See above) PPS was begun on this tank about 2 weeks ago. As stated in the PPS documentation there is definitely a cycle of adjustments to be made when first getting started. You can and do control some of the parameters of this equation but many remain unknown. The exact health of the plants that you get as an example. Or, the exact parameters of the tap water you use. I'll leave it at that for now.
Do you find the PPS system easy to use?
Kudos to Edward and others involved. The spreadsheets and other tools available to do PPS speak volumes about the efforts that went into helping others in this pursuit. As anyone can gather from going through the threads here this is no quick fix to planted tank problems. I think it is a learning process that helps to understand the requirements for success not the guarantee of it. I am learning a lot and enjoying it.
How often do you do a water change?
I have not reached a point where the overabundance of nutrients indicated in the testing have required it. This new tank has no fish in it yet. In my tanks that have fish I do a partial water change (20%) about once a week.
Do you use CO2?
This tank has a pressurized system with a controller.
What is your aquarium's water volume?
55 gallons
.
What type of lighting do you use?
4- Compact Fluorescents set up in 2 banks on timers. Bank one has a 10 hour photoperiod and the second bank comes on for 6 hours
How many watts of lighting do you have?
260 when all the lights are on. The photoperiods were scaled back from 12 and 10 that ran the first week.
Please describe the condition of your plants.
After setting up the tank I did not test again until the end of the first week. That was my mistake. With the very high lighting level the nutrients were being used up too fast and some algae growth took place. Adjustments were made in the dosing levels, the photoperiod was scaled back, and I have used some Excel (15ml) in the tank each day. The algae has died back but is not gone. At some point the Excel dose will be scaled back to 5ml. The plants seem to be growing normally.
Please attach the PPS Excel Spreadsheet.
