Ready to throw in the towel---mad and discouraged

They sort of do I suppose.

An in tank UV sterilizer could go along away to helping some of those algal bloom issues though. You should read up on those a little bit more.

 

It's a good idea so I'll look into them. Did you say you run one, I can't remember.

 

I dont, but its on my list to get. When I have bit more cash I will be purchasing one for sure.

 

LOL There's always something on our lists and once we get one thing we put something else on it.

 

Agreed.

Like for my reef I want a dosing unit, ATO, more MP10's, a carbon, kalkwasser and Biobellet reactor lol.

Then I will be satisfied .

 

lol You're funny and it can get quite expensive.

 

I didn't see it mentioned anywhere, how old are your bulbs?

 

A little bit of interesting (?) news on municipal water quality. The EPA allows 4ppm phosphate and 40ppm nitrate in our drinking water. Your water provider must also post their annual water test analysis.

Because of these numbers I use rodi water and then add minerals back in.

 

Hi Telgar,

They're 3 months old so at least that's not a problem thank goodness.

 

I tested the tap water 4 x yesterday and once this morning.

Nitrates from tap water:
Test 1 = 0 ppm
Test 2 = 0 ppm
Test 3 = 40 ppm (???) ---> maybe didn't mix bottles enough, IDK
Test 4 = 0 ppm
Test 5 = 0 ppm (This morning)

This morning:

Betta tank nitrates 17 hours after 100% wc: between 0 and 5 ppm (inconsistent with above tests unless he's putting a lot of waste into his home).

30g. tank nitrates after dosing 1 ml. of ferts v. the normal 3 ml. 24 hours ago and a 75% wc ~48 hours ago (larger than normal wc): 10 ppm

City water analysis: MCL = 10 MCLG = 10 (I don't know what MCL and MCLG mean) Level found = .70

I have considered using at least some distilled water (or RO/DI if I can find it).

I'm back to where I started: inadequate filtration, and/or overfeeding, and/or adding nitrates to the 30g.

I'm not overfeeding, the tank has been clear until the 2nd to last wc, and the ferts dosing has remained constant at 3 ml. 2-3 x per week.