woopderson Posted January 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2015 Today's Tests: Ammonia: 3-4ppm PH: 6.4 Nitrate has not really moved up much. I hope that the ph doesn't stay that low, I would prefer it closer to 7. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jumpsmasher Posted January 29, 2015 Report Share Posted January 29, 2015 interesting that both our pH dropped by about the same amount today. Mine dropped from 5.8 to 5.5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woopderson Posted January 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2015 Yea, very interestinf results thus farm I really want the ph to stay higher than that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woopderson Posted January 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2015 Today's: Ph: 6.0 or less Nitrite: 0 Ammonia: ~1-2ppm Nitrate: 30ppm From a cycle persoective things are good, but darn that ph :/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindygao0217 Posted January 29, 2015 Report Share Posted January 29, 2015 The first one is blue rili the second is blue pearl and three one is carbon rili soothing shrimp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted January 30, 2015 Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 *shrugs* If you'd like to not listen to my knowledge about neo shrimp coloration, that's fine. But blue pearl is a different shrimp altogether- Neo Palmata, not neo davidii. RyeGuy411 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jumpsmasher Posted January 30, 2015 Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 *shrugs* If you'd like to not listen to my knowledge about neo shrimp coloration, that's fine. But blue pearl is a different shrimp altogether- Neo Palmata, not neo davidii.The export lists I seen usually label neocaridina palmata as "blueberry" shrimpsA few years ago when they hit the market, Blue Pearl referred to the blue version of the snowball shrimp; Neocaridina cf. Zhangjiajiensis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted January 30, 2015 Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 The export lists I seen usually label neocaridina palmata as "blueberry" shrimps A few years ago when they hit the market, Blue Pearl referred to the blue version of the snowball shrimp; Neocaridina cf. Zhangjiajiensis Neocaridina cf. Zhangjiajiensis has been reclassified as Neo Palmata. Blueberry is different than BP, although it is also Palmata. Not only is the color different, but they do not breed true. Some attribute this to the food they've eaten. jumpsmasher 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woopderson Posted January 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 Hokay! So I think something was funny with my ph test yesterday. I tested twice today to be sure. Ph1: 6.4 Ph2: 6.6 Nitrate: 30+ppm Ammonia: 1+ppm Such an odd cycle. I chatted with a colleague of mine who uses this substrate in a few of his tanks. He says his ph post cycle is 7-7.6. So it must lose the buffer capacity in a short time. My tap ph is 7.4. I did a 2/3 wc today just to see what would happen to the ph. I am in no rush for this cycle, and have loads of seeded media to spare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woopderson Posted February 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 The ph seems to have stabilized at 6.4. Ammonia continues to slowly leach from the substrate and is being eaten by bacteria. Nitrates continue on the rise. New plant growth spotted. Rodan76 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monty703 Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 I use Fluval Stratum in one of my tanks and my PH is approx. 6.8 in that tank. I think they've done something to this substrate to make it stay at a lower PH now. It used to be around 7.2. I do believe that Blueberry shrimps are in fact Babaulti blues (which don't breed true) The one picture of C-Sky's shrimps are the ones I have here and they are called Blue Dreams. I also got some of the lighter ones from C-Sky which have stayed a turquoise color (only have 2 left now) They haven't bred yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woopderson Posted February 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 I would be fine with around 6.8, but mine is still buffering low. 6.2 today. My ammonia cycle is complete but I'm a little leery about putting neos in a ph that low. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woopderson Posted February 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 Is there any way I can bring the PH up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chibikaie Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 You could use baking soda. Soothing Shrimp 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 +1 to Chib. That's what I use to bump mine up a bit. Only do a pinch at a time though. I have a .15cc spoon I use for my 10g. One leveled spoon will raise my ph by ~.13 Yours will differ, but by finding an accurate way to measure each time, you will have your knowledge you need for your tank. Also, be aware that temperature also plays a role in ph with low kh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woopderson Posted February 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 Good to know! I will try the baking soda. Just pour in and let it mix on its own? Temp is 22°c Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 If your temp is stable, you will be able to better pinpoint how much is needed when ph is dropped to a certain reading. Some people mix, but I just drop in the spoonful. It will dissipate pretty rapidly, and you should have your reading (if you have good water movement) within an hour. If your movement is minimal, wait 12 - 24 hrs, and see the reading then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woopderson Posted February 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 Excellent How long does the baking soda ph buffer last? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 For me between 2-3 weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woopderson Posted February 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 Wowoo! In the fluval substrate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 This particular tank uses a re purposed UP Aqua shrimp sand. It used to buffer around 6.3, then I dried it out in the oven and stored it for about a year. Now it buffers to 5's. Not sure if the drying out in the oven had something to do with it or not. Would be an interesting experiment for someone to try with just a cup full. Maybe I'll try it with some new sand coming in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woopderson Posted February 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 I will grab some baking soda today. Thanks for your help, everyone I am getting some nice yellow neos on Thursday, and am told that some have a racing stripe. Will start with 20 of those, and then get my Caridina Babaulti a little later on from Randy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 Are you going to breed for the stripe? (neon) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woopderson Posted February 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 Yes, I think so! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 Should make a fun project for you. Start a journal on it. I'd love to follow along. woopderson 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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