Recent content by Robert Jordan

Hello, I just read Rob Toonen's article on aquarium invertebrates in this month's issue of Advanced Aquarist about the nutritional value of certain foods. The last paragraph touch's on macroalgae and green vegetables. For those of you who are interested in how much nutrition is...

Hello, I just read Rob Toonen's article on aquarium invertebrates in this month's issue of Advanced Aquarist about the nutritional value of certain foods. The last paragraph touch's on macroalgae and green vegetables. For those of you who are interested in how much nutrition is...

Terry, I would like to see some articles on cyanobacteria and which types that might be dominant in our systems. The subject should cover identification, control, nitrogen fixation and nutrient limitation. Bob.

Kim, Before you invest in plants, check with a plant researcher about the ability of plants to convert CO2 efficiently when the concentration is over 1000 ppm. I really do not think plants are the answer with this concentration. Your apartment may need to be turned into a jungle just to...

Kim, I cannot say just how effective a few plants would be. I would surmise that every room in the house would need a few large ones. Just guessing. Bob.

Kim, As Randy had pointed out; Dosing kalkwasser is a good way to raise pH. Try doing this first and then look for ways to decrease the CO2 load. This includes installing a fresh air intake to your main heating system with a valve to control the flow of fresh air into the return air side...

Cvye, Thanks for the info about Adey's work. I recall when I first entered the hobby that my nutrients were much lower (NO3 ion 5ppm) and (PO4 0.03 ppm or less) and I always had a persistant microalgae problem. As I gained experience, I learned to keep it under control. When I decided to...

Cvye, I installed my algae rufugium to get better control of nitrates and phosphates. I do not have a problem with microalgae. I am beginning to see improvement because I also increased my water changes from 5% to 10% per week. You may have something there about iron dosing that just...

I am going to adjust my specific gravity to 1.026 and see if I can get the pH to rise a bit more by lowering the CO2 feed to my calcium reactor. This should help optimize foam production, but I am not sure about the optimum value of Dkh for best foam production.

Hello, Is there any noticeable difference in protein skimmer foam production if the dKH is raised or lowered? Bob.

Wade, Your concerns are duly noted. The article I wrote was just for only one of the many reasons pH drops too much overnight in well seal homes with not enough fresh air ventilation. There were many tests I performed with the carbon dioxide monitor and I quickly saw the relationship...

Terry, I started an macro algae refugium with Caulerpa racemosa about 7 weeks ago to help with both nitrate and Phosphate control and I am dosing it also with an iron supplement. I am adding one drop per day to the 4.75 gallon refugium. This seems too little at first but it is based...

Randy, Thank's for replying. I'll hold off on further questions until Ron Shimek submits his assay on the toxicity. I know you will take it into account if you decide to submit an article on copper to "Advanced Aquarist". This should clear up questions on Copper sulfate as we use it at...

Kim, Read my article anyway to see if you can come up with an idea of your own. If you have a forced hot air system along with central airconditioning, you could add a fresh air intake to that and that be be enough. It would certainly help. Kalkwasser may also be considered. Do a pH test...

Kim, I had the same problem and found the source of my low pH. It was the accumulation of too much carbon dioxide in the fishroom which always increased mostly when windows and doors are closed and not used. So you need to maintain a continous 24 hour supply of fresh air to the fish room...