Lance's 225 gal tank

[christyf5]

Wow, the info on this is really encouraging! I might have to get me some of this, I have nitrates (about 20ppm I do the test averaging stuff too) that just can NOT be gotten rid of no matter what I try (not that I've tried much other than larger waterchanges). Anyway, I'll stop now

[Delphinus]

The lentils really do seem the real deal shiznit. (Fo shizzle.) I saw all the same things (clearer water darker skimmate and a small cyano patch just packed up one night and left). I have to clean my glass less often though, that's different. So hopefully yours will go that way eventually as well. Mind you I'm doing a combo zeo/lentils approach and maybe that's the difference. Honestly though I don't see how the film algae will be able to keep up long term with the reductions like that. Glad to hear you're liking them so far too.

[Lance]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

The lentils really do seem the real deal shiznit. (Fo shizzle.) I saw all the same things (clearer water darker skimmate and a small cyano patch just packed up one night and left). I have to clean my glass less often though, that's different. So hopefully yours will go that way eventually as well. Mind you I'm doing a combo zeo/lentils approach and maybe that's the difference. Honestly though I don't see how the film algae will be able to keep up long term with the reductions like that. Glad to hear you're liking them so far too.

Yeah, I'm lovin' 'em so far! The film algae is no big deal. In fact, I may even be imagining it growing faster. It's the pessimist in me. I've been battling nitrates so long in this tank I'm having trouble daring to think I may have found the cure.

[Lance]

I forgot to mention I started dosing MicroBacter 7, five days before the pellets arrived to help jump start the bacteria culture.

[Lance]

After 11 days of running the pellets the skimmate is really starting to become darker and thicker. It used to be a greenish brown, now it is nearly as dark as Pepsi, and the crap in the neck of the skimmer is as thick as tar. Here's a pic of skimmate poured from the waste collector into a 2 liter pop bottle. (Aproximately 1 liter in 24 hours). I have the end of the outlet hose from the pellet reactor right up against the bulkhead to the skimmer pump, so most of the effluent from the reactor is going to the skimmer. Maybe I should be letting more of the effluent make it's way back into the system? I don't know. Any opinions on this?

[Leah]

It would be the dog house for you for sure if the Mrs had a nice glass of that!!!

[PoonTang]

Better make sure the beagle doesnt get ahold of that or you will be on the missus $hit list again.....

[Lance]

Originally Posted by Leah

It would be the dog house for you for sure if the Mrs had a nice glass of that!!!

I took the picture and promptly dumped it out. Can't be having any more accidents.