Today was the first time I tested the water for NH3 and it was off the chart. Darker than the darkest green on the placard. It's been 6 weeks, since I set it up, with just plants, no fauna. I haven't done any water changes, just been topping it off when necessary.
Guess I better start doing them if I ever want to put any livestock in there.
With aquasoil its a good idea to do frequent water changes in the beginning. I usually do a large one the day after I plant it. Then about 20% every other day or so. Then another 50% every week or 2.
The ammonia spikes are normal. They're designed to speed the initial growth of the plants in order to out compete algae. Plants better absorb ammonia in an acidic environment which is also why Aquasoil is designed to buffer the water to be soft.
I am trying a different tactic to drop the ammonia down in my nano.
I literally dumped enough cuttings into it that you cant see the bottom and jacked the co2 up.
nothing is planted but I am hoping that I can get the ammonia to drop enough that I can start planting it again (the first try melted away to brown goo excluding the orchid and the Crypt parva which are doing decently).
The other Jeff
Master of growing algae and getting better at plants
