Re: [APD] Can one just give up?

[Bill Wichers <billw at waveform_net>]

> Thanks for all the input.. it is much appreciated. The selenoid route.. this
> just makes my head spin.... I don't understand that at all. Maybe if I had
> one in my hand... and could get tactile about it I would be better off. I

All the solenoid is is a valve that turns the CO2 on and off depending on 
whether or not the pH controller is electrifying the valve. Think of it as 
an on/off switch for the gas that has a remote control that the pH 
controller is in charge of. The basic function works the same as sprinkler 
solenoid valves in an automatic lawn sprinkler setup if that helps you 
visualize it.

[snip]
> happen... so suggested we try to look at other things. The suggestion was to
> change the charcoal since it has not been changed in months ( on the HOT
> mangnam)... What he explained is that the carbon can only hold so much
> toxicity.... and that there may be some form of toxicty in the tank that
> can't be measured. The reason for his going this route is that we have had
> major fish kills when we have done partial water changes.... what he
> explained to me is that if the charcoal is maxed out in what it can hold..
> that when there is a water change... the charcoal will release some of the
> toxicity as a way of trying to maintain balance. This makes sense to me in
> hindsight of having so many problems with fish kills after water
Hmmm. You shouldn't really need the carbon cartridge with a planted tank (I 
don't even use a filter at all on my tanks, except for the occasional 
sponge filter in little grow-out tanks). If you have fish kill problems 
after water changes, it is possible that you may have chloramine in your 
water supply and your dechlorinator isn't removing it. There is a *lot* of 
information in the archives about this problem that you may want to read 
through. New activated carbon cartridges might help reduce the problem but 
they aren't really a "proper" solution if chloramine is the cause of the 
problem. If you have another fish kill, try checking the ammonia level as 
soon as you notice it (the archive info will explain the chemistry). An 
"ammorid" or other ammonia-absorbing cartridge, while short-lived, might 
also help limit the damage done if you can catch an ammonia problem quickly 
enough.

     -Bill


*****************************
Waveform Technology
UNIX Systems Administrator

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