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clown loaches, solenoids



Aquatic-Plants-Owner at ActWin_com wrote:
> 
> Aquatic Plants Digest     Thursday, 5 December 1996     Volume 02 : Number 364
> 
> In this issue:
> 
>         Re: CO2 Regulators - The Sequel
>         Holes in Leaves
>         Chloride
>         Re: Re: Needle Valves
>         Hagen Resin Driftwood Ornaments
>         Aluminum Use...Again
>         Automated water changes?
>         Re: Spider Mites
>         Flow Meters vs. Regulators
> 
> See the end of the digest for information on subscribing to the
> Aquatic Plants mailing list and on how to retrieve back issues.
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> From: James Purchase <jpp at inforamp_net>
> Date: Thu, 05 Dec 1996 08:49:02 -0500
> Subject: Re: CO2 Regulators - The Sequel
> 
> Hi Everyone,
> 
> I'd like to say Thank You to everyone who jumped in with recommendations
> concerning CO2 regulators and related equipment. Initially, I had hoped
> that it would be simpler but when I researched the topic on the net I
> kept coming up with stories about CO2 tanks releasing their gas in one
> mad blow and even George Booth making comments about tying it up with
> leather straps (of course, as I recall Karen Randall jumped in quickly
> to calm George down).
> 
> I do have limited experience with using CO2 to carbonate soda pop, but
> was taught to treat a pressurized cylinder with a great deal of respect.
> I guess this is where my fear comes from. Sort of like a boogey man from
> childhood come back to haunt me.
> 
> Now, armed with the information that you have so kindly supplied (thanks
> especially to Matt MacGregor for a VERY detailed, step by step note) I
> shall pick up the phone and make a few calls.
> 
> Pat Bowerman suggested, in APD V2 #362 that I also pick up a solenoid in
> order to be able to have a timer turn the system off at night:
> 
 
> From: "Williams, Rochelle - DCSPIM" <williaro at ftmcphsn-emh1_army.mil>
> Date: Thu, 5 Dec 1996 08:47:00 -0500
> Subject: Holes in Leaves
 (snippo)
> What confuses me is the development of small holes in both old and new
> leaves (but not during active growth phase).  It starts as a small
> colored spot on the leaf, then grows.  Eventually the spot becomes 2 - 4
> mm in size and there is a hole in the center.  Small strings of plant
> fiber can be seen stretching across the hole.  The largest spot I've
> found is 1 cm and the hole is about 5mm.  The spots are occuring mainly
> on the various varieties of Amazon swords but mainly on the melon swords
> (both large and dwarf var.).
 
> Looking over Neil Frank's nutrient deficiency posting, I see no definite
> match to the symptoms.  It isn't snails because the clown loaches keep
> the pond snails under control and the spots are appearing on a daily
> basis now.   (YEA!!), GH and KH 30ppm.

OK, before we get to far with this deficiency thing, let's try to rule
out the clown loaches. Some of them seem to be quite fond of making
those holes that you describe. If you have another tank, try isolating
your clown loaches for a while. Then trim off the leaves with the holes,
(if that is feasible) and see if they reappear. It could be a nutrient
deficiency, but it could be a hungry clown loach too. BTW, I hear they
like cucumbers too.
 


> George Booth wrote:
> Been there, done that.  Not very exciting.  The NO1 seems *very*
> sensitive to temperature variations, especially when adjusted for very
> slow rates.

The Nupro valve also seems to be sensitive to temperature fluctuations.
However, I have the valve adjacent to my solenoid which gets pretty
warm. I believe a longer piece of pipe between the solenoid and the
needle valve would help a bunch.

> Oh, and how about adding the ARO phone number and the number of the
> local distributor (in case other readers are in your area).

OK, OK, I'll try to find it. But, I believe I'm the only person in N.W.
Arkansas that is even making a serious attempt to grow plants.
 
> > FWIW, to folks trying to build their own CO2 system, I would recommend
> > a solenoid. It's cheap ($20 or so) and it is a snap to install.
> 
> Ummm, Pat, you forgot something.  What is a recommended brand and model
> number and WHERE CAN I GET ONE?  I'm sure other folks would want to know.

OK, OK, Okay, I'll try to get that too. <g> I just picked mine up at a
local plumbing supply house. One thing you do need to be sure of is
this: Your solenoid needs to be closed whenever the power is OFF to it.
That is, no CO2 flows through it when the power fails.
George, is it true that you don't recommend a solenoid in a manual
system, and if so, why not?
 One more thing, to George and others, thanks for sharing your expertise
with the rest of us.