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Re:Hydra elimination (was LFD V2 #353



Hello Wright,

One thing that we can definitely say about the Old Masters (and Innes
certainly was one) is that they were not too encumbered by theory, but
knew what works and what doesn't. They bred fish without all the
technology -- RO, DI, dGH, pH, etc. -- they just knew what to do!

Best,

George

 
> Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 05:08:37 -0800
> From: Wright Huntley <huntley1 at home_com>
> Subject: Re: hydra removal
> 
> Bob Dixon writes:
> 
> > Date: Tue, 9 Feb 1999 19:20:03 EST
> > From: IDMiamiBob at aol_com
> > Subject: Re: Live Foods Digest V2 #352
> >
> > George writes:
> >
> > > It surprised me, that nobody mentioned the old stand-by ammonium nitrate
> > >  (NH4NO3, available in garden supply stores) that is mentioned by W.T.
> > >  Innes.
> 
> We know a lot about fish, now, that Innes didn't know, then.
> 
> > >
> > >  The dosage recommended is 5 grains/US gallon, or 85 milligrams/liter,
> > >  added dissolved in a small amount of water. It is said to be safe for
> > >  fish and plants. In 24 hours the hydra are gone.
> >
> > If the pH in my tank were much above 7.8, I would be terrified to add that
> > much ammonia to my tank.  Best get it down to below 7.0 before trying this.
> > Or would that make the treatment ineffective?
> 
> Best get it *way* below 7. [That is, don't do it!] The ratio of ammonia
> (deadly) to ammonium (relatively harmless) drops with pH, but doesn't
> really go to effectively to zero until about pH=4 or so. It is
> significant at 6, if such high doses are present.
> 
> Only 0.1ppm of ammonia does permanent gill damage to fish. We know that,
> now. [See Spotte, for example.] They survive it but stunting and other
> growth and behaviour abnormalities continue throughout their life. The
> levels suggested are sure to damage all but the hardiest of fish --
> maybe even them.
> 
> At very low pH, the nitrites produced by the bacteria in the tank might
> become significant (and at their deadliest). That is, a monster "cycling
> spike" could happen if there is significant biofiltering present.
> 
> Bottom line:
> 
> Ammonium Nitrate is fine fertilizer, but not a very good idea for
> aquaria, IMO.
> 
> Wright
> 
> - --
> Wright Huntley, Fremont CA, USA, 510 494-8679  huntley1 at home dot com
> ************Organizing an effort to stamp out all TLAs.****************
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 11:05:35 -0500
> From: George Slusarczuk <yurko at warwick_net>
> Subject: Re: Hydra elimination (was LFD V2 #353
> 
> Hello Bob,
> 
> You are right, that depending on pH the toxicity of ammonia will vary.
> The tank I used this method on was slightly acidic and it worked fine.
> 
> To be safe, one could first add half the amount and seeing no distress
> in fish, add the rest.
> 
> Best,
> 
> George
> 
> >
> > If the pH in my tank were much above 7.8, I would be terrified to add that
> > much ammonia to my tank.  Best get it down to below 7.0 before trying this.
> > Or would that make the treatment ineffective?
> >
> > Bob Dixon
> 
> > George writes:
> >
> > > It surprised me, that nobody mentioned the old stand-by ammonium nitrate
> > >  (NH4NO3, available in garden supply stores) that is mentioned by W.T.
> > >  Innes.
> > >
> > >  The dosage recommended is 5 grains/US gallon, or 85 milligrams/liter,
> > >  added dissolved in a small amount of water. It is said to be safe for
> > >  fish and plants. In 24 hours the hydra are gone.
>