Re: profile as substrate

["mopargrrl" <mopargrrl@mindspring.com>]

<g> Thanks for the reminder John... I just reread what Al wrote and
i see where he mentions that he used the conductivity reading as an
indicator of hardness levels.  I used the reagent kit to test my kH and
gH.

I was just curious myself to see if there was a difference there also...
Also, i like to run around from tank to tank with fish geek stuff like 
a TDS meter.  

I'm still trying to absorb the differences between kH and gH, let
alone what exactly the TDS meter is telling me LOL...

later,
christine
danville, CA

> FLAG!!!!
> 
> TDS meters are not what you need in this case.  All these plant additives
> release Fe (Iron) into the water at various rates.  Since one component of TDS
> is based on conductivity, you are not getting a linear measurement of General
> Hardness due to the increase in that conductivity by the Iron.  Use a proper GH
> test kit.
> 
> john
> 
> On 24-Apr-01 mopargrrl wrote:
> > I'll bust out the Hanna TDS meter and see what it says...  One problem
> > with the Profile is that is is very light and floaty, makes it difficult to
> > get plants to stay in the substrate until they get roots. 
> > 
> > You can use plain gravel/sand, but you'll have to supplement root
> > feeders frequently.  If you are going low light, low maintenance
> > style, fancy substrates are helpful but not necessary. Java fern,
> > anubias, and java moss, three of my favorites, don't even need
> > substrates.  Another thing to try is to pay for some of the expensive
> > substrates like laterite or Flourite, and use pots for the plants.
> > That way you don't need to use much expensive stuff.
> > 
> > later,
> > christine
> > danville, CA
> > 
> > 
> >> The aquatic planting soil is suppose to be the same stuff as the soil
> >> conditioner..the soil conditioner on the Shcultz page says it is inert
> >> also..also I just used a condutivity meter not a reagent kit...the stuff
> >> looks nice in the tank....but changing the water chemistry is not
> >> good.....just looking for something simple to grow some of the easy
> >> plants....looking for ideas from others who grow plants in soft water and do
> >> not go the super substrate method..if there is such a way...
> >> 
> >> AL




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