Oooookaaaay......

So I am about to trial OA on a hospital tank for a Severum that took a real beating from some tankmates over the weekend. I will document the progress here and on the LFKS. Let it be known that I am not getting free product, not previously a user of full OA.

I did, however, spend 50 quid on a large tub of 'health treatment' which seemed to do nothing of note, although I fully accept that it could have been my own poor tank maintenance resulting in high (30ish) nitrates. A question on this stuff, what is all the brown flaky stuff that floats around the tank? Is it OK for fish to be seemingly eating this stuff?

Hi didi,

Yeah it is fine for the fish, not too sure what it is but all the OA products are harmless to the fish. Mine seem to love the flakey stuff!! Sorry I cant give you a definitive ans. BTW are you using an air pump in that tank?

No Leonie, no air pump, just a small internal breaking the surface.

Apparently you are supposed to have an air pump in the tank. When I am using it I connect the pump in and when I'm not using it the spray bar is in. One of the reasons I have stopped using it - cos the pump can be a bit noisy!!

Isn't the idea not to simply break the surface tension so the nitrate gas can escape?
I assumed that an airstone/venturi spray/any other method of doing so would suffice?

Opinions people?

Yeah you could be right. I remember when i first got it in the lfs I was told to use an air pump and it says it on thier site. Just checked before I posted this and from www.organicaqua.com/freshwateraquariums

"ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT FOR USING ORGANIC AQUA


Air Pump: This is now the sole component responsible for maintaining water quality in your tank and must always remain on, running an airstone positioned in the opposite end of the tank to the filter.
Filter: A mechanical filter is the best way to maintain adequate circulation in your system and also helps keep the water free of debris. The addition of adsorbing media like carbon can also be administered to the water but is not essential
Heater: Only for use if you are keeping tropical species."

I hope this helps

For someone to come on here and post comments like sean did through out this thread is a liitle childish and also disrespectfull, there is no need to say darragh did anything, thats if its true or not.

There is no need at all to post such comments, we all have our own points on such matters. For Sean to come on here and post a personal attack against someone is way out of order and has no place on this site at all.

Alan

Didihno wrote:
Isn't the idea not to simply break the surface tension so the nitrate gas can escape?
I assumed that an airstone/venturi spray/any other method of doing so would suffice?

Opinions people?

You must have a strong air current coming from the bottom via airstone to achieve deep saturation, venturi doesn't cut it above 10 L .

Trimax wrote:
Didihno wrote:
Isn't the idea not to simply break the surface tension so the nitrate gas can escape?
I assumed that an airstone/venturi spray/any other method of doing so would suffice?

Opinions people?

You must have a strong air current coming from the bottom via airstone to achieve deep saturation, venturi doesn't cut it above 10 L .
Gottit. Set up my only air pump tonight, added the OA and the Severum is calm and collected. Still got stress bars and still not eating though. Maybe tomorrow.

The health stuff that comes in the OA packs is fantastic for the fish. Not sure what it is or the ingredients of it but it works a treat!!