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- Performed a standard maintenance water change with additional filter and plant adjustments.
- Pre–water change nitrate levels measured between 40–80 ppm, indicating elevated nutrient buildup. Completed the usual large-volume change:
- ~90%+ sump drain
- ~70–75% display drain
- 🔧 Filtration Updates
- Replaced polyfill layer
- Replaced 5-in-1 filter sponge (Temu media) positioned before the polyfill
- Dosed Stability to support bacterial re-establishment following media replacement
- Dosed Prime during refill as usual
- 🌱 Plant Maintenance
- Trimmed Java moss in both sump and display
- Removed and discarded browned/decaying sections
- Transferred healthy moss from display into sump to maintain refugium density
- Plant mass remains strong and actively growing.
- 🧪 Experiment Begins — Day 0
- This maintenance marks the start of a new system experiment:
- Transitioning from schedule-based water changes → nitrate-driven water changes
- Goal:
- Reduce unnecessary large water changes
- Allow system to find natural nutrient balance
- Track nitrate accumulation under current lower bioload + high plant mass
- 📊 Follow-Up Reading
- 📅 April 14, 2026 (Day 3)
- Nitrates measured at ~5–10 ppm
- This indicates:
- Strong nutrient uptake from plants
- Effective reset from the April 11 water change
- System ready for controlled observation phase
- 📌 System Status
- Filtration refreshed
- Plant mass redistributed and cleaned
- Nitrates reset to low range
- System stable
- Tank is now officially in a controlled nitrate-monitoring phase.
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