Re: Aquatic utrics

Michael Hasemann (jmh@tko.vtt.fi)
Thu, 23 Mar 1995 16:36:52 +0200 (EET)

>
> I'm trying to prepare an aquarium for an aquatic utric, and even with
> waterlogged peat, I'm having a really hard time getting the water to
> stay clear. Any suggestions?
>
Aerate it, pump air into it to keep the oxygen level high. Micro-
organims will in turn eat away algae and offer themselves as pray
for utrics. Don't use cooked water, take water from a clean natural
source (e.g. a lake, swamp, ...). Thus you have water which is in
a natural balance. No ecosystem has to be built up in first place.
Add peat to decrease the pH level is necessary. Add water lenses
or other free floating or swimming water plants which remove ex-
cess nutrients. You can always take away some if they are growing too
strong. I use this method myself growing Aldrovanda at 30 degrees C
water temperatures and full light for 10 hours/day. They like it
and grow vigorously. The water in it is crystal clear.
(albeit after an initial strong growth my water lenses got more mo-
dest now and hardly multiply anymore. Perhaps lacking nutrients.)

..Michael

-- 
  Michael Hasemann | Technical Research Centre of Finland - Automation
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