>
>>>
>>> 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.)
>
>As an aquarist I use a small bag of activated charcol to remove
>yellowing organics and whatnot from the water (to the great benefit
>of the organisms in the tank). I don't know what effect that would
>have on your plants but I imagine they would not be disturbed. Perhaps
>more knowledgable subscribers can comment ;).
>
>Michael Livingston
>NetCraft Software, Inc
I've had better luck (at least w/ U. gibba) using dried sphagnum moss
pre-soaked in hot water. Fewer bacteria and suspended particles to cloud the
water.
John Phillips
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