Thanks to faulty litmus papers, my pH was way too high - 9.2. I didn't have access to pH down so I used vinegar which worked - temporarily. But its effect was to break up this brownish scale that had formed around the sides and bottom, creating suds, murky water and stuff floating around in it. I had to change the water, no easy task with an 18-gallon tank, no drain pipe and no water hose. What's more, with no quick backup system available, I had to do it quickly so the plants would not get too distressed.
Getting the thing cleaned was fairly simple but removing a gallon of water at a time and then dumping it down the toilet took some time. But in an hour I had it filled and water swirling, then had to get the pH balanced. I was able to only let it set for another hour before putting plants in but this morning it didn't look like the chlorine did them any harm.
Now it's just getting the pH and nuit levels balanced which shouldn't take more than a day or two.
Mike
Getting the thing cleaned was fairly simple but removing a gallon of water at a time and then dumping it down the toilet took some time. But in an hour I had it filled and water swirling, then had to get the pH balanced. I was able to only let it set for another hour before putting plants in but this morning it didn't look like the chlorine did them any harm.
Now it's just getting the pH and nuit levels balanced which shouldn't take more than a day or two.
Mike
