Hydra may be affected by Iodine, and one week of stablility

[botia]

Well, I must state that the makeshift cloth wrapped cartridge on
this powerhead pump situated under some rocks and substrate, has proven
to be quite effective thus far. I have pulled some of the water out in
checking for excess debris, and ran water tests to find that 1) little
debris is found due to a significant drop in food dosage from 10ml to
2.5 per day, has caused the Atyopsis more checking the bottom for food,
and 2) the new adjustment to the pump filter thus far, has kept down
the nitrate, and doesn't drive up the pH so soon. I speculate that the
carbonate hardness will climp to satisfactory levels (kH 5 to 6). The
cloudliness is still about, and my guess is that the pump now resembles
a 'new tank' attitude, until the biolfilteration mechanics kick in.
The theory formed at present, is that the dietary requirements in the
beginning -- 10ml -- was sign that the pair were not feed properly at
the pet store, and needed some catching up, thus gobbled everthing in
sight. They both went after the Daphina and snail eggs with such
eagerness, comparison to the acquiescent behavoir they both currently
display. For hours Caver and College now sit on the center wood which
converges just below the current of bubbles. Atop this wood they both
face the bubbles side by side, fans wide open till (theory start) just
the right bubble size hits the fan propodus (theory end) then wham,
closes and draws to it's mouth. The hydra have made a come back, and
my guess is that this is due to the iodine levels falling, as I have
delayed administering the dosage -- two drops every three days. I will
keep lowering the amount till the shrimp indicate discomfort. Caver
has just about caught up to College, and the colors on both have become
more pronounced. College having an orange stripe running along it's
back with a dark stripe along each side sattelling, while Caver has a
tan stripe running along it's back with a dark stripe along each side
sattelling. Caver stays put longer at the bubble waypoint while
College tends to hang out (longer now) with Caver, but roams about the
tank. Some of the Common Water snails emerging are now being ejected
from the tank and fed to the skunk loach, in order to control the
snails from consuming the biomass needed for the Daphinia. I have
been carelessly calling the bugger "Daphina" until now. Also, I always
seemed delightfully surprised when I find a variation to some species
-- such was the case while visiting Griffith Park, and peered into the
edge of a pond. The Daphinia were far more robust than the Tank 2
population. There seems to be no good substitute for Mother Nature.
Present parameters; Tank Two is about 30 gallon tank holding 17
gallons of fresh water with about two tea spoons of Dr. Wells
freshwater aquarium salt, pH 7.2 and stable. Carbonate hardness of
3.7. and slightly climbing, water temp 27c with a slight upward
fluctuation. Daphinia population moderate and stable. Blood worms
population small and stable. Hydra population small and growing.
Common water Snails small and stable, harvesting in effect. Cyclops
population small and stable. Java ferns (4) stable and growing. Java
moss (four bunches) stable and barely growing. Amazon swords (2)
stable and growing. Lotus (1) stable and rapidly growing.