|| What I would like to know is:
|| has anyone intentionally altered their kH, trying to simulate natural
|| 'seasons'(rain, drought cycles)?
|| if so what is the kH range that you work with?
|| results?
||
|| I have been experimenting with this idea on one tank for 2 1/2 years,
|| using sodium bicarb to influence kH levels
||
|| range: 18ppm (7months) 38ppm (5months) of course the change is
|| gradual (takes roughly 4 weeks for the 20ppm change) pH remained
|| relatively stable 6.6 - 7.0
||
|| results: I found almost all species in that tank went into a breeding
|| cycle. guppies (bad example - those little sex fiends), clown
|| loaches, gouramies(true honey), neon tetras. All seemed to produce
|| eggs - except the guppies(live bearers) - with viable offspring.
|| Unfortunately I also have a host of short-finned spiny eels in that
|| tank, making fry fair game as food.
||
|| While these results are by no means 'scientific' or representing the
|| absolute truth. I will continue experimenting and combine any input
|| that is provided.
||
|| Another question
|| Can anyone think of reasons not to do something of this nature?
|| backing?
||
|| Kris

I've never heard of clown loaches spawning in a home aquarium, but...
Temperature plays a considerable role in reproduction... as does the
'rainfall' you speak of. I know of a couple herp breeders that force
seasonal changes with similated rainfalls, using RO/DI water... but in very
small amounts, several times daily, and that's had good success...

The biggest reason I wouldn't 'work' that much with it, is, it's work. Some
ppl feel the need to take the hobby to the farthest edge of their
capabilities, others just like staring at tanks... I'm the latter half of
that, I'd rather have a great tank, with the lowest effort needed... That's
not to say I don't spend alot of time on and in them, I'd rather enjoy them,
then play with them... From time to time, I have a hankering to mess with
something, and then I plan it out over time, set it up, and run with it..
When I'm done, I'll execute my final plan of ridding myself of what I've
reaped.... For my guppy breeding experiment, I had 12-14 batches, all my
friends now have guppies, I created 3 new strains and gave the males to the
LFS for credit. My krib experiment is still underway, but the fry will be
traded and given to friends as well as populating other tanks...

The best reason I can give you, is there is no real good reason to do it,
unless of course, you just want to... :-)

--
RedForeman ©® fabricator and creator of the ratbike streetfighter!!!
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is that better??