Archive for March, 2008
Published by
Nicky Ang under
Science on
March 23, 2008
Black Brush Algae (BBA) are notoriously difficult to remove. Unless you have a bunch of Siamese Algae Eaters (SAE) ready, the only way is to cut the infested leaves off.
Alternatively, you can burn BBA using high powered laser as shown here. Because I’m using a green laser, the green Anubias leaves will not absorb the green light. Therefore minimum damage is done to the leaves.
On the other hand, BBA is black and will absorb almost all laser light causing it to heat up. The BBA vaporizes instantly when laser hits it. You will also hear crackling sounds and smoke that smells like burnt hair. This laser is fitted with a "burning capset" (magnifying glass that narrows the beam further).
Results after one week
Here are the results of the laser treatment after one week. Suprisingly, entire leaves did not die out, but only the part that received the burning laser dries out and whiter away.
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Intense laser treatment. The tip of the leave did not survive.
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Mild laser treatment. BBA completely gone.
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Mild laser treatment. Only little bit of BBA left.
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Looking for a cheap treatment to BBA? Nope, this is not the cheapest and safest method. The laser used here is a 125 mW laser and safety goggles are mandatory when working with lasers at close range.
Tank update – 30 days after set up
I’ve done some minor adjustment to the big rocks, by placing them at 45 degrees angle. Also added some new Java moss on stone and it’s growing well. Glossostigma and Riccia starts to bubble due to intense lighting and high CO2. I can see streams of O2 bubbles being released everywhere in the tank.
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30 days after set up
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New Java moss on stone
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Riccia bubbling
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Published by
Nicky Ang under
Aquascape on
March 20, 2008
Did some minor rescape after 2 weeks. Removed the quartz crystal and Green rock.
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Overall layout
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Kurokinryu rock
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Black Neon
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Glossostigma elatinoides (new grown)
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Yamato Shrimp on Java Moss
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Riccia fluitans
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Published by
Nicky Ang under
Non-fiction on
March 14, 2008
Update: Read my Streamyx Combo 4 Mbps Review here
I applied at Taman Desa TM Point yesterday and today at 5.30pm they change the DSL speed. User ID remains the same. Phone line remains operational. My location is Sri Petaling.
Here are my stats from the modem:
Us Rate (Kbps) 510
Ds Rate (Kbps) 5114
US Margin 21
DS Margin 21
Trained Modulation ADSL2Plus
LOS Errors 0
DS Line Attenuation 18
US Line Attenuation 10
Peak Cell Rate 1202 cells per sec
CRC Rx Fast 0
CRC Tx Fast 2
CRC Rx Interleaved 0
CRC Tx Interleaved 0
Path Mode Fast Path
Noticed that 5114kbps is raw ATM rate. This confirms my copper phone line can deliver at that speed.
However, TMnet speedometer shows only 1600kbps (200kByte/sec) download. I also confirm 200kByte/sec download from local TMnet FTP.
By right, with 4096kbps package, we should get around 3072kbps or 350kByte/sec assuming 25% DSL overhead.
My application status is still “In Progress”. Their technician haven’t come to perform tests and deliver the modem. So I assume their bandwidth shapping config is not yet complete.
Anyway, very fast response from TMnet in processing order. So far no hassle applying from Taman Desa TM Point.
Published by
Nicky Ang under
Non-fiction on
March 11, 2008
Sometimes in life, we tend to become too occupied with all the expectations to win. What’s worst, is that we tend to be too glorified with our past results, making our vision becoming clouded and overconfident.
Looking at the outcome of our general election in 2008, the following are some caveats we should learn from it.
Never become overly confident. When we become too confident of our situation, we tend to loose sight and our visions clouded. We only see bed of roses laid in front without knowing what thorns are beneath them. Always look at surrounding signs that tries to tell us a story. Ignoring those signs are lethal.
Never overdo/oversell propaganda or it will backfire. We should never become too extreme in selling and putting pressure on the audience. Remember they are “spectators” and they are here to judge your performance. Painting pictures of truth is good, but never exaggerate to a fictitious extend.
Be more humble and moderate. This is always the rule of thumb to do everything with moderation. Even if you’ve made big achievements in your life, there is no need to boast your achievements that creates envy in return. Remember that “spectators” are constantly watching and passing judgements along the way. Most of the time, people will accept achievements that personally benefited them. Call them “selfish” if you will, but boasting achievements that only benefited ourselves will only backfire.
Published by
Nicky Ang under
Aquascape,
Science on
March 2, 2008
I got my 10 year old tank rescaped to the Iwagumi aquascape. In most Iwagumi scapes, rocks are a major point of attention. How the rocks are placed is very important to depict tranquility and simplicity.
Tank specifications:
| Size: |
60l x 30w x 45h cm (80 liters) |
| Lights: |
PL 36W x 3 |
| CO2: |
2 bps |
| Filter: |
Eheim Ecco 2234 |
| Plants: |
Glossostigma elatinoides, Riccia fluitans, Anubias barteri var. nana ‘Petite’ |
| Ferts: |
ADA Brighty K, Step 3, Special Lights, Special Shade, ECA, Green Gain |
| Soil: |
ADA Aquasoil Malaya, Aqua Clay bottom |
| Time taken to rescape: |
4 hours |
Jump starting the nitrogen cycle
To jump start this tank, it’s much better to reuse all filter media and fill up half of the tank with old tank water. This will jump start the nitrogen cycle using available bacteria in the filter media. More importantly, during the 4 hours of rescaping, do keep the filter running with old tank water from a pail. This will ensure bacteria living in the filter media do not suffocate.
When I first fill up the tank, the water is slightly cloudy. About 6 hours later, I noticed the water became crystal clear again. Very surprising result despite the new soil being used.
Now we just wait for the Glosso and Riccia to grow.
Pictures (Click on each image to view full fize)
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Front view
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Side view
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Glossostigma elatinoides
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Glossostigma elatinoides
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Chinese algae eater on rock. Anubias in the background.
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Close-up on rock
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“Green cloud” rock
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Quartz crystal
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Riccia near the Quartz
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Another shot of “Green cloud” rock
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Kurokinryu and Quartz rock
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Total costs
Because I’m reusing most of the equipment, so this is not considered a totally new startup. Below are the items I’ve purchased for this rescape activity:
Rocks – RM33
ADA Malays soil 9l – RM142 (Got a 15% discount)
Plant: Glossostigma elatinoides – Thanks to CK Lau.
Total: RM175
