Thinking of easing in to C02... Couple questions...

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Dark Rose

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 27, 2013
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So while at my LFS I saw they had an inexpensive C02 system ($50). I know it's not high end or ideal, but thought it would be a good place to start without a large cost outlay.

I know nothing about bubble count or rate I would need for my 40g planted... It uses the 45gram c02 cannisters.

Anyone have any general idea how long one of those would last in my setup? It appears to have a manual valve, so i'd have to remember to turn it on when I got up and the light comes on, and turn it off as soon as I get home from work...

Was thinking if it worked decent, I could started upgrading components as I go, like a solenoid I could hook up to my timer so I wouldn't have to turn it on and off manually...

Thre LFS has the 45gram canisters for $10 each, which I'm sure I could probably find cheaper online, just wondering how long they'd last to get a general idea of ongoing cost... Trying to do as good as my limited finances allow.

Or for a few dollars more I could mail order a Fluval setup that uses 88gram canisters... and the canisters are about the same cost...

I guess I'm just looking for how long a 45gram or 88gram canister would last me. Trying to get info before I jump into the shallow end, lol.
 
HybridHerp

HybridHerp

Fire Eel
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May 18, 2012
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Well, here's what I'd ask first. What kind of plants do you have, what lights, what substrate, and what fertilizers are you doing?

Those co2 systems aren't overly cost effective, and sure maybe you'd get decent results with them but for a 40 gallon, odds are that running that thing will cost you more within the first year than having bought a proper co2 setup.

Personally, I'd rather save up my money now and buy a high end co2 thing later, than spend any money on a setup that I'm going to end up finding inefficient relatively shortly.

The other thing as well is that co2 isn't necessary until you start hitting higher light outputs, so I'd say wait.
 
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burbon44s

Candiru
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May 13, 2012
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I got my co2 set up from aquacave on- line. I think the whole set up with 10 lb cylinder was around $280ish. It's pretty much set it and forget it. You just have to get cylinder filled. That's around $15 and lasts 2 1/2 years.

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HybridHerp

HybridHerp

Fire Eel
MFK Member
May 18, 2012
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New York
burbon44s said:
I got my co2 set up from aquacave on- line. I think the whole set up with 10 lb cylinder was around $280ish. It's pretty much set it and forget it. You just have to get cylinder filled. That's around $15 and lasts 2 1/2 years.

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Click to expand...
Well, pending on how much you inject.

My co2 is a 20lb on two tanks and I get 6+ months since both tanks are high tech. A 10 and a 75


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M

maxumum2

Candiru
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Dec 19, 2011
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How does lowering your ph with that work sorry for the sidetrack

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bbortko

bbortko

Polypterus
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Mar 3, 2010
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HybridHerp said:
Well, here's what I'd ask first. What kind of plants do you have, what lights, what substrate, and what fertilizers are you doing?

Those co2 systems aren't overly cost effective, and sure maybe you'd get decent results with them but for a 40 gallon, odds are that running that thing will cost you more within the first year than having bought a proper co2 setup.

Personally, I'd rather save up my money now and buy a high end co2 thing later, than spend any money on a setup that I'm going to end up finding inefficient relatively shortly.

The other thing as well is that co2 isn't necessary until you start hitting higher light outputs, so I'd say wait.
Click to expand...
Same thoughts here, if you go online and look at reviews for these systems and there are a lot of complaints about how long the cartridges last.
 
D

Dark Rose

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 27, 2013
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40 breeder, Finnex Ray2, organic potting soil/PFS mix with a Seachem fluorite black sand cap. Weekly Flourish, liquid CO2 when I remember.

Argentine sword, moneywort, scarlet temple, water sprite, and attempted glosso. I really would like something to carpet, and I've read carpeting really works best with high light (which apparently I have, causing my algae issues) and CO2.

Tried Glosso because nowhere local had dwarf baby tears.

Would also like some corkscrew val but haven't found it local either.



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HybridHerp

HybridHerp

Fire Eel
MFK Member
May 18, 2012
1,192
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New York
Dark Rose said:
40 breeder, Finnex Ray2, organic potting soil/PFS mix with a Seachem fluorite black sand cap. Weekly Flourish, liquid CO2 when I remember.

Argentine sword, moneywort, scarlet temple, water sprite, and attempted glosso. I really would like something to carpet, and I've read carpeting really works best with high light (which apparently I have, causing my algae issues) and CO2.

Tried Glosso because nowhere local had dwarf baby tears.

Would also like some corkscrew val but haven't found it local either.



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Click to expand...
With that kind of setup I'd just go straight for a good co2 setup as you are well in high light range.

Also, dwarf baby tears suck, Monte Carlo is better IMHO, but glosso is also great.


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