Co2 setup for a 55gallon

[Zorro]

Just something im thinking about doing in the future. I did have plants befor but no Co2. I had micro swords died. but my amazon swords did great. Im just think if i had Co2 I would be better off with plants.

Tank is alot diffrent now with black sand and one Java Fern.

And i have a triple light strip.

 

[WyldFya]

Well when you start talking co2, generally ferts and a good substrate go hand in hand. WPG is also something to look at. Are you thinking of pressurized co2 or reactor? My main planted tank has 650 watts over it, Co2 injection, Greg watson ferts, flourite and onyx substrate, lots of wood, and a lot of my time. About to start diluting the tanks KH down, shooting for 3dKH.

 

[evercl92]

Just like Wildfya said, adding CO2 means getting good ferts, good lighting, and good substrate. Carbon is probably the limiting nutrient in your tank (it is for the majority of tanks) but if you inject CO2 w/o supplementing the other nutrients [mainly P, N, K, Fe (especially for your sword) and other traces] then you now become limited by one of those. Then you have to have pretty good lighting, for the plants to be able to utilize the nutrients. I'm by no means saying don't inject CO2 (either by pressurized, DIY, or Flourish Excel). I'm simply stating that IF you get into the CO2 injection, be prepared to keep an eye on the other nutrients. I also am a big fan of fertilizers from gregwatson.com . You can get about a year's worth of ferts for your tank (looks like a 55gal) for under $25 shipped (rough guess). Alot of this will depend on how involved you want to get with this, as well as what plants you want to grow.

There are quite a few plants that do just fine with normal comes-with-the-tank fluorescent bulbs, a little bit of fertilizer and some Flourish Excel 2x a week. Other plants require 4+ watts/gallon of compact fluorescent (or better) lighting, alternating fertilizer schedules, and continuous CO2 injection.

 

[WyldFya]

Haha, I know that price. It is $25 shipped to your door for 3 lbs of ferts.

 

[stotty]

Well when you start talking co2, generally ferts and a good substrate go hand in hand. WPG is also something to look at. Are you thinking of pressurized co2 or reactor? My main planted tank has 650 watts over it, Co2 injection, Greg watson ferts, flourite and onyx substrate, lots of wood, and a lot of my time. About to start diluting the tanks KH down, shooting for 3dKH.

Spot on

Its no secret you require

1.Good Lighting
2.Fertilization(Just like land plants, aquatic plants need replenishment of nutrients and minerals that are depleted)
3.Substrate ( take a look at this link)



http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/kelly-intro.html very good


I didn’t use co2 for years the last planted tank I had had a very cheap unit on it and it made a big change in my ideas on them. But if you want to do it a budget have a look at the link. BUT if you can get the co2 kit from the shop get it.

 

[WyldFya]

That is a great link stotty! I know A Jim kelly, but I am certain they are not the same person, considering he doesn't know the first thing about a fish bowl... There is a good fully automatic CO2 unit on ebay, Milwaukee everything, even the pH controller for 161.99 right now.

 

[stotty]

That is a great link stotty! I know A Jim kelly, but I am certain they are not the same person, considering he doesn't know the first thing about a fish bowl... There is a good fully automatic CO2 unit on ebay, Milwaukee everything, even the pH controller for 161.99 right now.

If you don't want it post the link up some one might have it

 

[freshyfishy]

You can try the making 2 of the DIY co2 systems see if it at all works then invest in some nice lights and ferts.

 

[Zorro]

Just like Wildfya said, adding CO2 means getting good ferts, good lighting, and good substrate. Carbon is probably the limiting nutrient in your tank (it is for the majority of tanks) but if you inject CO2 w/o supplementing the other nutrients [mainly P, N, K, Fe (especially for your sword) and other traces] then you now become limited by one of those. Then you have to have pretty good lighting, for the plants to be able to utilize the nutrients. I'm by no means saying don't inject CO2 (either by pressurized, DIY, or Flourish Excel). I'm simply stating that IF you get into the CO2 injection, be prepared to keep an eye on the other nutrients. I also am a big fan of fertilizers from gregwatson.com . You can get about a year's worth of ferts for your tank (looks like a 55gal) for under $25 shipped (rough guess). Alot of this will depend on how involved you want to get with this, as well as what plants you want to grow.

There are quite a few plants that do just fine with normal comes-with-the-tank fluorescent bulbs, a little bit of fertilizer and some Flourish Excel 2x a week. Other plants require 4+ watts/gallon of compact fluorescent (or better) lighting, alternating fertilizer schedules, and continuous CO2 injection.

I have no carbon everything is all sponge. and it is a 55gallon and theres no more sword

 

[WyldFya]

I have no carbon everything is all sponge. and it is a 55gallon and theres no more sword

He means the carbon from the carbon dioxide, not activated carbon.