For DIY C02: Shut off at night?

[Pyramid_Party]

Hi,


Since the plants let off CO2 when the lights are off, should you shut off the CO2 supply? With pressurized systems they can use a solenoid. Does any of you DIYers unscrew your cap to stop CO2 from entering the tank at night?

I am worried about overdosing my fish with too much CO2. I noticed the PH also dropped a little since adding CO2. My DIY CO2 releases about 1 bubble every 2-3 seconds. At times I have seen it at 1 bubble a second, but most consistently 1 bubble every 2-3 seconds. If I get 1 bps should I be fearful of CO2 OD'ing my fish? How about leaving it on at night? Thx

 

[chonhzilla]

I don't have much experience with the DIY co2 but the folks I know simply add an air stone after the lights go off.

 

[Pyramid_Party]

I see. At what bps is unsafe for livestock in the tank? DIY or pressurized.

 

[chonhzilla]

I see. At what bps is unsafe for livestock in the tank? DIY or pressurized.

Well, it depends of your plants are being able to use the CO2 in the water fast enough, which calls for a drop checker. Drop checkers allow you to maintain a steady flow of CO2 with color indicators that shows you where the amount of CO2 in the water is at. The colors are blue, green and yellow. Blues means you need more, green is good and yellow means too much. In your case with DIY CO2 you simply increase or reduce the amount of mixture to create pressure. Every tank is different and unique in its own way, its a combination of all your equipment combined which will determine the correct amount of CO2. Lights, surface agitation, plants ect.

 

[Pyramid_Party]

It is a low tech set up. 29 gallon with dual T5NO bulbs. My biggest concern is the health of my fish. So I wonder since it is at a lower lights, will this amount of Co2 be used up. I am not really trying to get the best of my Co2, rather just trying to give my plants extra Co2 without threatening the fish at all. Like I say, I get about 1 bubble per 2-3 seconds. It is moderately planted but hope to get it heavily planted. Going to add in some foreground plants.

 

[chonhzilla]

That might even be too much light for low tech, but 1 bps will not affect the fish, just plug in an air pump for the night time, you'll be fine.

What type of plants do you have now?

 

[limz_777]

one good sign is to observe your fish when lights off

 

[Pyramid_Party]

The lights I have are normal output not high out put T5.


I have wisteria, java moss, java fern, anubias nana, cryptocoryne wendtii, dwarf lily, rotala indica, lobelia cardinalis, ammania gracilis, alternathera renechii, and soon to add some dwarf clover in the foreground (marsalia minuta). Full tank shot:

 

[chonhzilla]

How are you adding the co2 into your system?

 

[Pyramid_Party]

It is a glass diffuser similar to the ADA style. If you look in the picture to the left you can see it kinda.