im a beginner

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
CF stands for compact flourescent (also called PC for power compact)
NO is normal output
HO is high output

The diy jello co2 needn't be near as complicated as that last link shows. I used 4 4oz packs of jello mix and two cups of sugar in each 2 liter bottle. Mix it all up and let it solidify in the 2 liter bottle. Just add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon yeast in about a cup of luke warm water after the jello has hardened and you should be good to go. You also don't need to use any sealant around the tubes on the caps if you drill the holes smaller than your tubings outside diameter and then cut the tubing on an angle so you can pull it through the smaller hole sizes. The big bubble wand is also not needed because you aren't producing much co2. A small airstone or better yet a limewood bubblers will suffice. Pretty much common sense will guide you through it. And a jello co2 set-up will not keep any decent level of co2 in the tank with surface turbulence(HOB filters.) I couldn't keep co2 in my 29g until I got rid of the HOB and used a canister.
 
I wouldn't bother with Jello, just get Champagne yeast and your output will last just as long and you don't have to do all of those extra steps like boiling and waiting. I have done both side by side the Jello lasted 3 days longer (34 vs 31) but I don't think it is worth it at all, considering a yeast+sugar bottle takes 3 minutes to change out.
 
I don't know how much of the mixture you made quadpants, but it obviously wasn't enough. I use the jello set-up on my 29 gallon and I've been running the same bottle for about 9 weeks now and it looks like it will be good for a few more. Once this one runs out though, I'm going pressurized. I use it on my 150g and it's a lot easier once it's all set-up. You can regulate your co2 levels so much easier, and co2 is dirt cheap so I'm done bothering with yeast mixtures. I'm also done hijacking this thread!
 
I have both on my 29g. I did switch out the one colormax bulb with another 6700K so now the T5 has two 6700K bulbs. The colormax made things too pink for me. If you are going to get just one of the fixtures, get the coralife compact flourescent. It lights up more of the tank than the T5 strip and is brighter. The T5 strip does well but it throws a fairly narrow strip of light down through the aquarium. I do like that the T5 bulbs are 1/3 the price of the CF bulbs and they stretch almost the complete length of the aquarium whereas the CF actual bulb is only about 20" long. The T5 just isn't quite powerful enough on it's own in my opinion. If I was going to do it all again though I'd try to find a 30" HO T5 fixture. I think it would be perfect for a 29g.
 
Don't get either of those fixtures. The coralife T5 is decent, but only a NO, and not to great for plant growth. The 30" CF light is a waste of money, just get the 24" fixture, it uses the exact same ballast, and light. The 30" is just more plastic and metal, but no more light.
 
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