Let's Say I Wanted to Try CO2...

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Steveo McNello

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Dec 30, 2010
2,009
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53
SW Burbs of Chicago
Hello everybody. Question...

I have read all the threads of people who swear by CO2, and those who have "debunked" the myth of needing it, so I really don't know where I stand. I have had a planted 125 gallon tank for 3 weeks. No carbon in the filter, and liquid fertilizer once a week.

My question is, what are all of the components of a CO2 system and where do I use/get them? How/where do I refill the cylinder? I have read a few threads and I don't have time to read through 1,200 more pages.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!
 
Steveo McNello;4830022; said:
what are all of the components of a CO2 system
where do I use/get them?
How/where do I refill the cylinder?
Any thoughts?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I hope I can explain and answer all your questions. (I am not talking about DIY)

Is Co2 required...NO
Is Co2 helpful...YES
Can you have plant growth without Co2 ... Depends on the plants you select.

First off I always say avoid Co2 if necessary. One of the determining factors of having to go to Co2 is LIGHTING, so my question to you is What is your lighting system? T8, T12, T5 (HO or NO) give me Watts.

Now another determining factor is plant selection. There are many MANY plants that do not require Co2 and will grow GREAT in low lighting. So my question to you is Are you going for low maintance? Speciality plants that are a little harder to grow? A Challange?

You see a lot of the reason people are forced to move to Co2 (pressurized) because they thought they needed to upgrade their lights to grow plants, which is a common misconception. So now lights have been upgraded to more than needed and not enough plants to out compete the algae and now WE have an algae problem.

So picking your plants is very important.

The startup cost of Co2 is a little expensive but if done in a thrify manner can save you some money.

Regulator
l_ma957%20co2%20reg.jpg


Not the top of the line but a great starter regulator, comes with Co2 tubing, FREE SHIPPING, bubble counter and solenoid $86.00
http://www.water-testers.com/contents/en-us/d100_milwaukee-ma957-co2-regulator.html

Now you need something to house the co2 gasses (cylinder) I would recommend a 10lb since this is for a 125gal. $80.00
http://www.aquariumplants.com/Aluminum_CO2_Cylinders_Tanks_p/t.htm

Now you need a co2 Diffuser. $15.00

b881_1.JPG


http://cgi.ebay.com/S3-CO2-Diffuser...667?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a4c8bae23


Now you have to determine how much Co2 you're getting into your tank and that's where a Drop Checker comes into play, along with calibrated 4dKH solution.

!BtLs3gQCWk~$(KGrHqMH-DEEvn,0WYz3BL63MgrC9g~~_12.JPG


Drop checker - $15
http://cgi.ebay.com/Drop-Checker-Te...737?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a5ad7b341


4dKH Solution - $8.00
!Bb3mPKwCGk~$(KGrHqUOKjEEq5WZT!SyBKyCb!7y!!~~_12.JPG


http://cgi.ebay.com/4-dKH-Reference...223?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35af3c582f




Hope this helps, if you have any questions don't hesitate to POP IN.


OH yea I almost forgot about refilling. Most welding supplys around me wants you to lease one of their tanks. So you will need to call around to find out if any REFILL YOUR TANK. Now call some fire extinguisher companies in your area, those that specifically REFILL extinguisher. I have one in my area and he ALSO refills co2 cylinders. I have a 5lb bottle and it cost $14.75 to refill it. It last me about 4 months.
 
Wow, that was more than I could have asked for in a response haha thanks a lot!

I have 6, 60 watt daylight CFL's in my canopy. They sit above glass tops that I keep clean. So I am running 2.88 watts per gallon.

I have giant amazon swords, brazil swords, mexican oak leaf, green foxtail [cabomba?], wisteria, crpty spirallis, and water sprite.
 
Steveo McNello;4831779; said:
I have 6, 60 watt daylight CFL's in my canopy.

So I am running 2.88 watts per gallon.

I have giant amazon swords, brazil swords, mexican oak leaf, green foxtail [cabomba?], wisteria, crpty spirallis, and water sprite.
Click to expand...

You don't get the same intensity with CFL'S as you do T5's or T12's (Now that, I can't explain to you as far as the lack of benefits from using CFL's)

"So I am running 2.88 watts per gallon" No you're not, CFL does not penetrate the water very well.

I would love to see some pics...
 
Steveo McNello;4832127; said:
What kind of lighting can I get for a decent price?
Click to expand...

I am assuming this is 72 1/2 correct.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

2 of these to fit in the canopy. They are 48" so there will be some run over in the middle of the tank.

Uses (2) 40 watt T12 lamps Total 160W of T12
4100 K (which I would find different bulbs 10k would be good)

SO if the height of the tank is 23" and say the light strips are an additional 6-7 inches from the top and your substrate is 3" deap = 27in from the light to the top of the substrate. You might be hitting 1.4 wpg and if you can get your hands on some GOOD reflectors it will only HELP..


Or in the T5 realm
2 of these

http://cgi.ebay.com/SolarMax-36-T5-...001?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item439e9713f1
 
Wow. Very good info. In your opinion what would be the better way to go? Would 2 of those T5's be enough for my tank? And those bulbs aren't energy efficient correct?
 
Steveo McNello;4834396; said:
http://cgi.ebay.com/72-Aquarium-Lig...044?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c5a2ec6ec



http://cgi.ebay.com/72-T5-HO-Aquari...005?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb393ab0d
Click to expand...


http://cgi.ebay.com/72-Aquarium-Light-8X-35-W-Grow-Lighting-T5-Plant-/190491576044?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c5a2ec6ec

Man you're going to blow up with ALGAE in no time with that ligth
280W. The bulbs would have to be replaced.



http://cgi.ebay.com/72-T5-HO-Aquarium-hood-2W-80w-2-CORDS-AND-MOON-LIGHTS-/260710837005?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb393ab0d

I do like this one But you would really need to be careful with your photo period. Also you would need to drop the Actinic and maybe replace with another 10K or 67K/65K. Again though this would be one of those situations where IT might be TOO much light without Co2 in place.
 
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