I started my foray into planted tanks about 8 months ago. I had always liked live plants, but for some reason found the notion of keeping them overwhelming as to all the proper equipment needed.
I started with my 20 gallon long (thread is in my signature) with a basic dual fixture T5 at 2 watts per gallon and a basic liquid fertilizer (flourish). I was happy with the results--I didn't kill any plants, and they looked much better than plastic.
After a while, I purchased a bottle of Flourish Excel (a liquid co2 supplement). I saw markedly improved growth with this product. My java fern started taking off and my compact sword started shooting new leaves every week.
Later, I was sent an email through a friend of a friend from someone nearby about a pressurized co2 system for sale for a great price, and I decided to take the plunge. The system was a five pound aluminum co2 tank and a milwaukee regulator for $80. I purchased a nice glass diffuser from my LFS and set it up in my 20 gallon, while planning my new 33 gallon tank I had recently purchased. You could say this was a trial run to figure out the specifics of the co2 system.
I'll be honest, I was not expecting too much of an improvement over Flourish Excel. I had the extra money and bought the system on a whim. However, I couldn't have been happier with the results.
All I can say is... WOW. I experienced more plant growth in a couple weeks than I had in months and months of no co2. All my plants began exploding with growth.
I am sold. I will never go back to having a devoted planted tank without pressurized co2. I have even made some money back with bringing in some clippings to a LFS, as my plants were growing so much I needed to get rid of some. I am also able to give a lot of my extra plants to friends for free.
I wanted to share this with MFK and reassure anyone thinking of taking the plunge on a co2 system it is well worth it. The results are so much more satisfying as a planted tank enthusiast. There are deals out there if you look and the cost is really small compared to the results IMO.
My new 33 gallon will soon have its own thread on here. I am looking forward to continuing to see the results of a proper co2 system.
I started with my 20 gallon long (thread is in my signature) with a basic dual fixture T5 at 2 watts per gallon and a basic liquid fertilizer (flourish). I was happy with the results--I didn't kill any plants, and they looked much better than plastic.
After a while, I purchased a bottle of Flourish Excel (a liquid co2 supplement). I saw markedly improved growth with this product. My java fern started taking off and my compact sword started shooting new leaves every week.
Later, I was sent an email through a friend of a friend from someone nearby about a pressurized co2 system for sale for a great price, and I decided to take the plunge. The system was a five pound aluminum co2 tank and a milwaukee regulator for $80. I purchased a nice glass diffuser from my LFS and set it up in my 20 gallon, while planning my new 33 gallon tank I had recently purchased. You could say this was a trial run to figure out the specifics of the co2 system.
I'll be honest, I was not expecting too much of an improvement over Flourish Excel. I had the extra money and bought the system on a whim. However, I couldn't have been happier with the results.
All I can say is... WOW. I experienced more plant growth in a couple weeks than I had in months and months of no co2. All my plants began exploding with growth.
I am sold. I will never go back to having a devoted planted tank without pressurized co2. I have even made some money back with bringing in some clippings to a LFS, as my plants were growing so much I needed to get rid of some. I am also able to give a lot of my extra plants to friends for free.
I wanted to share this with MFK and reassure anyone thinking of taking the plunge on a co2 system it is well worth it. The results are so much more satisfying as a planted tank enthusiast. There are deals out there if you look and the cost is really small compared to the results IMO.
My new 33 gallon will soon have its own thread on here. I am looking forward to continuing to see the results of a proper co2 system.
