Truth is, when you're ready to step it up and notch and try some of the plants like you see in this tank, co2 becomes a reality, not a myth.
T5 For Planted Tank?!
- Thread starter Steveo McNello
- Start date
Haha sounds good! I have seen some C02 tanks; gorgeous. Here's another one of my threads...
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=389102
Do you agree with Jason?
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=389102
Do you agree with Jason?
Yeah he's spot-on with his info. But I don't like the WPG rule. It's really old, outdated, and silly. Here's why:
Take a 20g Long and a 20g Tall tank. Both same amount of water right? But one is tall, and one is short. Put the same fixture over both tanks. Same WPG right? Ahhh but let's focus on light intensity. The short tank will have a lot more intense light at the substrate, maybe even too much when compared to the 20g Tall.
Moral of the story, WPG = useless.
Focus on PAR, check out my charts/posts in the Lighting sticky regarding PAR.
Take a 20g Long and a 20g Tall tank. Both same amount of water right? But one is tall, and one is short. Put the same fixture over both tanks. Same WPG right? Ahhh but let's focus on light intensity. The short tank will have a lot more intense light at the substrate, maybe even too much when compared to the 20g Tall.
Moral of the story, WPG = useless.
Focus on PAR, check out my charts/posts in the Lighting sticky regarding PAR.
Excellent! Glad you guys agree. I hope I'm not asking too much, but could you [and whoever else reads this thread] compile a list of compatible, quality C02 products I need to build my system for my 125 for a good price? Give me some links? If not it's cool. Thanks again dude, more than helpful!
Sure I can help you out, but I need to know your budget. You build a full kit for less than $200, or you can buy a simple regulator that cost a lot more than that...
I want B.E.A.utiful show plants. I don't need anything top of the line. Maybe $250 tops. Or, I'll see if I can stomach paying a little more with whatever you send me. Thanks!
Ok, it's basically like this. Do you want to drive to work in Hyundai or a Mercedes? 
Both do the same thing, one does it with better components, and better quality, that should give you a longer life.
The regulator that Jason linked you is a great budget regulator. I would look on craiglist for used co2 tanks before buying new. I found a 20lb tank for only $50!
I would skip out on the glass diffusor for a tank your size, and instead go with the DIY reactor. You could build one for about $15-25, depending on the materials used. Here's the original idea: http://www.rexgrigg.com/diy-reactor.htm
The only piece that you can really upgrade on is the regulator. This is the heart of system. When you buy a pricer model, you get a better needle valve which gives you rock solid fine tuning adjustments, better components like higher quality solenoids, and bodies.
This is the one I bought, expensive but some of the best parts out there: http://sumoregulator.com/PremierLine.html
And here's some more high-quality options, including decent cheaper ones:
http://greenleafaquariums.com/co2-regulators.html
Both do the same thing, one does it with better components, and better quality, that should give you a longer life. The regulator that Jason linked you is a great budget regulator. I would look on craiglist for used co2 tanks before buying new. I found a 20lb tank for only $50!
I would skip out on the glass diffusor for a tank your size, and instead go with the DIY reactor. You could build one for about $15-25, depending on the materials used. Here's the original idea: http://www.rexgrigg.com/diy-reactor.htm
The only piece that you can really upgrade on is the regulator. This is the heart of system. When you buy a pricer model, you get a better needle valve which gives you rock solid fine tuning adjustments, better components like higher quality solenoids, and bodies.
This is the one I bought, expensive but some of the best parts out there: http://sumoregulator.com/PremierLine.html
And here's some more high-quality options, including decent cheaper ones:
http://greenleafaquariums.com/co2-regulators.html
Alright I'm pretty sure I can build my own reactor, that doesn't look bad. And are all tanks pretty much universal?
What's the drawback of a glass reactor on my tank?
Would the regulator Jason sent me be ok?
What's the drawback of a glass reactor on my tank?
Would the regulator Jason sent me be ok?
If it was used for co2, then it will be the standard CGA-320 thread which will work for any regulator.
The glass thing is a diffusor, not a reactor. Not the most effecient method, especially for larger tanks. What you are trying to avoid is co2 bubbles, since once they reach the surface they gas off to atmosphere, wasting your co2. A reactor is nice because they completely churn up all co2 bubbles.
And yeah, that Milwaukee regulator is a popular starter kit, should work fine.
The glass thing is a diffusor, not a reactor. Not the most effecient method, especially for larger tanks. What you are trying to avoid is co2 bubbles, since once they reach the surface they gas off to atmosphere, wasting your co2. A reactor is nice because they completely churn up all co2 bubbles.
And yeah, that Milwaukee regulator is a popular starter kit, should work fine.
Alright so given I build my own reactor and go with the regulator Jason sent me. Where am I at for cost if I find a decent tank? Or better yet cost for my set up. And I won't be able to reply back until 10:30 Chicago time cause I'm leaving for work.
