T5 For Planted Tank?!

[JasonG75]

It's only a myth for the guys that have never tried it before. They get all excited because they grow a few strands of some weedy plant. Ask anybody that actually uses co2 if it's a myth

You can grow several hardy plants w/o co2. Some of the nicer looking and more delicate species, not a chance. They'll wither away and die before you even know what happened.

YEAP .... There are some plants where Co2 is more important than LIGHTING for example HC (dwaft baby tears) Co2 is soo much more important than the lighting.
I would as already recommended stay away for HO BUT you maybe find some NormalOut Put lights. They'll be hard to find but are a better option.

 

[Steveo McNello]

Alright. So whatever I do, CO2 before any kind of T5. I'm sure CO2 with my lights would be fine. I'm really looking into this, kind of excited.

 

[Steveo McNello]

If I test my CO2 levels, what exactly am I looking for?

 

[JasonG75]

The only way to test co2 levels is with a drop checker

 

[Steveo McNello]

Hmmm alrighty. What am I looking for as far as results?

 

[jcardona1]

A drop checker with 4dkh solution will turn green when you have approximately 30ppm of co2, which is considered ideal. I would keep mine bright yellow, indicating 40-50ppm.

If you want to know the science behind a drop checker, this is a great read
http://www.njagc.net/articles/co2dropchecker.htm

 

[Steveo McNello]

Oh wow that's also some good info. I doubt the output of co2 from my fish is enough for my plants.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Co2-Pro-System-Red-Sea-/280621619278?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41565a184e

So if I get this, [^is that a good one?] I would need a co2 tank, the drop checker, and then what else?

 

[jcardona1]

^ those are garbage. Stick with the Milwaukee kit. All you would need then is a co2 tank, drop checker, diffusor/reactor, and a timers for your lights and co2 solenoid.

 

[Steveo McNello]

Lol thanks for the heads up. The Milwaukee one the thing you sent me earlier in this thread? And I saw the guy selling the 20 pound tank, is that the size I need?

 

[jcardona1]

Yeah I think Jason linked you that one in the other thread. For tank size, go as big as you can lift/fit/afford. The bigger the tank, the longer you go between refills. Put it outside the stand if you have to, behind the tank.