Small Changes, Big Results

[Zamboniman]

It's amazing how small changes sometimes can have such large results. I wasn't happy with my DIY CO2 reactor (powerhead and gravel suction tube, yeast generated CO2, 4 2 liter bottles for a 90 gallon) as it didn't seem to be mixing and dissolving all the CO2 and I was losing some to bubbles to the surface, so I fiddled around with it a bit and changed it up.

Earlier the powerhead was at the bottom of the tube sucking water down with a sponge at the top preventing CO2 bubbles from escaping as I didn't have a connector/adaptor needed to put the powerhead at the top and have the water blow down into it. I wouldn't have thought it would make much difference, water flowing down, bubbles flowing up and mixing in both cases, but wow.

I figured out a little DIY adapter using a plastic gizmo of unknown origins in my kitchen junk drawer that let me have the powerhead blow down into the gravel tube from the top. Literally 5 minutes after getting it running my plants started pearling and bubbling like crazy, looked almost like they do right after a water change when all the dissolved gases in the fresh water are coming out.

:dance: I'm just pleased as punch with the sudden results.

[Mgamer20o0]

a lot more co2 is getting into your water now. thats a good thing.

[Ketso]

Was just a week or so ago when I went through what you are seeing now. I sat back and stared for quite some time. I was on cloud nine like you are.

However, start preparing for the next level. ALGAE! :) I was running a 55g with 2wpg and a two 2-liter bottle DIY Co2. Along with adding ferts and Excel. 2 days after starting the Co2 the algae moved in and started taking over. I hope this doesnt happen to you. Really, I dont. But, in case it does, it's better to start preparing now.

If you havent already, read Rex's Guide to Planted Aquarims (http://www.rexgrigg.com/). After that, I would suggest you be ready to double, if not triple, your Co2 production. I am running the equivilant to 6 2-liter bottles on my 55g. A 90g must need about 10-12 bottles or so (just a guess). Better would be to buy a pressurized setup. I would also suggest getting a kH/gH test kit and testing to see how much Co2 is getting into the tank. I would wager a guess that your setup has you in the ballpark of 12ppm Co2. (My 2 bottle DIY got me to 9ppm in 55g).

Just a few suggestions. I havent, by any means, nixed the algae in my 55, but it's getting better. Like I said before, I hope you dont get an algae prob. However, be prepared for it.

Good luck.
DeMonZ

[Zamboniman]

Was just a week or so ago when I went through what you are seeing now. I sat back and stared for quite some time. I was on cloud nine like you are.

However, start preparing for the next level. ALGAE! :) I was running a 55g with 2wpg and a two 2-liter bottle DIY Co2. Along with adding ferts and Excel. 2 days after starting the Co2 the algae moved in and started taking over. I hope this doesnt happen to you. Really, I dont. But, in case it does, it's better to start preparing now.

If you havent already, read Rex's Guide to Planted Aquarims (http://www.rexgrigg.com/). After that, I would suggest you be ready to double, if not triple, your Co2 production. I am running the equivilant to 6 2-liter bottles on my 55g. A 90g must need about 10-12 bottles or so (just a guess). Better would be to buy a pressurized setup. I would also suggest getting a kH/gH test kit and testing to see how much Co2 is getting into the tank. I would wager a guess that your setup has you in the ballpark of 12ppm Co2. (My 2 bottle DIY got me to 9ppm in 55g).

Just a few suggestions. I havent, by any means, nixed the algae in my 55, but it's getting better. Like I said before, I hope you dont get an algae prob. However, be prepared for it.

Good luck.
DeMonZ

Excellent advice, thanks. I have read Rex's guide already and have already been considering a pressurized CO2 setup. I already have Kh/Gh and Ph test kits and have been testing frequently to see where I'm at.

I'll be keeping a close eye on things over the next few days to see if algae starts to be a real problem. In the meantime, I'll save my pennies and dimes for the pressurized CO2 setup. Soon, soon.... (We don't REALLY need those new cabinets, do we dear? Think of how nice the fish tank will look! :))