My First Planted Tank

M

Maverick2007

AC Members
Aug 24, 2007
27
0
0
Portugal
Hello Everyone,

I am now in my second week with my new tank (20 gal bow front). Tank is currently cycling (fishless) and while I was waiting I thought I would consider a DIY CO2 system.

The tank has gravel 2-3” with river stones and the following three plants:

Vallisneria Neotropicalis
Lilaeopsis novae zelandiae
Ophiopogon pussilus

When I first planted I also used root tabs to help fertilize the roots and help it get started. The lighting is standard that came with the aquarium 15 W florescent “day light”

I have already performed a water change this past weekend and tested my water with the following results:

PH – 6.5
GH – 3 deg
KH – 4 deg

Ammonia – 0.2
Nitrite – 0
Nitrate - >40

My question is will I be able to start a DIY CO2 system or will my PH crash.

Any comments or suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
 
Hey Folks,

Can anyone please offer some assistance as I would like to know if I add DIY CO2 if my PH will crash based on my current GH and KH readings.

Thanks and Cheers !!

BTW, I have performed further water tests todays and the results are as follows:

Ammonia - 0
Nitrites - 0
Nitrates - >40 ppm

PH 6.5
KH - 3
GH - 3

Also I have addes 4 more Vallisneria Neotropicalis plants yesterday (also used root tablets for each plant to help them get started)

Thanks Again and Cheers
 
rich311k said:
You should have no problems adding the CO2 to the tank. How many bottles and what size are you planning on adding?
Click to expand...

Hey Rich311k, I am planning on using 1 2Liter bottle with airstone. The mix I plan on using is 2 cups sugar, 1 tsp baking soda and 1/2 yeast

Cheers
 
rich311k said:
You may want to do two bottles and change one each week on a staggered basis. That will keep your CO2 levels more steady.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

rich311k, thank you for the suggestion but I have one question from reading various post here on AC and other resources it was suggested that the one bottle whould last about 3 weeks.

Could you kindly explain how a 2 X 2 L system would maintain CO2 levels mor steady; I am very new to this any still learning.

Thanks and Cheers
 
With two bottles that are staggered as one is starting to fizzle the other is just hitting its peak. That way the CO2 levels in your tank don't peak an drop as much. If you put a check valve on both input lines before the T connector the system will stay pressurized when you change out a bottle.
 
rich311k said:
With two bottles that are staggered as one is starting to fizzle the other is just hitting its peak. That way the CO2 levels in your tank don't peak an drop as much. If you put a check valve on both input lines before the T connector the system will stay pressurized when you change out a bottle.
Click to expand...

I see then, so does that mean that i have two bottles adding CO2 at the same time and as one beginns to fizzle out I replace with a new batch? By using a second bottle am I at risk to introducing too much CO2 to the point where it could be dangerous to the fish.

One other question concerning the check valve. I was under the impression that the check valve was to ensure that no mix entered the aquarium water or vice versa. So to clarify does the check valve also allows the system to stay pressurized?

Thanks again and Cheers
 
Start the bottles a week apart. That way one is always going full. It would be hard to add to much CO2 with DIY in a 20 gallon tank. You could run an airstone at night for piece of mind if you want.

The check valves do keep the water in the tank, they also keep any CO2 in the lines in the lines. That way when you unscrew a bottle top the CO2 stays in the line instead of bleeding completely out and forcing the system to completely start over.
I would recommend 3 valves, one between the T and reactor and one each between the T and bottle with flow direction headed towards the aquarium obviously so the CO2 goes in the tank instead of backing up and causing a sugary explosion. I only say this because I did it backwards my first time and let me just say, "Wow what a mess."
 
rich311k said:
Start the bottles a week apart. That way one is always going full. It would be hard to add to much CO2 with DIY in a 20 gallon tank. You could run an airstone at night for piece of mind if you want.

The check valves do keep the water in the tank, they also keep any CO2 in the lines in the lines. That way when you unscrew a bottle top the CO2 stays in the line instead of bleeding completely out and forcing the system to completely start over.
I would recommend 3 valves, one between the T and reactor and one each between the T and bottle with flow direction headed towards the aquarium obviously so the CO2 goes in the tank instead of backing up and causing a sugary explosion. I only say this because I did it backwards my first time and let me just say, "Wow what a mess."
Click to expand...

Hey rich311k,

Thanks for the clarification I appreciate the info.....I have already bulit one CO2 generator and will start work on the second soon. I will need to go out and buy the check valves this week.

Thanks again and Cheers
 
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