View Full Version : CO2 and surface movement
tanker
11-10-2003, 3:00 AM
My CO2 system just arrived, going to pick it up tomorrow. The problem is I have lots of surface water movement, will this not dispell the CO2. The tank is a 100gal filtered by 2 HOT magnums. Should I change filters?? If so which one?? I have over 100 tetra size fishes plus 7 angle fishes in the tank.
I also notice that if I point the output nozzles lower into tank my water surface will soon get an oily film.
Any suggestions or ideas. Thx.
You need to keep the surface agitation to a minimum.
In my experience the best filter for doing this in a planted tank is a cannister.
I have two 55s.....one with a Filstar cannister and one with a power filter(HOB). The tank with the cannister takes about 75% less gas to reach the desired absorption rate.
Go to www.bigalsonline.com and research their cannisters for price and flow so you can decide which would be best for you.
As to your surface scum. Pick up two or three female Black Mollies at your LFS. They will take care of the surface scum. The females are very industrious in that regard.
Len
tanker
11-10-2003, 2:28 PM
As to your surface scum. Pick up two or three female Black Mollies at your LFS. They will take care of the surface scum. The females are very industrious in that regard
Thx for info, but how does mollies clean oilly film on water surface??
Most surface scum is composed of algae residue that stays on the surface. Ironically, it usually occurs in tank with little surface movement. Mollies, for some reason like that material. You'll have to ask them why. I personally like Italian, so I can't answer that question.
HOWEVER, if it is oil of some sort, that's another issue. Another way of getting rid of it if you feel that it's oil is to gently float a paper towel over the surface and it will pick up the scum. The towel solution is just a temporary on though.
Then you have to figure out why you have oil in your tank.
I tend to think it's something that can be addressed with Mollies.
I had an open top that collected surface scum and within days they took care of it.
Len
tanker
11-10-2003, 3:03 PM
OK thx. Will try a few mollies.
superjohnny
11-10-2003, 5:13 PM
Originally posted by djlen
... You'll have to ask them why. I personally like Italian, so I can't answer that question.
...
OMG that's the funniest thing I've read here in WEEKS. Good one Len :D