how much c02 do i need?

I use a pressurized system, I'm not familiar with the unit you are using.

The best way is to implement the use of a drop checker. This contains a liquid that changes color depending on the amount of disolved co2 within that liquid.

I bought mine at that fish place, but I think a better deal is at
http://www.greenleafaquariums.com/co2-drop-checkers.html

also get the 4DKH test solution, because that is what maked the drop checker accurate..

^right on re: Drop checker.

I have a 46g bow w/ 96W PC lighting. Before going pressurized, I ran a pair of 1Gallon jugs of DIY CO2 and *barely* got my dropchecker to go green now and then, and this was with pretty minimal surface agitation and an extra-fine airstone feeding the CO2 into a Eheim 2215...

jujubee said:

I have a 46 gallon, heavily planted tank with 96 watts of light (2.08 wpg). RIght now i have one of those store bought c02 things, the hagen plant grow natural system. how much more co2 would i need if i went up to 126 watts of light (2.73 wpg)? Would another plant grow natural sytem be enough for that much light?

Click to expand...

As suggested, go pressurized.

Do NOT add more light, instead, focus on good stable CO2.
Having enough light is really rarely an issue, CO2 is about 95% of every algae related thread here and most every other forum.

A good pressurized gas tank CO2 system is the best thing you can do at this point and focus 90% of your efforts there.

While I can fire up the HQI's on my hoods, I just use the lower light PC's or T5's, at 1.8-2 w/gal and good CO2.

I grow Tonia, nice red stem plants etc etc etc, you name the weed, I've grown it at this range of light.

Here's an example of a tank with 1.5 W/gal:


Good CO2.

Regards,
Tom Barr