Can someone please recommend a Co2 device, and a florecent plant tube?

[Mr. Bill]

Hello,

Well, my 1st 20 gallon-long tropical tank is set up. With a big dose of "Bio-Spira" bacteria, and 7 daily doses of "Cycle" for good measure, ammonia & nitrite levels have leveled-out to zero in just 2-weeks.

My first question is, I want to now put in a ALL live plants, (I now only have 2 Vallisneria or “eel grass“ live plants in the gravel), and I was wondering if I need a Co2 hang-on “thingy” before I load the tank up with live plants. (?) I'm still not exactly sure what a Co2 filter does, but I heard it is very good for plants. If you think I need one, is there one that someone can recommend for my 20 gallon?

My second question is, I have a double-bulb fluorescent fixture on top, and would like to put in at least one bulb in that is just for the plants to thrive on. Right now I just have (2) “stock” 20 watt bulbs in there, (24"). Any suggestions on a good freshwater tube for plants?

I SO MUCH appreciate ANY plant advice!!

Bill in San Diego.

TANK SPECS:
20 gallon long
Eheim Pro II 2026 canister,
with Eheim Substrate Pro, & Seachem Matrix Carbon
pH: 7.2
General Harness: 5
Temp: 76
Fish: so far, 6 Zebra Danio’s, and 5 Tiger Barbs.
(The Zebra Danio’s are already mating! It’s a bit frustrating to see my fish getting more action than me.):rolleyes:

[DIYMatt]

Hello Mr. Bill- First, I would go to the main forums page read the Sticky post on fertilizers -The Informal FAQ. This details all of the nutreints you need to grow plants i.e. Macros(N,P,K), micros, light, and Carbon(CO2). Take the dosing amounts with a little grain of salt because these are generally for people with high-tech tanks. You are probably somewhere in the middle. Basically, you need the correct balance with all of the above to grow your plants well and not have a massive algae outbreak. After you go through, post your questions and someone should try to answer them. Now, on to your actual questions;)

1. A CO2 generator is just that it makes CO2, which is an excellent source of Carbon for the plants. Since plants are predominantly made of Carbon it is a good thing. All of the "hang-on" CO2 units I have seen and just yeast/sugar reactors that essentially ferment sugar and the by-product is CO2 gas. If you want one of those IMO you can make one yourself for less than $10 that does a better job than the commercial ones. Search on these boards for DIY CO2 or PM me and I will send you my technique. Another good carbon source that is more costly but a lot easier on a tank your size is a product made by Seachem called Excel. It is a liquid you dose like a fertilizer that provides a source of Carbon for the plants. I use it on my ten gallons and it seems to work great. Over time it costs more than other sources of carbon but I think you are talking like $40 a year on your tank.

2. Flourescent tubes: What type of strip light did you buy? What types of bulbs are in there? are there markings, if so, please post them. Are they T8, T10, or T12? T8's are 1" diameter, T10 - 1.25", T12's are 1.5"I really only have experience with the T12s. From what I have read, a lot of the All-glass Strip lights come with a bulb made by GE called the Aquaray. Or it might say 9352K on it. If so, you are set! Some of the nicest tanks I have ever seen are lit by those bulbs and I love mine. If not other inexpensive tubes I have used and like are the Tritons and the "Daylight" tubes from Home Depot. But, I don't know for sure if they are available in other sizes than 4 foot T12's, I think they are. If they are I recommend these, but almost any full-spectrum bulb will work, some just better than others.

One more question, what do you have for substrate?

[Mr. Bill]

What an awesome reply! Thanks!

Before I saw your post, I did a little more reading, and went out and bought a 20w GE AuqaRay Fresh/Salt fluorescent bulb. It was highly recommended, as you yourself even later recommended it as well. They had a Freshwater only version, but the fresh/salt was a little brighter, so I went for that one. The 2 bulbs in the fixture were just generic aquarium bulbs, not even having a brand name on them.

I think the 2nd bulb will be just for the fish, to bring out their colors. Perhaps one I saw called a "Beauty Bulb" might work, as the name suggests. But if someone knows of a better bulb for fish colors, by all means... ;)

If I had the extra time, I would indeed look into building a Co2 device. But thanks for the info though. I saw and bought one on sale for $19 called the "Nutrafin Co2 Natural Plant System". It was the ones the big local fish store was using for their 3 planted tanks (they used one for each tank), so I figured it would work. A small canister hangs on the outside of the tank, and has a bubble staircase that sits on the inside of the aquarium wall. It includes 2 different "powders" to do "whatever". The Seachem Excel was a great suggestion though, and I almost went for it. But I don't know...I just like the idea of having something to "fiddle" around with. Ya know?

Btw, I just have med sized gravel as a substrate. Not the best I know, but it's too late to change it now. I think just a bunch of "Valls" will be fine for now, as I hear they are fairly hardy.

Stay cool.

Bill in San Diego. :cool:

[somefinnfishy]

[ From what I have read, a lot of the All-glass Strip lights come with a bulb made by GE called the Aquaray. Or it might say 9352K on it. If so, you are set! Some of the nicest tanks I have ever seen are lit by those bulbs and I love mine..
[/B][/QUOTE]

I love the Aquarays I'm running 5 fullblown planted tanks the one with the factory AGA twin fixture is doing the best and accents the fish better than any of the other 20 kinds of bulbs I have tried by a second GE bulb.

[beviking]

Hey Mr. Bill, you may want to look into some root tabs or Jobes spikes for your Vals since your running plain gravel. I had several Corkscrew vals in my plain gravel that were doing so-so unitl I added root tabs/Jobes. Now they're taking off and sending out runners! The root tabs and Jobes are covered on the sticky page on fertilizers too. Good luck!