It's honestly easier than I thought. At least to start. Why not try it and see how it goes?
Fastlight81's 37g planted journal
- Thread starter fastlight81
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It's honestly easier than I thought. At least to start. Why not try it and see how it goes?
I don't want to discourage anyone from doing it but I've read;
nightmares of them exploding.
backing up into the tank.
them being smelly.
problems maintaining accurate/consistant Co2.
not the best solution for big tanks
how many bottles do you need to get going for a 90gal? If there is ever a dark cloud with a possiblity of something bad happening it will happen to me. Keep your distance from me in lightening storm for your own safety...:laugh:
As long as you're careful/thorough when setting up, explosions should not happen. Siphoning into your tank happens if you don't set up a check valve, which is in nearly all examples shown on the internet. I've never had any smell issues...
Maintaining consistent co2 can be a problem, the best option would be to set up two or three bottles in rotation, so that there is always a steady flow of c02 (and do not wait longer than 1 week to replace).
IMO when deciding to run a "big" (55+) planted tank, most should already know about the c02 issue and make room in their budget for a pressurized system from the get-go. Either that, or plan for plants/lights that will not require same.
edit: Whoops - this may have come off as being snooty, wasn't meant to be!
Thanks! And as others have said, diy co2 is not as hard as it is made out to be... it does take work yes. Then again just because someone has pressurised co2, doesnt mean they wont have problems or have it be complicated. I am sure they run in to problems, just a differnet variety of problems.
That being said, I worked some ot today so I have to clean my tank still I think the 1 week photo is going to be stunning! Amazing how much they have grown. Also dropping my photo period from 10hrs to 8 has already shown postive results in regards to the bba.
Not at all. Did all the pros and cons when considering DIY Co2 and the size of my tank is why I did the pressurized Co2. I definitely would've prefer the low cost alternative. This hobby is expensive as it is...
Yes I've had my share of blunders with pressurized Co2!!!! no doubt. I agree if you know how to follow a simple receipe I think DIY Co2 can be easily done by most.
Great news on your results you gotta love when a plan comes together.
Ha must be the movie...I have never seen the tv series. Didn't even know there was one!
Ok, so I experimented today, and I am not pleased with the results.:irked: I decided to take my reactor and place it in line with the intake of my cannister filter. I have successfully created a cannister filter that took about 5 minutes to prime, flow so slow, I wonder if it will still be working in the morning, and still have bubbles in my tank :nilly: I must say placing an airstone beneath the intake of my filter was by far the easiest and best way for me to diffuse co2! This reactor is now, loud, and a giant pain in the butt. And to top it off my heater is, not wanting to heat the tank higher than 78(never, ever buy a cheap heater, spend the money)
Ok so I took my dual venturi reactor, which has three spots for co2. 2 on the top 1 on the side. (look at previous pictures) I took the one on the side and the one from the top and just hooked a silcone air line between the two, effectively eliminating those two air hookups. I then took the third input(the one with the 12in rigid airline extending into the reactor and placed the co2 line onto that intake. I then have a the reactor hooked up on the intake side of my filter. I turned on the filter and primed the heck out of it and eventually go flow, very minimal flow, but flow. ( the c-220 imo never very powerful to begin with) I now notice that the reactor sounds like someone is taking a straw and blowing in to milk at a very rapid rate. My diy co2 is at about 1 bubble every second. I dont get why it would be doing this. If someone can please explain to me I d appreciate it. Im probably gonna go back with the tried and true method of placing the airstone beneat the intake of my filter.:duh:
Uggh
Well, I after putting my new surprise through 3 days of pure stress I think I can reveal my surprise! I tried to get a nice clean photo of them, but because they are so shy and been through so much they are hiding.
My new additions!
I got an amazing deal on these guys at my lfs. Ive been wanting to keep discus since I was about 10 years old. I figure well shoot I am trying all sorts of new things this year why not go for it! And for those who are screaming about my smaller tank, the 90g is already in the works. And this is why I am kicking myself about my heater. I switched out my heater with my other tanks heater, and the water is struggling to maintain 82 degrees. When I get the 90 I want a shoal of about 6 or 7 discus with some cardinals.
Ok so this picture is one week after I rescaped...Its almost unreal how much they have grown. In fact with my rotala hra most noticably it makes them long and stringy. I dont like it. Next week I will be trimming and replanting, i want more of a dense growth, and will need the plantings for the 90 gallon.
I would like to see more growth from the rotala nanjenshan,rotala macrandra japan, ludwigia cuba, and my pogestemon erectus (i tortured the names but am to lazy to look them up at the moment) I also switched out my anubia congensis, with my nana, and it did wonders for the flow of the tank( thank you for the suggestion!)
Also the BBA....I dont want to get to excited, but with dropping the photo period to 8 hrs and it is noticeably dying. Even turning red in a few spots. Went from a deep dark green to a very light pale green in all spots. I believe because of the photo period change and the plants growing so quickly, the bba will be gone in a matter of a week or 2 !:y220e:
this week (7/31/2010)
last week (7/24/2010)
As far as the reactor, I ditched it. Not happy with it. I took my airstone,and some pantyhose, and wrapped it up at the filter input. Works great! Stick with what works
My new additions!
I got an amazing deal on these guys at my lfs. Ive been wanting to keep discus since I was about 10 years old. I figure well shoot I am trying all sorts of new things this year why not go for it! And for those who are screaming about my smaller tank, the 90g is already in the works. And this is why I am kicking myself about my heater. I switched out my heater with my other tanks heater, and the water is struggling to maintain 82 degrees. When I get the 90 I want a shoal of about 6 or 7 discus with some cardinals.
Ok so this picture is one week after I rescaped...Its almost unreal how much they have grown. In fact with my rotala hra most noticably it makes them long and stringy. I dont like it. Next week I will be trimming and replanting, i want more of a dense growth, and will need the plantings for the 90 gallon.
I would like to see more growth from the rotala nanjenshan,rotala macrandra japan, ludwigia cuba, and my pogestemon erectus (i tortured the names but am to lazy to look them up at the moment) I also switched out my anubia congensis, with my nana, and it did wonders for the flow of the tank( thank you for the suggestion!)
Also the BBA....I dont want to get to excited, but with dropping the photo period to 8 hrs and it is noticeably dying. Even turning red in a few spots. Went from a deep dark green to a very light pale green in all spots. I believe because of the photo period change and the plants growing so quickly, the bba will be gone in a matter of a week or 2 !:y220e:
this week (7/31/2010)
last week (7/24/2010)
As far as the reactor, I ditched it. Not happy with it. I took my airstone,and some pantyhose, and wrapped it up at the filter input. Works great! Stick with what works
Wow fantastic growth. can't wait to see some better pics of the discus after they get better acclimated and show themselves more.
Tank looks great.
Tank looks great.
