Beginner (and local) CO2 question

[Ripples]

Hi

I have a planted tank that currently just has two plastic cabinets into which I drop tablets.. these produce CO2 which disolves over the course of the day - then two days later I do it again.

Long term, getting tablets is going to be costly - and I'm not sure I'm creating enough CO2 for the tank (it's a 75g). Now i've read your stickies on DIY Co2 but am really nervous about either messing it up completely or not having enough control (eg overnight) of Co2 or GH/KH etc. This being the case, I'm after an all singing all dancing kit to use.

Does anyone know any reasonable UK websites where I could get this? Has anyone got any recommendations? Should I bite the bullet and get out the water bottles and yeast?

Thank you for your patience - I know you must get a lot of these questions..
R

 

[djlen]

Before doing anything, get a kH and ph test kit and find out first if you have enough kH to support CO2 injection and second what your CO2/ppm is with what you are using currently.
With a 75, the odds are that you are not going to over-dose(day or night) with what you're using.
"This being the case, I'm after an all singing all dancing kit to use."
I have no idea what you're talking about here. Can you elaborate?

Len

 

[LoSx]

I think he means he wants to buy a CO2 kit with all the bells and whistles (everything he can) to keep his fish and aquarium safe... I may be wrong but that seems like what he wants is a prebuilt system that will be safer then a home made one

 

[Ripples]

Bang on (bar the 'he' bit - am a gal!) that's what I meant. Will do on the kH front. What kind of kH levels should I be looking for to be confident I've got enough not to cause PH spikes (that is why you check isn't it? Or have I got the wrong end of the stick?)

Cheers for your help
r

 

[beviking]

You want a KH of at least 3, more is better. That translates into roughly 50ppm carbonate hardness fyi.
If you can afford it, fully automated CO2 isn't a bad idea, just be sure to research it enough. There are "hidden" costs such as replacing the pH probe that could end up causing severe problems if overlooked.
Hopefully, your KH is high enough you can just inject CO2 without worry.

 

[Ripples]

Thank you. Will look into it more and make sure I go to a trustworthy lfs if I go ahead
R