Check valve and proper co2 level

I understand what you are saying about being more efficient by using a reactor, but I'm not so sure I agree about having fluctuations. I have pretty precise control right now with the needle valve. I don't see how having a reactor will affect the control, just the amount used. Accomplishing the correct amount of CO2 with 3 bps instead of five is money saved, of course, but the CO2 itself isn't that expensive...just all the stuff that goes along with it as we all know ;) . At this point I'm just happy to be getting some results finally. I don't know if I want any more 'stuff' just yet.
 
binnesman - one of your original questions was how to get better diffusion. The in-line reactor is one way to do it in a very efficient way.
If you are comfortable with your results and from what you report you should be, I would stay with it and see if things continue in a positive way for you.
Also, I have an XP2 and wouldn't even consider and in-line for it, but only because it's just too underpowered to support one, IMO. Something else to consider.
Your nutrient dosing is light, but you report 'moderate plant' mass so it may be adequate. Keep an eye on the plants and they will tell you when they are hungry.
I suggest looking into Tom Barr's estimative index for dosing. I've been using a modified version of it and have never had such nice growth. I'm a believer.:)

Len
 
I've been treading lightly with the dosing. I guess I'm afraid of an algae bloom of some kind. Right now the tank seems balanced, so I want to experiment with small changes and see what happens. The injection was kind of a big step. I was thinking there might be a way to tweak what I have to achieve better absorbtion. Who knows? After a while I probably will kick around the idea of a reactor.

Just an update. Even from the short time of my initial post, I have seen quite a bit of root growth. Roots are sprouting from every node on the hygro and Ludwigia, and the plants themselves look larger. The swords and vals don't look much different yet, but I'm hopeful they will. The crypts are pearling quite a bit, and I've notices some new baby plants in the gravel, but they could have been there before. Java ferns look pretty much the same.

I'm thinking the next step would be to increase nitrates. I've been trying to keep them between 10-20, but they always seem to stay around 10. Any ideas that way? And how will they (the plants) tell me?
 
Never be scared of overdosing for fear of an algae bloom. If done in proper proportions, you will not get an algae bloom from dosing ferts. You usually get algae blooms from being too light on ferts or too light on CO2. The idea behind EI is to make sure you have more than enough nutrients available to your plants so when they need whatever, it is there. Too many ferts in the water column do not casue algae and do no hurt your fish <unless of course we are talking copper and invertebrates.> The key to EI is proportion and the 50% water change weekly to reset the tank. Check on my buddy's site to check proportions for dosing your size tank. www.barrreport.com
Look under Estimative Index. You shouldn't be afraid of ferts. If you see pearling and you are getting adequate CO2 algae will not be an issue when doing ferts. If you begin to see algae, then it is CO2 delivery and you should look into another filter or powerhead and plumb in a reactor or look into a glass difuser like the Rhinox 1000 or something like that.
 
fresh_newby said:
Never be scared of overdosing for fear of an algae bloom. If done in proper proportions, you will not get an algae bloom from dosing ferts. You usually get algae blooms from being too light on ferts or too light on CO2. The idea behind EI is to make sure you have more than enough nutrients available to your plants so when they need whatever, it is there. Too many ferts in the water column do not casue algae and do no hurt your fish <unless of course we are talking copper and invertebrates.> The key to EI is proportion and the 50% water change weekly to reset the tank. Check on my buddy's site to check proportions for dosing your size tank. www.barrreport.com
Look under Estimative Index. You shouldn't be afraid of ferts. If you see pearling and you are getting adequate CO2 algae will not be an issue when doing ferts. If you begin to see algae, then it is CO2 delivery and you should look into another filter or powerhead and plumb in a reactor or look into a glass difuser like the Rhinox 1000 or something like that.
Click to expand...



Thanks for the info. I like the idea of the 50% water changes, because it negates potential overdose mistakes. Tom Barr's site is a wealth of information.

On a side note, and maybe this should go on a different thread, but as I was reading his site I came across some research he was doing on CO2 diffusion. It sounded like he was getting better growth and faster pearling by using a 'mist' -very small bubbles - rather than dissolving the CO2 entirely by use of a reactor. He was using a disk of some kind that diffused the gas into very small bubbles. Has anyone read that article? Makes you want to re-think the idea of efficiency!

Here's the link: http://www.barrreport.com/co2-aquatic-plant-fertilization/1039-co2-issues-read.html
 
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