CO2 options for a nano tank

[katana1200]

Hello again. Been doing some research on the nano tanks before giving it a go myself. I inherited a 5 gal flatback acrylic hex from a friend. Gonna go with the Flourite black sand, 10 watt coarlife cf to replace the incandescent bulb, a Tom rapids mini canister for tanks up to 20gal, and perhaps one of the mini mat-style submersable heaters. Stock list will probably be 3-4 fancy male guppies (tequila sunrise perhaps), 1 brigs (diffusa) mystery snail, a small handful of RCS, and maybe 1 nerite down the road as the tank gets established. With a good water change routine and a filter that size, I believe that is an acceptable bio load. (I may hear differently here in a few posts, I'll keep an open mind). Plants are another question completely. Been thinking of a rather simple, low light plant list. Anubias nana mini, Crypt lutea, java moss and maybe another of the smaller plant species, I need to do just a bit more research.

Do you think with the setup I have in mind, a small CO2 system will be needed? I've seen the small setups that use the alka-seltzer looking tablets but don't know of any good brand names. Could go with DiY but this will be in the living room on an end table so I'm trying to make it as neat as possible. For the record I have absolutely no expierience with CO2 at all. From the most elaborate automated injection system to the simplest coke bottle with yeast and sugar water, I am a complete newb. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

-Jeff

 

[katana1200]

Any nano tank owners out there?

 

[mikeb210]

I think you'd be good for some more demanding plants in that set up. I had a hex 5 a few years ago and got good growth from medium-high light plants with that same light. I've got a 5.5g planted now and I've run the gamut from a 2l yeast bottle DIY CO2 to pressurized. In my experience, this one was a waste of money. As were the alka seltzer style tabs. The 2L bottle DIY was better, but I could never get consistent results. Sometimes the CO2 would really crank out for a week and then die off and sometimes it would be nice and steady for a month. The temps in my house seemed to greatly affect the output too. Colder temps inside during the summer reduced co2 output quite a bit. Warmer during the winter was just the opposite. DIY is also unsightly in my opinion. There are several pressurized versions floating around. I think your best bet would be a 5lb tank and reg. I'm using a milwaukee regulator on my tank right now and while its not perfect, it gets the job done. There are others, just shop around. Rex Grigg makes a nice reg. for about the same price as the milwaukee. There are also smaller regulators for paintball style co2 as well, and even smaller, using the little co2 cylinders. The 5lb tank is most versatile in my opinion, allowing you to move it to a bigger tank if need be, while still working well on a small tank. It will last you for quite some time on a 5g tank too. After initial costs, you're looking at maybe $10 to refill, so like $10 every 8-12 mos.

As far as dispersion goes, I again recommend you not waste time or money on the bubble ladder, or these. I'm a big fan of co2 reactors such as this one, but on your tank, I think the best bet would be to run the co2 line directly to the intake on your filter. I'm doing it on the same filter you were talking about and it works very well.

I think that should get you started with co2. Let me know if I missed anything. Best of luck!

-Mike

 

[katana1200]

Hey Mike, thanks for the thorough responce! I may end up shooting for that pressurized system. So, ballpark estimate of getting eveything set up for a 5lb system going right into the filter? I'm gonna be combing the internet now for quite some time looking at bubble counters and check valves and regulators...my wife's gonna shoot me lol. She never thought this new hobby of mine was going to turn into an obsession. Must....have.....more.....tanks......more.....fish.....more........plants.....must sell....children.....no...space........could fit.....4 tanks in....their.......room.

 

[mikeb210]

Hey Mike, thanks for the thorough responce! I may end up shooting for that pressurized system. So, ballpark estimate of getting eveything set up for a 5lb system going right into the filter? I'm gonna be combing the internet now for quite some time looking at bubble counters and check valves and regulators...my wife's gonna shoot me lol. She never thought this new hobby of mine was going to turn into an obsession. Must....have.....more.....tanks......more.....fish.....more........plants.....must sell....children.....no...space........could fit.....4 tanks in....their.......room.

You can piece the system together, or just buy one that is complete. Ebay and rexgrigg.com are both good sources for those. You will need the regulator, needle valve and bubble counter. I use the Milwaukee regulator. I've had two of them for about 4-5 years now and I've never had problems with them. That specific one will run you about $90. A 5lb tank will cost between $60-100 depending on where you get it. I bought mine from a welding store for $85 (they too sold regulators w/needle valve & bubble counter.) They cost about $5 to refill so as I said, the initial cost is the worst part. The Milwaukee comes with a few feet of co2 line and the welding store where I got my tanks also had line on the shelves so it should be easy to obtain.

Oh and don't worry about the obsession. It happens to the best of us. I don't think there's such a thing as "just one" tank.

Good luck

Mike