CO2 or other possible

[jec0995]

Dosing Excel in a 75 gallon wouldn't be worth the trouble.

I dose Excel in my 75 gallon and I have no problems. I actually think CO2 is a waste of time. I successfully grow Wisteria, Cabomba, and various crypts. I know they are not the most demanding species but Excel does great for me. I dose about every other day with Excel and twice a week with Flourish and my Cabomba grows about 6 inches a week. :dance:

The tank has 3.2 wpg of light. You should really think about Excel. It's not just for small tanks. Good luck!!!

 

[reiverix]

I actually think CO2 is a waste of time.

Why? Even Seachem agree that CO2 gives better plant growth. Compressed CO2 is a bigger investment but is cheaper long term, especially on larger tanks.

 

[Captain Hook]

Dosing Excel every other day is a waste of time. Well, not a waste of time, but definitely more of a hassle than pressurized CO2! There's no doubt about that.

 

[Aries]

I agree with reiverix and Captain Hook. Yes Pressurized CO2 is more of an investment in the begining. But...If you take into consideration cost of Excel, time to dose it etc, pressurized CO2 is cheaper. Plus Excel is only 60-70% as good as CO2 gas.

IE, per instructions, you will dose 82.5mL per week (more for heavier tanks). This is 4290mL per year. If you get the 2 liter at $27.44 (BigAls), this is $58.85 per year. Refilling CO2 costs me $21.74 (two 5 lb fills - if only hooked to one tank)). Once the difference surpasses the initial cost of CO2 (~$150), then that is where presurrized CO2 shines cost wise.

Just my thoughts

Aries

 

[jec0995]

Dosing Excel every other day is a waste of time. Well, not a waste of time, but definitely more of a hassle than pressurized CO2! There's no doubt about that.

It's more of a hassle to pour 1 capful of Excel into your tank than to setup and maintain a Co2 system? I seriously doubt that. Why mess with CO2? I still don't think it's worth it. Like I said, my cabomba grows 6 inches per week. Do I really need more growth? $150 seems like a low end CO2 system. That has to be the cheapest they come...no?

I buy a bottle of Excel every 2 months or so at about $8 per bottle. That's $48 per year. That's 3 years of Excel just to break even with using CO2 (at $150 for co2 which is on the low end). Not to mention the CO2 that I will have to be buying to refill the tank.

I guess I just don't see the advantage. Just more mechanical parts to worry about and more things to measure to assure their stability. Seems like a lot more time spent than pouring 1 capful of liquid into a tank. Just my $0.02 cents.

Let me know if you think I'm crazy. This is fun...

 

[jec0995]

Once the difference surpasses the initial cost of CO2 (~$150), then that is where presurrized CO2 shines cost wise.

Aries

What about maintaining the system? Again, CO2 for $150 seems really cheap. I think once you add up everything it will cost more than that...no?

Also, I would like to see someone get much more growth out of their plants than I do. I'm not bragging, just saying that Excel does wonders in my tank and not to mention that it completely got rid of my beard algae problem. Gotta love it for that reason alone.

Sorry to bum you guys out, I'm just not a fan of CO2.

Later,

Jimmy

 

[reiverix]

What about maintaining the system?

What's to maintain? It's simple.

Again, CO2 for $150 seems really cheap. I think once you add up everything it will cost more than that...no? Again, CO2 for $150 seems really cheap. I think once you add up everything it will cost more than that...no?

It can be set up for cheaper. We are not talking about buying rocket parts.

Also, I would like to see someone get much more growth out of their plants than I do.

You're serious about this?

Sorry to bum you guys out, I'm just not a fan of CO2.

You've tried compressed CO2? I assume it must be yes.

 

[Captain Hook]

It's more of a hassle to pour 1 capful of Excel into your tank than to setup and maintain a Co2 system? I seriously doubt that.

I don't. And I also don't think you've tried pressurized CO2 by the sounds of your posts. Once you have the parts and the tank pressurized carbon dioxide takes very little maintenance. Set the needle valve to the amount you want to come into the tank and you're good to go, probably for at least 4 or 5 months.

reiverix and Aries have already posted that Excel is not as effective as carbon dioxide dissolved directly into the water. Do you see a lot of pearling? I just hooked my CO2 back up today and saw a fair bit of pearling before the lights went off less than 8 hours later.

 

[Roan Art]

I concur. I was using Excel for quite a while and just got my CO2 running. It's easier and much cheaper in the long run than Excel and it works far better.

Roan

 

[Aries]

$150 for a complete CO2 system is on average depending on the components. I have heard people build them as low as $100 and as high as $500 (way to much). That is NOT low end at all, that is using quality parts that have proven themselves to me. I can get bubbles as low as 1 per 5 seconds too.

I (along with the others) am not saying you HAVE to switch to pressurized CO2. If you are happy with your results then there is no reason to change. However, I am merely stating that there ARE better options out there. I do not like however the statements you make which seem to be based solely on opinion and not fact.

Setting up gas CO2 is really simple and lasts without adjustment for 3-6 months (depending on setup and amount injected). I have had to rebuild my regulator once over 3 years (developed a leak - my fault) and that cost a whole $6.99 plus tax. Other than that, I do not touch CO2 other than refills every 3 months (I inject into 3 seperate tanks from 5lb tank). Sure I check the bubbles, determine amout of CO2 in the tank, but that is because I am anal.

I have anacharis that grows literally 12" per week (I throw seemingly pounds of plants away), asian ambulia that grow 8-12" per week and red rubin swords that double in size every two months. My slow growing clover doubles its coverage every 3 weeks or so. Further, every "professional" plant grower uses some sort of gas CO2 because it is easier and allows for a more available co2 source.

Just my $0.02

Aries