Dude if those are the plants you want, then don't muck about with DIY CO2, it will be more hassle compared to the benefit you'd receive. Just cut your lighting in half.
does the BUBBLE WAND have to go?
- Thread starter ryanmr
- Start date
I agree, but even those plants will experience quicker growth with Co2. Although, that really isn't saying much.
if your going low light forget about CO2 its more of a hassle then u need with low light. get a bulb that about half and ur good to go and u can keep the bubble wand
See, this is the problem. I just upgraded my lighting from 15w over my 26 gal., to new power compact fixture which is 65w. If I'm doing the math properly, that gives me 2.5wpg. So I'm really confused why some would tell me to get a smaller bulb or cut my lighting in half? I thought more light was better? I have taken out the air pump & bubble wand for now and that greatly cut down on the surface agitation. I'm also not set on any one type of plant, I would just love to have any nice plants that would do well in my new lighting.....Do I need to switch to a canister filter instead of my HOB?
More light is not always better. More light will get faster growth but it usually means more work and less room for mistakes. 2.5wpg isn't too high but you're still going to need CO2 and ferts.
DIY CO2 is not a cake walk. There are a lot of things that can go wrong. For example, there is a possibility for parts of the set-up to clog or leak, resulting in time consuming tinkering. The yeast solution can spill into the aquarium and cause fish death. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to "overdose" your tank and kill your fish with DIY CO2. (May not be particularly easy to accomplish, but it is possible) Also, with DIY CO2, the CO2 levels in your tank tend to fluctuate, and fluctuating levels of CO2 can actually help algae grow.
The plants you said you wanted to grow do just fine in lower light circumstances. Higher lighting and CO2 is good if you want to grow a larger range of plants, but with the plants you want you might see the anubias put out a handful more leaves, or the pesky java moss engulf your tank faster... But you also risk getting algae growth in such a set-up. I have recommended cutting your lighting in half and not bothering with DIY CO2 to save some headaches and maintenance.
Also, I recommend putting your bubble wand and extra filter back. Whenever we pump CO2 into a tank, we are trying to achieve levels of CO2 water does not normally hold. You minimize surface agitation, as this is how the CO2 "gasses off" and the water tries to return to the normal levels of CO2. However, if you are not pumping CO2 into your tank, it is better to have a lot of surface agitation. Fish do not produce that much CO2, and you can get more into your tank with more surface agitation as opposed to less.
The plants you said you wanted to grow do just fine in lower light circumstances. Higher lighting and CO2 is good if you want to grow a larger range of plants, but with the plants you want you might see the anubias put out a handful more leaves, or the pesky java moss engulf your tank faster... But you also risk getting algae growth in such a set-up. I have recommended cutting your lighting in half and not bothering with DIY CO2 to save some headaches and maintenance.
Also, I recommend putting your bubble wand and extra filter back. Whenever we pump CO2 into a tank, we are trying to achieve levels of CO2 water does not normally hold. You minimize surface agitation, as this is how the CO2 "gasses off" and the water tries to return to the normal levels of CO2. However, if you are not pumping CO2 into your tank, it is better to have a lot of surface agitation. Fish do not produce that much CO2, and you can get more into your tank with more surface agitation as opposed to less.
From my experience, I would rather go low light (under 2wpg) then mess with DIY Co2 because of the problems and hassle it will bring
