Understanding CO2

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nfinit1

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Jan 12, 2003
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I read a thread about CO2 and got lost immediately
There as something about too many drops per ????

I need help understanding CO2...I am new to it
I dont know if DYI is going to work for me
I have two tanks I am starting up
1 A 75 gal with plants and angels
A 150 with plants and Discus or just a nice community tank

It seems best to have a CO2 that is big enough for both split the lines to the tanks and have a device on each tank that regulates CO2 output

I am new to CO2 dont know the rules or principles but I am ready to learn

any help with websites, books, or links will be greatly appreciated

Thanks
 
Bookmark this link, as you will want to use this CO2 Chart for calculating how much CO2 is in the aquarium. The chart is the best one I've seen, and it's easy to read and use..

There's an excellent explaination of the CO2, KH, pH relationship -- how they react with each other..

Link: 'Understanding' CO2
 
I have a 90g with plants and discus and have to tell you- I've toyed with the idea of adding CO2 off and on for a year. Come "this close" to adding it then stop.

Why?
To be honest I don't think I need it.
I am growing a large variety of plants, have no algae issues, and have what I consider to be a stunningly beautiful tank without it.
Low tech planted tanks do work for some people.

discus2.jpg
 
Beautiful Tank! :D I want to try my hand at plants again but don't want to complicate matters with CO2.
Click to expand...
Go for it.
The only advice I have is that when you do add plants add a lot. The fast growing stem plants are what keeps the algae from getting a foothold. I pull out scads of water sprite every week.
 
You people are acting like CO2 is complicated or soemthing.

It ain't.

I touch the CO2 on my 4 tanks once every 6 months for a few seconds. I mess with it about as much as my lighting(almost never).

For a good CO2 level, just measure the KH(alkalinity, carbonate hardness) and then look at the chart, so if you have a KH of 3 degrees, add enough CO2 gas to get pH of 6.5 and maintain that for the entire light period.
Have harder water? A KH of 8 will have about the same CO2 if you add enough CO2 gas to lower the pH to 6.9 or so.

Both waters will have the same amount of CO2.

Just keep adding more CO2 till you get these pH's. Once that pH is maintained for awhile, leave the flow rate at this setting.

You are done except for the occassional check and twist of a gas valve one side.

You do not need to understand much, just to keep the KH and pH at some point and the KH does not move much if you do water changes which you should doing for these types of fish anyway.

You add CO2 for the plants. This in turns adds a lot of O2 to the water column.

Fish like high O2. So does bacteria and fungi which help breakdown waste and then the plants absorb these nutrients.

It's a good deal and it's not difficult nor hard to do.

If you want, later, you can get into the theory and all that or argue about super sonic gas speeds through your needle valve:)

But it does not have to difficult to use at all.

You make your money back in plant sales etc from the trimmings.
Plants grow and look very good. Those that complain they don't want to trim all the time etc..........well don't grow all stem plants, try some nice crypts and other slower growers. Then you do not trim much either nor need to dose as much. Also don't add 3-4 w/gal, use 1.5-2 w/gal, this will also slow plant growth down and allow less frequent dosing of NPK and traces(supplemental nutrients for the plants ).


Regards,
Tom Barr
 
I agree completely.

My planted tank has benefitted from CO2 since I started doing things right in August. I have two bottles running the jello method and my plants' growth is very high. I just have an airstone to get the CO2 in, something I want to improve.

It's simple and I would say it's really a necessity if you have lighting over 2WPG.

Graeme
 
Originally posted by Cearbhaill
I have a 90g with plants and discus and have to tell you- I've toyed with the idea of adding CO2 ... ...
Click to expand...
Darn! I was hoping to hear how great the advice you got on CO2 systems was.. There was quite a Thread going on that topic! :)

Is that 10 Discus in there? You tank looks good!!
 
Darn! I was hoping to hear how great the advice you got on CO2 systems was.. There was quite a Thread going on that topic!
Click to expand...
I've been afraid to even mention that I decided against it- you had been so patient in explaining it all and assuring me that it would be easy.
I didn't want to hurt your feelings!
Is that 10 Discus in there? You tank looks good!!
Click to expand...
Yep- 10 discus still growing strong.
If I had wanted 10 I'm sure half of them would have died, so I ordered extra. I only really wanted 5 or 6 and so of course all of them survived and are growing like weeds- I may have to go your route and just put the whole shebang in a larger tank.
 
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