Adding Co2 To 10g Tank

[jordan.m]

Hey all,

Earlier today I purchased a CO2 system and got it set up and everything. My question is, my tank has around 2WPG. Is adding CO2 even worth it? Am I just going to poison my fish?

If anyone could please clear this up, that would be excellent.

Jordan

 

[Underwurlde]

If your tank is planted (preferably > 50% coverage) and you have 2Watts / US Gallon then you will need CO2 - aim for 30ppm.
This will not effect your fish. Many people have their CO2 come on a couple of hours before / after their lights come on / off.
STABLE CO2 is important.

Don't worry about your fish. The points above will help you combat algae with such lighting.

Andy

 

[jordan.m]

How do you make the CO2 only come on a couple hours before / after the lights come on / off? A timer or something?

 

[Underwurlde]

Erm, what CO2 system are you using?

Andy

 

[jordan.m]

"Hagen Plant Grow Natural System with CO2"

http/www.petsmart.com/global/product_det...2&N=2023693

 

[Underwurlde]

Ah, not off & onable then. *

Never mind, I have exactly one of those. Excellent little things. Did you know you can make your own mix, no need to buy expensive replacement Hagen sachets?

Andy

* Not entirely true. I have DIY'd something called a Venturi Reactor (actually a Barr modded Venturi Reactor) on the end of my CO2 outlet in the tank. It uses a small power head to mix the CO2 in the water - when the power is off the CO2 is 'off' (even though it still bubbles away). Yes it is connected to a mains timer. As I have only just built it and installed it, and have yet to build andother DIY CO2 Dropper Checker, the jury is out on how effective this device is. Looks cool though!

 

[lljdma06]

This is a 10g tank, 2WPG isn't all that much light. Remember, WPG differs slightly for smaller tanks, it takes more wattage to get the same light level.

Have a read of the two links below. They have nifty little calculations that you can use if you scroll down.

http/woo.gotdns.com/Aquarium/Lighting.htm
http/www.fitchfamily.com/lighting.html

In both websites, your amount of wattage falls well below a higher light level tank. According to the first website, your lighting level is somewhere between low and moderate. Though I inject CO2 into my larger low-light tanks, I am not overly concerned with maintaining a constant level of 30ppm. I don't think that preoccupation is necessary with your lighting level. You'll definitely get a boost in plant growth if you use CO2, and you can grow some more moderate lighting plants that wouldn't do well otherwise in your lighting, but it is not absolutely necessary with your lighting level. If you do go CO2, I wouldn't use anything beyond a nice system like the one you're considering. That is exactly what I have, but I use my own yeast and sugar mix. As far as hurting fish are concerned, I wouldn't worry about that much either. It takes a lot of CO2, more than what you'll be producing, to harm your fish. I've bred cherry barbs successfully in a CO2 tank that was severely outgassed. It had a steady level of 54ppm! If they didn't mind that, your fish won't mind 30ppm if that's the level you'll be going for. You can also run your CO2 24 hours. I have found that the lights on/lights off pH swing is not that extensive with a yeast mix, no more than .2, and the fish don't even notice.

Enjoy your tank, I really wouldn't worry so much. Just make sure that the plants you select are able to do well with your lighting level. Aim for plants that thrive in low-medium lighting levels. The biggest problem is when you purchase a plant that is not right for your tank. This can lead to decomposition and ammonia production, which is certainly not good.

Here is a small list of plants to consider that would do extremely well in your lighting.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...p;#entry1382934

Good luck to you,

llj

 

[GordonTGopher]

* Not entirely true. I have DIY'd something called a Venturi Reactor (actually a Barr modded Venturi Reactor) on the end of my CO2 outlet in the tank. It uses a small power head to mix the CO2 in the water - when the power is off the CO2 is 'off' (even though it still bubbles away). Yes it is connected to a mains timer. As I have only just built it and installed it, and have yet to build andother DIY CO2 Dropper Checker, the jury is out on how effective this device is. Looks cool though!

Andy,
Is this as simple as fitting the CO2 hose to the air hose connector on something like this http/www.charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk/cat...trhr-p-612.html or is it, as I suspect, a little more involved?

Cheers,
Gordon

 

[Underwurlde]

hehe,

A little bit yes. 'bout an hours worth of fiddling:
http/www.barrreport.com/articles/41-diy-...-co2-users.html
http/www.barrreport.com/articles/72-venturi-design.html

I got all the bits I needed from (ahem, AHEM, petsathome A H E M )

Andy

PS, also consider these for pure diffusion (in order of preference):
AquaMagic Rhinox 5000, 2000 & 1000 (find them on ebay)

Spio V Diffuser: http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?...roducts_id=1236
(look cool, but apparently not rated as highly as the Rhinox).

 

[jordan.m]

This is a 10g tank, 2WPG isn't all that much light. Remember, WPG differs slightly for smaller tanks, it takes more wattage to get the same light level.

Have a read of the two links below. They have nifty little calculations that you can use if you scroll down.

http/woo.gotdns.com/Aquarium/Lighting.htm
http/www.fitchfamily.com/lighting.html

In both websites, your amount of wattage falls well below a higher light level tank. According to the first website, your lighting level is somewhere between low and moderate. Though I inject CO2 into my larger low-light tanks, I am not overly concerned with maintaining a constant level of 30ppm. I don't think that preoccupation is necessary with your lighting level. You'll definitely get a boost in plant growth if you use CO2, and you can grow some more moderate lighting plants that wouldn't do well otherwise in your lighting, but it is not absolutely necessary with your lighting level. If you do go CO2, I wouldn't use anything beyond a nice system like the one you're considering. That is exactly what I have, but I use my own yeast and sugar mix. As far as hurting fish are concerned, I wouldn't worry about that much either. It takes a lot of CO2, more than what you'll be producing, to harm your fish. I've bred cherry barbs successfully in a CO2 tank that was severely outgassed. It had a steady level of 54ppm! If they didn't mind that, your fish won't mind 30ppm if that's the level you'll be going for. You can also run your CO2 24 hours. I have found that the lights on/lights off pH swing is not that extensive with a yeast mix, no more than .2, and the fish don't even notice.

Enjoy your tank, I really wouldn't worry so much. Just make sure that the plants you select are able to do well with your lighting level. Aim for plants that thrive in low-medium lighting levels. The biggest problem is when you purchase a plant that is not right for your tank. This can lead to decomposition and ammonia production, which is certainly not good.

Here is a small list of plants to consider that would do extremely well in your lighting.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...p;#entry1382934

Good luck to you,

llj

Wow, thanks for the informative post!!