Co2 Help For A Plant Newbie

[carrera]

I'm giving a planted tank a serious go for the first time and am looking at a DIY CO2 system. I've been searching and reading what I can but still have some questions

I have a small 27 litre tank. Is using 2x 2 litre bottles (for stability) too much for such a small tank?

I've read that diffusers can put DIY kits under too much pressure and that I should use a ladder instead. What is the difference between diffusers, ladders and reactors? Which should I use for my DIY kit? (Any links (UK) would be helpful)

I keep coming across something about a permanent CO2 measurement system, where you can tell whether you have the correct ppm by the colour, but I can't seem to find anything that explains it. Is there a guide of any sort?

Any help would be brilliant

 

[Nick16]

what is in the tank? as that is tiny!! whats is you wpg? i use one 2l bottle with a diffuser and that is sufficient to run my 120l.

 

[carrera]

It's going to house a single betta. Lighting is slightly under 2WPG.

 

[Nick16]

wow, 2x2l bottles will be over kill. for a tank that size a 1l bottle will be plenty!, or a 1.5l coke bottle but dont put too much mixture in. a diffuser is fine - ebay for them m8. type co2 drop checker in on ebay and you will find those. ok? HTH

 

[carrera]

Thanks for the advice I found the drop checkers on eBay - how long does the test solution last? Do I need to buy more of it over time?

Also, do you have a recommendation for a type of diffuser if I'm only using a 1.5l bottle?

Thanks again.

 

[Nick16]

try these: LINK i have these, they are good and perfect for the size of bottle. plus you will have a spareone. delivery is good on them as well.

 

[carrera]

Great, thanks a lot for that. The same seller has the drop checkers too

 

[Nick16]

HTH

 

[aaronnorth]

I would still make sure you have 2 bottles, that way, you can change one midwek, and the other at the weekend, for the reason you mentioned - stability, it also means your plants will hopefully be never without CO2.

with the drop checker, you will need 4dkh solution (available at aqua essentials & it lasts months) and some brmothol blue (if not already supplied with the drop checker. This is available by purchasing a low range Ph test kit.

 

[carrera]

you will need 4dkh solution (available at aqua essentials & it lasts months) and some brmothol blue

Does the 'solution' that comes with this cover that?

 

[carrera]

Also, if I could add one more question to all of this: Do I need CO2 resistant tubing for a DIY kit, or will regular stuff do?

 

[Nick16]

regular airline will do, i dont know about the other question, it is something aaronnorth will know

 

[aaronnorth]

the stuff that comes with that is the bromothol blue. regular airline may leak and it will eventually harden up & crack

 

[carrera]

the stuff that comes with that is the bromothol blue. regular airline may leak and it will eventually harden up & crack

thanks for the clarification