Co2 Injection

[Lilt Man]

Hi All

I am running a Juwel Rio 400L with UV, External Ehiem Filters (2215 + 2213) which is heavily planted. Lighting consists of the standard unit with one Triton and another plant growth tube (reflectors are also added).

My question is, i am looking to upgrade the existing CO2 system (2 x Hagen Yeast diffusers) to something more stable with a higher output.

The plants are doing well but i would like to see further improvement and a lower PH (currently 8.0).

Can someone recommend a suitable CO2 stytem, which will automatically regulate the output at night also?

Also, if there are any good tubes that i can replace mine with (maybe natural daylight ones?) your advice will be most welcome.

Thanks for reading

 

[Themuleous]

Sounds like you’re after a CO2 kit with a solenoid? Check eBay. I know there are always cheap kits to be had on there.

A pH controller is another possible addition, but they are expensive and can be temperamental (well from what I've heard) so probably not a necessity. You could also try this and this if you want a brand new one, but you'll see the cost savings when you check on eBay!

One problem with pressurised CO2 is that it can be difficult to get the cylinder replaced, if you live near a maidenhead aquatic I know they normally do them. Might be worth checking before you fork out for a kit.

The light tubes you have are probably fine, certainly the triton one I think is good. You want to aim for a temp reading of about 6000-7500 Kelvin. The pinned lighting articles lists the good ones.

You thinking of upgrading your lights? If you want your plants to get the most out of the added CO2 then lighting of over 2WPG is a must. Have you read the pinned EI article?

Hope this helps

Sam

 

[Lilt Man]

Sounds like you’re after a CO2 kit with a solenoid? Check eBay. I know there are always cheap kits to be had on there.

A pH controller is another possible addition, but they are expensive and can be temperamental (well from what I've heard) so probably not a necessity. You could also try this and this if you want a brand new one, but you'll see the cost savings when you check on eBay!

One problem with pressurised CO2 is that it can be difficult to get the cylinder replaced, if you live near a maidenhead aquatic I know they normally do them. Might be worth checking before you fork out for a kit.

The light tubes you have are probably fine, certainly the triton one I think is good. You want to aim for a temp reading of about 6000-7500 Kelvin. The pinned lighting articles lists the good ones.

You thinking of upgrading your lights? If you want your plants to get the most out of the added CO2 then lighting of over 2WPG is a must. Have you read the pinned EI article?

Hope this helps

Sam

Thanks Sam - very informative.

What are your thoughts on the electronic variants?

Looks as though i might be going down the first option you gave me if the electronic version is not worth while .

Thanks Again.

 

[Themuleous]

What do you mean by the electroing version? The one with the carbon block?

 

[Lilt Man]

What do you mean by the electroing version? The one with the carbon block?

Yes thats correct - the Carbon block, what are your thoughts on this option if suitable?

 

[Themuleous]

Have heard bad things about them, not that I've used them myself. The biggest problem I can see it that they do not have a way of diffusing the generated CO2, presumably it just floats to the surface, massively inefficient.