Co2: No idea where to begin. Kits?

[rebe]

Hello fish folk!
I'm very keen to try using co2, but I have no idea where to begin. It seems like there is lots of equipment, and many ways to go about it. I would please like your recommendations or advice.

The tank is 280L (about 75g), and my budget is towards the low end. I'm nervous about the idea of DIY-ing it, especially with pressurised canisters. I need to have it on a timer.
I suppose my ideal solution would be a kit from a reputable brand, but even JBL have what feels like 37 kits and I don't really understand what I'm looking at.

All recommendations, advice or suggestions are appreciated

 

[GaryE]

I've been contemplating trying this too, and would be delighted to read along. Homemade or kit for me to. I tried one of the bottle and yeast systems years ago, and while it worked, I didn't enjoy working with it.

 

[seangee]

Think carefully about what you are trying to achieve and how much money time and effort you are willing to in.
Many years ago I went the high tech route, but high tech means high maintnance and it never stops with just adding CO2. You need to balance CO2, nutrients and light and it quickly becomes a never ending cycle of upgrades. The reason I abandoned it was the time I was spending on my tank. This was 400 litres and I had a JBL kit, along with "pro" lighting, monitors, test kits etc etc. Sure the plants were great and I had difficult plants growing successfully. You could literally hear them growing and skipping a week's gardening resulted in a mess. If you are just after a good looking tank there are easier and cheaper ways. Maybe worth hanging out on some planted forums for a while to appreciate just how much is involved.

I'm not trying to put you off but my decision was based on the fact that my interest is keeping fish. The plants are there to create the right environment for the fish - and I want then to be visually pleasing. For those who care about "planted tanks" the plants usually come first and the fish are there to make their garden look better. FWIW using their definition of planted tank the tank in my signature is not one. Its a fish tank that has (a lot of) plants - but I'm OK with that.

 

[connorlindeman]

I used this kit on my 40g

Pro-SE Series Complete Aquarium CO2 System with New Inline CO2 Diffuser

Pro-SE Series Complete Aquarium CO2 System for tank up to 500L is a combination of our latest New Generation Professional Dual Stage CO2 Regulator.

www.co2art.us

Paired with a recertified co2 cylinder

Recertified 10 lb Steel CO2 Cylinder | Gas Cylinder Source

Reconditioned and recertified 10 lb steel CO2 cylinder. DOT/TC approved with a fresh paint job and CGA320 valve. Reconditioned cylinders are a great value!

gascylindersource.com

As @seangee said, thats only half of it. You will need strong lights as well.

 

[OldFishKeeper]

If you like plants as much as fish, as I do, go with a system using a PH controller. After losing a tank full of great fish due to a CO2 tank dump, I learned my lesson.

I have had great success with Milwaukee PH controllers, one of which I purchased in the early 2000s and is still functioning today. To me, the old ones were better because you could use any dual-stage guage and solenoid system.

The newer controllers only work with Milwaukee solenoids as they have grounded plugs. If you go with their dual-stage, make sure you follow their setup to the letter. The master flow adjustment is counter-intuitive and you can easily blow the high pressure guage and diaphram (as I did).

Although I have RO systems, I prefer to use CO2 to control my PH for plants and fish that prefer lower levels.

Yes, you should have high levels of light but, today's LEDs are cheaper and more convenient than the "old days".

 

[Ceez]

I also wanted to make a high tech system at one point and maybe still will one day, but....like @seangee said after doing a ton of research i don't have the time the tank is gonna consume to keep up with it. I purchased all the equipment and have it sitting here minus the lights I wanna use but it's just another project in the line of many lol.

My dream tank would be a planted 4' long 50 gallon full shrimp and dither fish.

 

[OldFishKeeper]

I also wanted to make a high tech system at one point and maybe still will one day, but....like @seangee said after doing a ton of research i don't have the time the tank is gonna consume to keep up with it. I purchased all the equipment and have it sitting here minus the lights I wanna use but it's just another project in the line of many lol.

My dream tank would be a planted 4' long 50 gallon full shrimp and dither fish.

I have a 75 Gallon with full CO2 system lights on timers. Like any other tank, once you dial in its requirements, regular weekly water changes are the main, ongoing maintenance. CO2 tank refills are few and far between.

 

[Ceez]

I have a 75 Gallon with full CO2 system lights on timers. Like any other tank, once you dial in its requirements, regular weekly water changes are the main, ongoing maintenance. CO2 tank refills are few and far between.

Theres tons of maintenance required with trimming plants being one of the biggest. I dont have an extra hour each week to invest right now to keep up with plant growth. Maybe once I retire and have more time

 

[OldFishKeeper]

Theres tons of maintenance required with trimming plants being one of the biggest. I dont have an extra hour each week to invest right now to keep up with plant growth. Maybe once I retire and have more time

I must be doing this all wrong because that has not been my experience. It takes me longer to do water changes than trim plants and add fertilizer (monthly).

But, I agree with you...wait until you retire and gain experience...

 

[rebe]

Think carefully about what you are trying to achieve and how much money time and effort you are willing to in.

This is really insightful and helpful, thank you.
For me personally I enjoy growing healthy plants as much as I enjoy keeping healthy fish. I'm choosing to try out Co2 with this tank because I have the most wriggle room in terms of not compromising my fish's comfort or health. 40 tiger barbs in 75gal. 120cm/4ft. Gorgeous fish, and a species I've wanted to keep since I began the hobby.

At the moment the tank has got two massive pieces of driftwood and lots of anubias and buce. The tannis are actually remarkable from the driftwood, turning the water brown (not just orange) if I'm late on water changes.
I want to take out the driftwood and grow lots of healthy bushy plants that I can play around with. It would increase the water volume because the wood takes up a fair bit, and the tank would be more stable because of the faster growing plants.
I actually find the tank aesthetically hard to enjoy, so I'm excited about the idea of a big heavily planted tank.

 

[rebe]

I used this kit on my 40g

Thank you for sharing the kit you use! It will be a great research starting place for me. I have always admired your plants and tanks, so especially interesting to see!

 

[rebe]

like plants as much as fish, as I do, go with a system using a PH controller. After losing a tank full of great fish due to a CO2 tank dump, I learned my lesson.

Thank you! Very helpful, I had not thought about a pH controller at all

 

[BigDog]

I have a Co2 systems and R/O system and has never gone super high tech in any of my many planted aquariums.

Many people have said to me in the past that my 120 planted aquarium looked like Takashi Amano planted the aquarium

In my opinion you don’t need all high tech equipment to have a successful planted aquarium

It does take a little time to trim plants

That’s the trade off of having a small planted aquarium
To a heavy planted aquarium

 

[OldFishKeeper]

This is really insightful and helpful, thank you.
For me personally I enjoy growing healthy plants as much as I enjoy keeping healthy fish. I'm choosing to try out Co2 with this tank because I have the most wriggle room in terms of not compromising my fish's comfort or health. 40 tiger barbs in 75gal. 120cm/4ft. Gorgeous fish, and a species I've wanted to keep since I began the hobby.

At the moment the tank has got two massive pieces of driftwood and lots of anubias and buce. The tannis are actually remarkable from the driftwood, turning the water brown (not just orange) if I'm late on water changes.
I want to take out the driftwood and grow lots of healthy bushy plants that I can play around with. It would increase the water volume because the wood takes up a fair bit, and the tank would be more stable because of the faster growing plants.
I actually find the tank aesthetically hard to enjoy, so I'm excited about the idea of a big heavily planted tank.

In my opinion, the best way to enjoy a big heavily planted tank is to choose low maintenance plants.

In my earlier days, I went for dwarf baby tears or "Cuba" for ground cover and unrestricted Jungle Val for background. With CO2, and good lighting, the ground cover required an enormous amount of pruning and grew on top of itself, making a big mess. The Val over-ran the tank creating a true jungle. I learned from this.

I redid the tank and used a polycarbonate strip to contain the Val to the very back. Water Wisteria is easily trimmed and contained so I put some in front of the Val. For ground cover, I chose DHG, mini because of its low height and no trimming.

To fill in, I replanted some Amazon Swords, added some Aponogetons and small, more colorful Swords. All easy to control and trim.

The result is to my liking...low maintenance with ample room for fish to swim and be seen.

It can be done without creating a maintenance nightmare. Just my .02...

 

[Ceez]

In my opinion, the best way to enjoy a big heavily planted tank is to choose low maintenance plants.

In my earlier days, I went for dwarf baby tears or "Cuba" for ground cover and unrestricted Jungle Val for background. With CO2, and good lighting, the ground cover required an enormous amount of pruning and grew on top of itself, making a big mess. The Val over-ran the tank creating a true jungle. I learned from this.

I redid the tank and used a polycarbonate strip to contain the Val to the very back. Water Wisteria is easily trimmed and contained so I put some in front of the Val. For ground cover, I chose DHG, mini because of its low height and no trimming.

To fill in, I replanted some Amazon Swords, added some Aponogetons and small, more colorful Swords. All easy to control and trim.

The result is to my liking...low maintenance with ample room for fish to swim and be seen.

It can be done without creating a maintenance nightmare. Just my .02...

This is exactly what I was getting at. Some of the plants I'd like to keep grow rapidly and without tons of maintenance will overrun the tank. So, that being said it depends on what types of plants you want. It's not just a change water and look at operation, there's a lot to it. I change water on 11 tanks now and will be adding more. That extra time needed for a planted aqaurium is just out of the question right now..