Co2

laurasmithuk · Oct 30, 2005

is this kit any good? my tank is 96litres and im pretty new to all this

http

/cgi.ebay.co.uk/HAGEN-NUTRAFIN-CO2-K...1QQcmdZViewItem

RYO · Oct 30, 2005

Yup they are fine ,its what most people start with.(still got in my case). Most people use diy recipes instead of the refills too.
I use 3/4 tsp x bakers yeast and 1/2 tsp x bicarb of soda sugar and warm water as per instructions, lasts about 5-7 days .

laurasmithuk · Oct 30, 2005

will it make a difference to plant growth? will it have any other effect on water etc??

qwikimpss · Oct 30, 2005

CO2 becomes carbonic acid in the water and lowers the PH. The hagen units are good but you can make one as good with a 2 liter bottle, aquarium sealant, airline tubing and one of the ladders.

jimbooo · Oct 31, 2005

well worth a buy

i've got those on all my tanks. they make a huge difference but more so if you have over 2WPG of light.

RYO · Oct 31, 2005

will it make a difference to plant growth? will it have any other effect on water etc??

With the correct lighting it will make a big difference as Jimbooo said.
As to effects on the water ,that depends on your water quality. The harder the water the less effect.
My water is very soft, kh and gh less than 3 deg . I buffer my water with bicarb of soda to give me a kh reading of 4 deg , this seems to keep my ph levels pretty constant.
Co2 can lower your ph but with plants using it up i wouldn't be too concerned about it.\Some people with pressurised systems still run there co2 24/7.

laurasmithuk · Oct 31, 2005

will i need to run it 24/7?

The-Wolf · Oct 31, 2005

laura
I have a spare (brand new) yours for £9.99+p&p.
if you don't want it anyone else here can have it for the same price, but you have first refusal.

lljdma06 · Nov 1, 2005

laura,

CO2 really helps. The plant growth is more vibrant, there is less algae. It hasn't affected my fish with the exception of one betta who seemed to develop "popeye". I removed him from the tank and within hours, the "popeye" disappeared. My pH is pretty stable at 7.00. So I think it may have had something to do with gas supersaturation, but it has never effected any of my other fish.

If you have over 2WPG, it is the way to go. I have the nutrafin system, but I am also supplementing it with a liquid supplement.