Ei Dosing Began

[BHornsey]

I got my measuring spoons from this guy;

AB Supplies

Cost me a fiver including postage from the states

I tend to dose by dry weight though, using some digital weigh scales

 

[SuperColey1]

I prefer mixing solutions than dry dosing because then I can transfer 1 days measure of each solution into a little 100ml bottle which used to be kids yoghurt bottles (like the actimel sort of thing with screw on cap) I have 3 of these which I measure on sunday night.

Then in the morning before I go to work, if its macro day I can grab one and pour it in then shoot off to work. bit harder measuring out spoons IMO.

Micro day I just use a syringe to measure 6ml TropicaPN, then in it goes and I shoot off.

Less messy than getting powder building up in the carpet over time from the small amounts that inevitably fall whilst measuring and transferring to tank.

I do use my digital scales for mixing the initial solutions though.

The black strands you are experiencing on the high leaves directly under the light are almost definately like Brian says from inconsistent CO2 and yes pressurised is best for a medium to high light tank.

I have been using yeast based again for the last 4 weeks as I ran out of disposable cannisters and I couldn't afford to replace until this week and am now back on pressurised. I didn't get mass algae outbreaks but the bogwood got the usual hair algae coat which the plecs and Otos are loving. I expect it to recede now I am back on pressurised

Andy

 

[BHornsey]

For me, I dry dose and do macros and micros same day.
Provided you dry dose, there's no precipitation and the traces stay chelated.
If I need some one else to dose, I put the powders in an empty fish food container and tell 'em when to chuck it in!

 

[rsands]

but i am using two yeast cannisters into one diffuser...each cannister and the diffuser is recommended for a 160litre...the diffuser has not stopped blasting bubbles out since yesterday! it is constantly firing them out all the time...I also moved the filter outlet deep into the water so there is barely no surface movement at all now.

2 x 2litre cannisters on full blast 24/7 into powered diffuser...

Could i get the D & D CO2 system from AE?

But you say it is due to not enough CO2 or not enough of it during the light periods?

Cheers for all the advice so far...been very helpful

 

[SuperColey1]

Its not a case of you not having enough CO2 if your drop checker stays green, its a case of inconsistency with yeast mixes.

The larger the tank I would guess the more consistency is an important factor

The yeast mix opn day 1 will start slowly and build up to its prime by day 3 then gradually burn out over thhe next 3 or 4 days.

Overlapping 2 does minimise the inconsistency a little but on a 4 day cycle for example:

1 - Kit 1 starting up, Kit 2 prime = 50%
2 - Kit 1 getting higher, Kit 2 prime = 65%
3 - Kit 1 Prime, Kit 2 slowing = 75%
4 - Kit 1 prime, kit 2 slowing more = 65%

Also you can mix 1 day and the bubbles are great, another day it doesn't seem as good providing more incosistency.

You can get the D&D or you can mix and match parts or get a full refillable kit from Germany off ebay

If you see what I mean whereas a pressurised will be 100% consistent.

What I use though is this (and it is by no means the best)

Regulator (Item 2 here)
http/www.welduk.com/Results1.asp?Category=37

Disposable bottles (I buy 3 at a time)
http/www.thewelderswarehouse.com/acatalo..._Capacity_.html

Needle Valve, Solenoid Valve and hose from here
http/stores.ebay.co.uk/Aquarianerversand
This ebay store sells full refillable sets at very good prices.

Andy

 

[rsands]

do you wrecokn i would be better buying the components...or would to d and d set be reliable enough?

i do see now what you mean by consistency issues, i can see that a bottle will provide 100% co2 gas all the time...how long do you get out of the cannister? or what do you do with the empties? How do i know the bottle is running low or anything?

 

[SuperColey1]

a d&d set would work but personally I think one of the refillable ones from the german ebay shop would be better value and quality, then all you need is a little screw in adaptor available on AE and other sites which enables you to buy the disposable canisters if thats the route you want to go.

Andy

 

[plantbrain]

CO2 causes about 90-95% of all algae issues I see on the web.

Folks spend lots of $$ on lightings, lot there, dose.
But go cheap on CO2............this is why 90-95% of the web's algae issues occur, too much light, highly variable cO2.


Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[rsands]

hmmm so the d & D set is no good...or which kit is good off the german site as there is loads of them? I dont want to buy individual parts, would rather buy a pre-made kit

This One Ok? Do the instructions come in english? lol

 

[rsands]

i am totally beat now dont have a clue what i am looking for with the parts or even how to connect all them up.

 

[nry]

I have the D&D Set, and for £15 you get a 500g CO2 bottle, not overly different in price (and less hassle!) than sourcing refillable bottles. The set can be found for £99 if you search around, with one site (aquatics online) also doing free delivery on orders over £100 - add something cheap (fish food?) for a few quicd and there you are.

 

[SuperColey1]

That set on Aquarianversand is the one I was thinking of. It has the same needle valve and solenoid valve that I use on my setup.

The D&D whilst being a decent setup cannot match the price of Aquarianversand. Also the D&D kit seems to be getting to people different to the advertised kits, with a single gauge regulator and a different diffusor.

All the Aquarianversan kit needs is an adaptor nut which screws into where the refillable cannister would and thus lets you screw disposable cannisters.

Instructions wise. If you look at Dave Spencers Pre Journal page 4, 5, 6 one of them there are details of how to setup on there. Also on the CO2 pinned thread at the bottom Nicklfires link takes you to several sites that can help you here.

NRY the link above for disposable cannisters will fit the D&D set as they all tend to have the small thread on top capped with the removable (usually green) rubber cap. and they are £33 (including shipping) for 3 bottles of 600g (same size as D&D but with more content plus they are much cheaper) I have just received my 3 bottles hence I am pressurised again.

Andy

 

[nry]

Not bad, the D&D cannisters are £14 each plus P&P, so a decent saving!

 

[rsands]

hmm i think i will just go for the easy option and try the d&d set....if all goes to plan i will then upgrade to the german kit and use the d&d on my other tank i have! Plus the guy hasn't listed Uk delivery but i emailed him anyways. Once again guys, thanks for all the help. I will keep you all posted over the next few days on how the tank is getting on

 

[nry]

As mentioned, the D&D set seems to be a bit different than described: mine has only one gauge to monitor output pressure and not cylinder pressure. It had a seperate bubble counter and a powered pump which the CO2 goes into and the pump mashed up the bubbles and powers them around the tank. The pump was way too big for my tank so I have simply connected a plain old ceramic atomiser which works fine.