How Do You Setup Pressurised Co2 ?

[Ben M]

hi, i would like to add pressurised co2 to my 216L planted community tank. but i don't know where to start.
the tank is: Length:120cm Width:40cm Height:45cm, and i have 1.25wpg of lighting. i dose 3ml of tpn+ daily, and change about a 5th of the water monthly. about how much would the complete setup cost and do i need to change the lighting? if so at what cost.
cheers

 

[Truck]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=212550

Ideally you should be doing larger water changes, as plants produce waste too, 50% weekly should clear most biofilms and un processable waste which may trigger algae.

 

[Ben M]

hi, i'll try to increase the water changes, it's just finding the time. i was thinking of buying a proper kit, like from a fish shop. not sure about the DIY one

 

[Truck]

don't waste your money on a kit, a FE set up is so much cheaper, and it isn't that much dangerous! treat the gas with respect and you'll be safe.

with the money you save you can buy dry fertilizers and plants.

 

[Ben M]

do you think that i would have to increase my lighting?
and would anubias and java fern be ok with higher lighting?
i would have to ask my dad to help.

 

[Truck]

the lighting is fine for most plants, what did you have in mind?

 

[Ben M]

well i have anubias and java fern at the min, but i thought that with co2 you needed higher lighting

 

[Truck]

you don't need higher light with CO2, andy's tank is a fine example of this

his journal is named:

once upon a time at the river bank

 

[Ben M]

oh right. i'm assuming that my lights are t8? could i just add t5 tubes?
how much more light would that produce?
thanks

 

[Truck]

T8 tubes are an inch in diameter, and T5's are a 5th of an inch in diameter, there is really no need to up the light, although it would increase your plant choice, with your current lighting, you could grow pretty much anything providing Co2 and ferts are up to scratch.

You can't simply put T5 tubes in a T8 fitting though, so you would need a new ballast, T6's are an option though, as they can be fitted in a T8 ballast and they refract less light so more light is entering the tank.

I really don't see the need to adjust the lighting though, it will just leave your tank more prone to algae.

 

[Ben M]

hi, so i'll leave the lighting. with co2 would i be able to grow fast growing stem plants and red stem plants?
and how do you work out the amount of co2 to use?
cheers

 

[Truck]

Co2 will need to be kept at 30PPM, we can measure this with a drop checker, 4DKH liquid and some low range PH solution. which are available from ebay, you would be able to grow stem plants, and some red plants, although, some red plants do like a little more light because they have lower levels of chlorophyll compared to greener plants.

 

[Ben M]

so, i think i'll ask my dad to help with the co2 and try some different plants.