Liquid Co2 Leary....

[jeffadams]

Hey guys I am fairly new to live plants being in the tank and I just had a few question about this ApI liquid Co2 booster and Api leaf zone. I have a 20 gallon tank with Led lighting. I just recently purchased three different plants that I got from petsmart. I have Cyperus helferi, Java Fern, and some anibias. Do I use this liquid C02 every day and the leaf zone. Is there a better product to make my plants flourish. I currently have gravel in there how well will they do in there?

 

[rms]

As they are two seperate products containing different things I would just follow the instructions for dosage. Check the contents first. You might want to start below the recommendation and work your way up. Depending on progress you might not need the full dosage, saving you some cash in the long run. Phosphate remover might be a good addition to fight off aglae.
 
In the long run you'll save money by investing in pressurised co2, or even more with DIY. The latter requires maybe a lot more experience though as it's difficult to control co2 levels going in unless you know what you're doing. I certainly wouldn't try DIY just yet. I use pressurised co2 from sodastream bottles. Initial outlay was half that of other pressurised kits and refills are only £10 every 3/4 months. Might be worth researching and saving up while you use liquid form in the meantime.
 
I don't know an aweful lot about substrate, but there are many designed specifically for plants. They're expensive though. Gravel should be fine as long as it's around 2 to 3mm, otherwise the roots will have problems finding a home. From your list only Cyperus helferi should be planted in the substrate though. Anibias is prone to rotting in substrate, prefers bog wood or rock. Same with Java Fern I believe.

 

[jeffadams]

I was doing ine research on the diy co2 and its not really complicated just to advanced for me at the moment your right. Maybe I should some better research before going out amd buying all these plants. Im just trying to to in all the information in I can without jumping right in like some people and it nips you ars. I wanna do it right the first time but thanks for the suggestions and the tips. I plan on getting dirt soon and gravel that isnt blue like i have at the moment

 

[KirkyArcher]

Liquid Co2 is best dosed daily and gradually build up to the full recommended dosage *(2ml/day) over a few weeks. Equally daily fertiliser dosing is probably the best route to follow recommended weekly dose divided by 7, *(around 1.5ml per day)  I just dose plant ferts weekly though and I'm enjoying healthy plants with strong growth
* dosage for your 20 gal tank

 

[rms]

Im just trying to to in all the information in I can without jumping right in like some people and it nips you ars. I wanna do it right the first time but thanks for the suggestions and the tips.

 
Seems we are following the same approach. I generally find though there are lots of different ways/opinions/advice and it's tricky to get it right first time. And then of course what's right for one plant/fish/person is wrong for another. I think that's why I love it so much. Good luck with it and if you get to a point where you've read so much you don't know what to do

, just go with what you think is right and safe. That's what I always end up doing!!