Nutrafin Natural Plant System

[leafs]

I'm contemplating purchasing this system. How easy are these to set up and maintain? Would one unit be enough for a 29 gal? I have a very low light tank (under 1 watt/gal)) with some low light plants which are growing fairly well. I was thinking about doubling my lights to 40 watt total, but Jimboo advised me that it would only cause more algae, so I'd like to maybe try this system first. Any advise would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[kris-b-]

Sorry if it seems like I'm hijacking this thread but I am also interested in one of the above and also have a few questions about it....

If I do invest in one are you supposed to upgrade your lights? Once the sachets run out I read that you can use yeast and bicarbinate of soda (i think) do you just add this to the Hagen system or do you need to make something yourself like a bottle and add it on?

 

[AndyTaylor]

Leafs, add CO2 and get it running well before upgrading lights, just as Jimbooo said. Nutrafins work well and should be fine in your tank, particularily with your low lighting levels. They can be a bit of a pain to get high levels of CO2 out of (check my 'How long should CO2 last' thread if you want to be put off the system!)
I say go for it, it should make a difference to your plants.

Kris-b: the sachets you get with the Nutrafin units are just pre-measured yeast and Bi carbonate of soda (baking soda. I'm playing with the mix ratios at the moment but, despite my problems, it's not difficult really.
Again, refer to the thread above..........
.....it's more like, if you upgrade your lights you need CO2 but not neccessarily the other way 'round.

 

[leafs]

Thanks AndyTaylor. I think I'll give it a try. I'm just a little concerned about flucuating ph levels. My tank is running nicely now and I don't want to mess it up. How often do you have to add the mixtures to the unit? I've never tested my CO2, I'm assuming that theres a test kit?

Thanks

 

[AndyTaylor]

Leafs, I'm really only starting out with this CO2 thing so don't take my advice as gospel....
You should only have to change the mix weekly and you test for CO2 by cross referencing your PH level with your KH level using Chucks planted tank calculator, the link to which i can't find but, if you do a search on here you'll turn it up.
I won't even try to advise you on fluctuating PH levels, i'll leave that to the more experienced....

Andy

 

[zig]

I would just buy the ladder on its own, for a 29 US gallon tank you are pushing it with the nutrafin cannister basically they are only recommended for up to 20 gals, if you get the ladder on its own you can then make your own container with a 2 liter soda bottle and some airline tubing and this should do the trick and save you money in the process.

 

[kris-b-]

Where can you get the ladder part from?

 

[jimbooo]

ahh the golden question - big als sell them in the US but i've never seen them seperatly in the UK. thats not to say they dont exist though just that i have not found a supplier.

 

[AndyTaylor]

But then again, you couldn't find the yeast that was 2 minutes walk away either! Maybe they have the ladders too.....? Sorry mate, i couldn't resist that one

 

[kris-b-]

Also what does the ladder part do? Make it difficult for the liquids to enter the tank?

 

[jimbooo]

andy: i'm saying nothing

Kris : the bubbles enter the ladder at the bottom and climb the rungs dissolving into the water on route. it keeps the bubbles in contact with water for longer basically

 

[AndyTaylor]

The bubbles of co2 travel slowly up the ladder. The ladder is submerged in the water, the bubbles enter at the bottom and slowly work their way up to the top dissolving(?) as they go....

It also gives your fish something to climb when they're bored, like an aquatic adventure playground!! *lol*

 

[leafs]

I'm glad I asked these questions. Looks like I could save a few bucks thanks to everyone. Can someone please send my a link for diy C02 system with a detailed discription on how to do it all?

Thanks

 

[kris-b-]

So once the sachets are used up where do you add the yeast and bicarb to? or do you put it into a bottle and attach that?

 

[RYO]

So once the sachets are used up where do you add the yeast and bicarb to? or do you put it into a bottle and attach that?

It might help if you see the system , try this link
http/badmanstropicalfish.com/products/plant_system.html
The yeast ,sugar,bicarb and water go in the gray bottle. This produces the co2 which then travels up the ladder(which is in the water) the bubbles traveling up the ladder are absorbed in the water.
If you want to use bigger bottles (2lt pop bottles) for bigger or longer production of co2 you can always get something like this instead of the ladder.
http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?...products_id=261
hope this helps