Oh how I love my CO2 !!

[Grey Legion]

Well let me start off by saying that I have kept fish for almost 6 years now I own a 27Gal tall tank and have had the same fish for almost the entire time. I have also ALWAYS HAD A HUGE ALGAE PROBLEM !!, I guess a number of factors fell into this, my lack of knowledge, over lighting and over feeding and being a little lazy in my vacuum and water changes. My girlfriend and I just bought our first home in July of 2004 and the kitchen was large enough to house my 27Gal tank and what better place close to the sink no mess and no fuss, so I clean out everything and replaced the tank in the kitchen and it looked like new !!, we were very happy and thought our problems were solved but the algae came back !!. I was hopeless the kitchen gets a ton of light which is good for us and bad for our fish tank, the green stuff spread like wild fire !!! and I was actually planning on getting rid of the tank . Then a friend I have known for awhile told me how he has been keeping fish for years ( I never knew and never asked ) I told hime about my problem and he asked me a few questions about my tank.

#1 do I have real plants ( yes )
#2 do I have proper lighting ( yes )

and so on....

He told me how to produce my own CO2 using a DIY method and so I though what the heck do I have to lose I'll try it..

It has been one week now and the results are amazing the algae is peling off the glass and wood and plants like it is going out of style It look really gross but I will clean it all up today ( today is tank day !! )

also I will be adding some new plants and I added to my clean up crew

3 Oto Cats added to my 2 now I have 5 !!

1 Bristle Nose Pleco...

I will always have algae tank get way to much light but I am sure it will stay under control now and really only be enough to feed my clean up crew...

I am ever so happy and have found a new sparked interest in my fish and my tank !!!

THANKS TO CO2

please feel free to comment or ask any questions..

 

[OohFeeshy]

Kewl. What a simple solution to algae!

 

[smithrc]

the CO2 itself is not the key...

It'll be the plants growing and using up the nutrients before the algae can get at it.

 

[Grey Legion]

the CO2 itself is not the key...

It'll be the plants growing and using up the nutrients before the algae can get at it.

Sadly, your mistaken.

I have had plants in my aquarium for 6 years and the algae has alwasy been a problem, I am sure the plants have helped fight it in the past but now with the addition of the CO2 the plants are really getting a fighting chance to out eat the algae..

 

[thapsus]

CO2 also often lowers pH and most algaes like alkaline water better. That might have something to do with it too.

 

[smithrc]

the CO2 itself is not the key...

It'll be the plants growing and using up the nutrients before the algae can get at it.

Sadly, your mistaken.

I have had plants in my aquarium for 6 years and the algae has alwasy been a problem, I am sure the plants have helped fight it in the past but now with the addition of the CO2 the plants are really getting a fighting chance to out eat the algae..

Sadly? this is a forum for open debate - i dont mind hearing other views on a situation


The co2 is direclty benifcial to plant growth. with co2 added the plants will now have more of what they need to out compeat the algea.

DIY CO2 is unlikely to have changed the PH - (and if it has I'd be concerned as it is not controlable and will lead to problems)

What was your PH and what is in now?

 

[PhunFishGuy]

Your bristle nose pleco doesn't eat your plants?

 

[smithrc]

ours dont...

we've started to have problems with our common plec though. his diet seems to have changed as he got bigger (now 10") he leaves the algea and eats our plants now.

 

[Grey Legion]

the CO2 itself is not the key...

It'll be the plants growing and using up the nutrients before the algae can get at it.

Sadly, your mistaken.

I have had plants in my aquarium for 6 years and the algae has alwasy been a problem, I am sure the plants have helped fight it in the past but now with the addition of the CO2 the plants are really getting a fighting chance to out eat the algae..

Sadly? this is a forum for open debate - i dont mind hearing other views on a situation


The co2 is direclty benifcial to plant growth. with co2 added the plants will now have more of what they need to out compeat the algea.

DIY CO2 is unlikely to have changed the PH - (and if it has I'd be concerned as it is not controlable and will lead to problems)

What was your PH and what is in now?

Sorry I guess "sadly" was a poor choice to start my reply

Well my tank it doing fine all levels are normal and I see no problems in the near future ( hopefully )

I just got a new batch of plants for a friend a ton of Java Fern and 2 others I don't know ( but they look really nice )

The fish are just in heaven now and heopfully everything will root and do well, I have not clean any algae from the tank I only plan on keep ing the front glass clean, this way keeping a good food supply for my pleco and Oto's

I am just really happy to see a improvement in my tank I do like my fish and to see my plants pearling and happy fish is truly a joy

 

[canarsie11]

Did you take before and after pics? If not, we would love to see your after pics

 

[Mr Miagi]

LOL, nice reply canarsie11. I agree totally though.

Um, co2 would have helped your plants improve growth which then means they consume more nutrients, so im thinkin smithrc is right on this one. But i could be wrong too....

Anyways, atleast its doin good!

 

[Grey Legion]

Did you take before and after pics? If not, we would love to see your after pics

No sadly I do not have any "before" pics, but lets just say there was lots of green that I did not want to see..

I have "after" pics posted in the pictures forum..