Short Sword And Co2 Pressurized Help

[Phage]

First, I'm not sure exactly which type it is. I assume ozelot or leopard but I'm not sure.
Second, new leaves are growing but they seem to stay at the bottom and not grow up, The stems I mean.

No co2 (waiting for parts so I can make pressurized)
I was using just seachem flourish but started to use kno3 and kh2po4 this week.
light 10 hours T5 108W over 55usg tank, one 12,000K and another one, I don't know but it is really pinkish purple looking.

Why is it staying short? :\



Next few posts is my co2 pressurized questions, didn't want to make a lot of new threads so using this one

 

[aaronnorth]

it is probably limited by CO2, wait until you have it setup then report back

 

[Phage]

I got the regulator today.

I have dual gauge reg, solenoid, needle valve, bubble counter, check valve, and the airline.
I need a diffuser/reactor. I was wondering what would be best? Can I use a bubble ladder from a nutrafin kit thing?
How far away from the reg do I place the bubble counter and how far from the bubbler do I put the check valve?

Well I am having a hard time finding a fire extinguisher. So I might have to buy a co2 tank from the refilling place. Unless someone can show me a place where I can get a cheaper one...

 

[aaronnorth]

IMO for a 55g tank you want a reactor, you can get inline or internal.

The ladder can be used but it wont be as efficient.

i have my bubble counter about 2cm away from my reg (it attaches directly onto it) so it doesnt matter about the distance, again i dont think it matters about the placement of the return valve, closer to the water surface is better i suppose,

get a FE from here|:

http/home-garden.shop.ebay.co.uk/items/_...p;_osacat=41968

 

[Phage]

Thanks Aaron, a big help as always
Does it matter if I am in the US? :\ (referring to link)

 

[susankat]

Swords are also a heavy root feeder, I would put a plant tab into the substrate next to the plant.

 

[aaronnorth]

i am not 100% sure but arent the attachments different over there? In that the reg has a male attachment rather than female?

I have seen attachments that convert it to a male fixture though. Have a look in the yellow pages (if you have something like that overthere lol) which has loads of different companies, otherwise i would ask on here as i am sure someone in the US will use a FE

 

[Phage]

Wouldn't my substrate be enough for it? I use flourite.

And there are male and female regs? Oh boy.. I don't know how to tell the difference... No, I'm not trying to take a crack at it XD But yea I am lost now.

 

[aaronnorth]

flourite is fine.

perhaps the reg is ok, and it is just me getting confused between different countries?

 

[Phage]

lol, maybe. But I am just as confused as you
I'll ask my father to call the refill place. He would probably understand more than I would.

Edit: Hmm, could the sword be getting too much light? I know some plants stay short if they get too much light. I don't think it works on swords does it? What kind is mine anyway? :\

 

[aaronnorth]

lol

not sure on the specie, light makes them grow more compact, but not short, CO2 is related to short and slow growth

 

[Phage]

I finally got my pressurized co2 setup. I am happy. lol.
How many bubbles should I set it to?
I think the pH is lowering as well. I don't think it has gone down drastically. Maybe .4. Hard to tell on those stupid test cards, colors all look the same to me How much would it drop to? It was around 7.4-7.6 and now it is showing between 7.2-7.4 I don't know my kh though :\
And should I shut it off at night or run an airstone? It has a solenoid but I didn't buy a timer yet...

I think my hornwort likes it already.
And my angelfish keep eating my wisteria the plants are so sad looking, torn to bits lol.

 

[aaronnorth]

well done lol

pH typically drops about 1 degree.
You dont need to know your kh.
Shut it off at night with the solenoid manually, no need for the airstone.

 

[Phage]

So I just set up my pressurized CO2 about 4 days ago. I turn it off at night, unplugging the solenoid. But every morning there is water in the hoses and check valves.
I have a check valve between the ladder and bubble counter, then bubble counter to the co2 tank, there is 2.

First night I just left the co2 on and put in an airstone.
Second night I didn't detach anything.
Third night I took apart the hose connecting the bubble ladder to the bubble counter. The water from the bubble counter went into the remaining hoses.

I plan to get timers for my light and solenoid so taking apart the hosing won't do me any good. How could I prevent the back flow of water? I have check valves but they don't seem to do me any good. Maybe they aren't the proper type. But I use one that came with the regulator. Or maybe they are backwards? lol... (I also plan to buy a diffuser to replace the ladder)


Also, I ordered some plants online. They took forever to arrive. They were shipped the 10th and finally arrived today. What do you think of their conditions? I ordered 2 tiger lotus bulbs, christmas moss, wendtii (green and brown), balansae, and anubias barteri.


I mean they are small. Think they can recover? The leaves of the crypts and tiger lotus were removed before shipping and seem to have grown a little during shipping. I removed a lot of mushy dead stuff off of the plants. But the rest seemed to be alive, ok roots and the main structure didn't fall apart. But I'm not sure if they are good. Any opinions? And how long till they can grow?

 

[aaronnorth]

not sure why you are getting backflow, i woukdnt be happy with the plants, i would want a refund or replacement.