Should I Diy Co2

[Robbo85]

i only have standard juwel lights, is it worth doing a diy co2 set up?

 

[RadaR]

i only have standard juwel lights, is it worth doing a diy co2 set up?

A few years ago the standard tubes were t8. Now they are t5. Which are your's?

If the tank is over 15gallons then I wouldnt bother with DIY CO2. I'd just dose liquid carbon every day. I've had fantastic results with liquid carbon, as have many others.

If the tank does have t8s then you might get away without any form of carbon addition if you have floating plants that block out light itensity. If you have t5s then you will be looking at some form of carbon addition.

 

[Robbo85]

i only have standard juwel lights, is it worth doing a diy co2 set up?

A few years ago the standard tubes were t8. Now they are t5. Which are your's?

If the tank is over 15gallons then I wouldnt bother with DIY CO2. I'd just dose liquid carbon every day. I've had fantastic results with liquid carbon, as have many others.

If the tank does have t8s then you might get away without any form of carbon addition if you have floating plants that block out light itensity. If you have t5s then you will be looking at some form of carbon addition.

Its30 gallon, i have been overdosing flourish excel to get rid of some black beard so i might just add some of that daily and some seachem flourish weekly and give co2 a miss

 

[RadaR]

I have a 30gallon Juwel myself with 2x18W t8s with reflecters. I dosed liquid carbon daily and followed the EI dosing method. It worked very well indeed. It's back on injected CO2 now though.
When you inject CO2 or dose liquid carbon the you must also dose macro nutrients (NPK). This is because the increased growth by adding the carbon also increases the demand for nutrients. NPK are needed more therefore you need to supply more (more than the fish can produce).
Black beard algae is due to low/unstable carbon levels. Also make sure flow distribution is efficient throughout the whole tank.

 

[rdstars]

Well I only have a 38w T8 tube for my 350L+ tank, I have been growing Anubias for about two years now without anything.

I cut back my plant and with Anubias it is said you get a new Leaf about every 6 weeks, CO2 & Light have no or little effect.

Within two weeks of using DIY CO2 I have had 3 new leafs and a noticeable change in colour.

For me I say that yes it has been worth it, remember it will drop your PH level.

 

[Robbo85]

thanks for the help. I will stay away from the co2 and just dose liquid carbon and ferts. i am looking for a big bright plant to center my tank that doesn't need co2 injection or top lights, any suggestion?

 

[RadaR]

Most Echinodorus species will do well.