Some Co2 Help Please

[Spooky76]

Hi I posted in the tropical chat section and was told to post here instead.

been thinking about it for a while now, but finally decided to try adding some co2 to my 200L tank to see if it helps promote better plant growth.

I dont want to spend a fortune, nor do I want to kill my fish, so can anybody recommend a cheap reliable method for injecting co2 ? I have been reading up and Hydor sell a few product, as do API but they vary in price from £30 to £100 although they will all do a 200L tank easily.

Is it the quality of the setup ? I.e. the valve, bottle etc ?

Should I be doing this ? I have read the pinned article above, but is there a reason I should get the expensive one or are they no better ?

Any help or advice would be appreciated...

 

[SuperColey1]

The hydor ones range from £30 (yeast setup) to the more expensive pressurised ones.

Their pressurised systems have a very poor reputation because:

1 - The cylinders are tiny and would last a week max on a 200Ltr
2 - Their tiny cylinders cost more than a 2kg fire extinguisher cost to refill and only just less than a full fire extinguisher off ebay!!
3 - they are not very precise.
4 - 'Apparently' They go wrong easily (never bought one myself)

Much better for you is to read some threads on pressurised CO2 on here. scroll down there are loads. There is a refillable option or disposable cylinder both in pressurised.

If you are going to go the CO2 route for your sized tank it would have to be pressurised as yeast will not suply you with enough.

With CO2 equipment it is not always you get what you pay for. A top brand unit made for aquarium use would cost circa £300. Most of us have just as good setups using non aquarium goods (After all it is just a CO2 regulator and valves which are all used in welding etc.) for around the £100 mark.

When you say it is to promote plant growth do you need it? Are your plants sick. Do you have high light that warrants CO2 injection?

Most use CO2 mainly because they have high light but there are exceptions.

Andy

 

[Spooky76]

HI Andy

thanks for the info.

I currently put plant food in my tank every 2 weeks, which costs quite alot when I use it in the 125l and 200l. Some of my plants never really take well, the never really root.

As for the lighting, I have a twin Arcadia starter with 2 55w Day and Night twin tubes in So in effect theres 110w of light in the 4ft tank, although because its a home made lid, the lights are about 3" off the water.

I just thought some c02 in there might make the plants grow more effectively...

I will have a look at pressurised methods on here.

Thanks
Stu

 

[SuperColey1]

You have just under 1.8WPG so you should be able to get away without CO2 and without fertilisation.

If it were my tank though I would however add both!!

I am at 1.8WPG so similar.

By saying you have 55W I am assuming (maybe incorrectly) that you mean power compacts!! which are brighter but darned hard to get reflectors for. Do you have reflectors?

As for ferts it shouldn't cost too much for a 125 and 200. What ferts are you using?

Andy