What Is My Light Level? Which Co2?

[Zoepop]

Hi I have a roma 240 with the two standard tubes that came with the tank, I'm guessing that would be classed as a low light level? I have quite a few plants in the tank at the moment and more on order so starting to think about introducing some co2 and weekly ferts. I used tetraplant substrate under my gravel so the roots should be ok but what is the best liquid fertiliser i can add and also what is the easiest method of CO2 i can add?

The chap in the LFS suggested the Tetra CO2 Optimat for ease of use and economy but I've been reading up on here and everyone seems to suggest the Nutrafin CO2 so now I'm just not sure!

Do I need to buy a testing kit to check my CO2 levels already in the tank?

Thanks in advance of your help and apologies if there are a lot of silly questions in there!

 

[Deek]

You have 63 US gallons and 80 Watts so 1.3 WPG which is OK for moderatly easy to grow plants if its like the Roma 200 then you should have plant enhancing bulb (Flora Glow), All i done to mine was improve the reflector with shiny ones seemed to brighten up tank more and added CO2, I'm using the TMC easy grow starter kit was a tenner so thought why not, i did have DIY at one point but the TMC seems good it's a disposeable can that you use to fill the reactor manually in the morning then a top up in afternoon if required.

 

[ian]

The problem with that Optimat is the cost can mount up big time. I looked into it on my 50g and it would cost £12 a week on cannisters. You'd need 2 cannisters, maybe a third on yours because the cans are only pressured for 100lts. So you'd be looking at £18 a week. Which is fine if you have the time and money, thats why i decieded to stay low tech (the best tech IMO).

When it comes to ferts, the best on the market is probably TPN plus, which is available on the net. I have yet to find a LFS who sells it. Which would be best dosed daily. Have you thought of some liquid C02?, obviously not as good as the real thing but more economical than real C02. What plants are you thinking of planting?

There is some good low tech tanks in the journals, have a look at 'Tales of the Crypts' by lljdma06 (one of the mods). Have a look and see how low tech, she has gone.

good luck.

 

[lljdma06]

Do I need to buy a testing kit to check my CO2 levels already in the tank?

Thanks in advance of your help and apologies if there are a lot of silly questions in there!

There are no silly questions. We were all at this stage at one time.

Test kits for CO2 levels will not help. If you choose to liquid dose with Easycarbo or Flourish Excel as Ianho suggested, then you cannot measure your levels and will have to go by plant observation to see if you have enough. If you choose to inject the actual CO2 gas, then the most reliable, inexpensive method to measure is with the use of a dropchecker.

Your tank is large, if you choose to inject the gas, pressurized, in the long run, is actually going to be the most economical choice for you.

Some links for you from PARC.

Fire Extinguisher CO2 - I love the disclaimer in the beginning. Priceless.

Equipment needed for Fire Extinguisher CO2

Guide to Dropcheckers

All of them are by Aaronnorth. Like Ianho said, my specialty is with low-tech, non CO2 systems, though I do use CO2 on very small tanks. It is an option with your lighting level, but you would have to rethink how you approach tank maintenance in general. It can be initially jarring to go from the dogma of religious weekly waterchanges for the entire tank's life to going months without one.

Thanks for the mention, Ianho, I've really got to do a waterchange and update my journal. Here is a link for that as well.

Tales of the Crypts

 

[Zoepop]

That is a lot to read! I'll have a go. Here (hopefully if it uploads!) is a pic of my tank so far, the plants have been in a couple of weeks and a few of them have been nibbled by my apple snails (that supposedly aren't meant to eat plants!! Hmmm) but what do you think so far? I think i could do with more plants but not sure exactly what!

DO you think low tech could be the way forward? not sure I could cope with all of the work of the CO2 and don't think I could cope without water changes! could i still add ferts but not co2 or would that just couse algae growth is it both or nothing?

lljdma06 had a quick scan through your pages and it looks amazing!!

 

[lljdma06]

That is a lot to read! I'll have a go. Here (hopefully if it uploads!) is a pic of my tank so far, the plants have been in a couple of weeks and a few of them have been nibbled by my apple snails (that supposedly aren't meant to eat plants!! Hmmm) but what do you think so far? I think i could do with more plants but not sure exactly what!

DO you think low tech could be the way forward? not sure I could cope with all of the work of the CO2 and don't think I could cope without water changes! could i still add ferts but not co2 or would that just couse algae growth is it both or nothing?

lljdma06 had a quick scan through your pages and it looks amazing!!

One can always have more plants.

I don't know, low-tech has worked for me, but high-tech has as well. It really depends on how much light you have.

Believe me, I have found not doing waterchanges quite liberating. Makes maintenance very easy. I dose macros and micros nutrients in my 36g tank.

Oh thank you. I plan on updating today. Just did the waterchange and will be taking photos today.

llj