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Added A Pressurized CO2 System
- To: Aquatic-Plants at actwin_com
- Subject: Added A Pressurized CO2 System
- From: DoctorNor at netscape_net
- Date: Thu, 05 Jun 2003 21:03:11 -0400
Greetings everyone,
Well, its been some time now since I have posted, but in the
last few months, I have learned a few good things with my tank.
First, when I originally set up my 55 gallon planted tank, I
added two 2 liter bottles with DIY yeast method CO2. All the
plants seemed to thrive, but slowly I began getting algae on all
of the plants and walls of the aquarium, and it quickly became a
problem that wasn't going to stop. So I decided to stop the DIY
yeast method (after reading here about how low levels of CO2 can
help growth, but actually cause heavy blooms of algae)and gave a
long period of darkness, which eventually got rid of the algae.
But also with it, my swords and hygo suffered greatly. But they
held on best they could. I waited to receive my regulator,
controller and other items I had ordered to set up a nice
pressurized CO2 system, deciding CO2 really helped and was worth
the expense. During this time, I went back to normal light cycles,
and proceeded without CO2 until all of the system was ready, and
I was educated on the proper use of a pressurized system.
Now previously, with the DIY yeast method, all of the plants
really grew nicely, and each couple days, you could see the new
growth. I had joked that the Anubia grew so fast, you could actually
see them reaching upwards. But now, without the CO2, the growth
was not noticeable at all. I was free of the algae, but they plants
were not shooting up as they had once done. It actually seemed if
they had just stopped. Over A good month or so of carefully watching
all of the plants, proved that no new root growth, runners or any
vertical growth had shown on any plant whatsoever.
So now, after finding a local company who fills CO2 tanks cheap,
as well as professionally,(believe me, I have searched the archives
for all of the messages on safety and am glad I did), I have set up
the automated system. And after just a short time, already the plants
seemed to have "perked up" again, and do not look at droopy as they
had the last month or so. The ph is back to "normal", hardness is
dropping more, and all seems back to normal, without algae. Im sure
some will grow, but hopefully, with regular water changes and good maintenance, it will not be a major problem like before.
So was using the DIY method worth it to use at first? Yes. It proved
a point to me that CO2 does work well, and with the proper equipment, much easier and efficiently. Did it cost more? Of course, but in the
long run, it will be worth it I believe. And beleive me, I did'nt get
all the equipment at once, I had to budget and get each piece of equipment when I could. Did this forum help? You bet it did! I want to thank everyone for their helpful hints, experiences, education and dedication.
And now, onto my questions:
1, I made my own hood, and have (2) 10,000K 32 watt T-8 bulbs, which
are "supposed" to be more powerful than 40 watt T-12's. Is this
enough light, and if not, what should be my minumum K and wattage
for a moderate to heavy planted tank?
2, What is the best method of preventing "end of tank dump"? I bought
a 5lb tank, as well as a 2.5lb tank for use during fill time. I had
heard to check daily on the high side for slowly dropping pressure,
is this the best way?
3, Should the tank be purged completely after disconnecting it when the
bottle needs to be filled? Or will that happen when the bottle is
filled? Does it need to be completely empty before filling?
My education goes on....
Tony C.
Boston Area
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