Questions

Hello

Well i think its time to start doing something about my lack of Co2. I haven't yet got any. And my new plants that i have reasantly bought are starting to show signs of algae.

I plan to use a DIY mixture then diffuse it through the filter intake. The airline would be secured down the back of the tank using these
Then hopefully the filter will just suck in the bubbles. I'm not sure what i am going to do at night though...

Now i need to work out my Co2 levels to see when i have enough. Does anyone have any that they recommend for measuring the exact ph and kh levels? They cost so much for me Or is there any Co2 test out around? Is it worth getting Phosphate or any other test kits, like that?

Also i need to take down everything and add laterite or whatever nutrients to the gravel. Any recommendations?

And finally are people interested in a journal of and after my re-doing of the tank?


Gnatfish

Gnatfish said:

Hello

Well i think its time to start doing something about my lack of Co2. I haven't yet got any. And my new plants that i have reasantly bought are starting to show signs of algae.

I plan to use a DIY mixture then diffuse it through the filter intake. The airline would be secured down the back of the tank using these
Then hopefully the filter will just suck in the bubbles. I'm not sure what i am going to do at night though...

Click to expand...

What type of filter are you using? If you're using a Hang On The back then you really should have some method of diffusing the co2, or it's pretty much totally useless. If you're using a cannister filter, then there are ways of using it to diffuse the gas but since I don't have one, I don't know the method. If cost is an issue, you can use an airstone. I wouldn't worry about doing anything at night, DIY co2 doesn't really produce a large amount of co2 to make a huge impact on the health of your fish -- unless it's a small tank. Incidentally, what size is it?

Now i need to work out my Co2 levels to see when i have enough. Does anyone have any that they recommend for measuring the exact ph and kh levels? They cost so much for me Or is there any Co2 test out around? Is it worth getting Phosphate or any other test kits, like that?

Click to expand...

I use Aquarium Pharmaceuticals. Works good enough for me. Just about any ph and kh test kit will do. I personally don't use a Phosphate test kit, Nitrate I feel is necessary though.

Also i need to take down everything and add laterite or whatever nutrients to the gravel. Any recommendations?

Click to expand...

I use a 50/50 mix of flourite and sand, keeps the cost down, looks good, and works for the plants

And finally are people interested in a journal of and after my re-doing of the tank?


Gnatfish

Click to expand...

Of course! - just remember to include pics!

Hi Gnatfish

I'll try and answer a couple of points for you but you will get a better answer from more senior members (and I don't mean old). There is such a wealth of knowledge here it scares me and soooo much to learn.

Anyway I'll give it a go.

Firstly what size tank do you have, what type of sbstrate and lighting?

This will have a bearing on CO2 injection.

Laterite is great for the roots of plants to draw iron from and you can "plant" fert balls in the substrate as well which feed plants for months.

Let us know your specs then I'm sure the knowledge will flow.

There is nothing better than sharing your project with everyone in a journal, get to it.

Good luck

Tim

Hey

What type of filter are you using? If you're using a Hang On The back then you really should have some method of diffusing the co2, or it's pretty much totally useless. If you're using a cannister filter, then there are ways of using it to diffuse the gas but since I don't have one, I don't know the method. If cost is an issue, you can use an airstone. I wouldn't worry about doing anything at night, DIY co2 doesn't really produce a large amount of co2 to make a huge impact on the health of your fish -- unless it's a small tank. Incidentally, what size is it?

Click to expand...

I am using this filter: Fluval Bio-life
And its this tank: Hagen Tropiquarium 68

I use Aquarium Pharmaceuticals. Works good enough for me. Just about any ph and kh test kit will do. I personally don't use a Phosphate test kit, Nitrate I feel is necessary though.

Click to expand...

Thanks i've found a API KH one now at a reasonable price. The Ph ones dont go as high as what i think i might need. I have a rough idea of what my Ph is, but for this Co2 calculator that i found using this forum, its asks for spesific values.

I use a 50/50 mix of flourite and sand, keeps the cost down, looks good, and works for the plants

Click to expand...

At the moment i just use gravel, but apparently the Amazon Swords like the nutrients at their roots. Whats Flourite? Is presume its like Laterite, with the rite at the end?

Of course! - just remember to include pics!

Click to expand...

Ok, i better start praticing my photography.

EDIT: Just saw Hermit dads post.

Firstly what size tank do you have, what type of sbstrate and lighting?

Click to expand...

My lighting is 2x 30watts tubes.

Yup, you guest it somemore Hagen linkage

One of these

And one of these

The gravel is like this:




Thanks

Hello.....

Hi...

That was ment to be a bump .... sorry