Joining the CO2 ranks!

Hello fellow aqua-gardiners,

I invested in two inexpensive CO2 systems. One for each tank. The plants are fine, have to prune again, but I'd thought I'd practice putting CO2 in these tanks before I moved back to FL to setup larger planted systems. Do I want my plants growing more? I guess I do. By the way, the anacharis in the 15g is now up and over. The wall is complete and will have to be pruned tomorrow.

Here is a picture from maybe two weeks ago of my 15g



And here it is today. As you can see, my plants haven't stopped growing. My poor anubias need more light.



I won't even discuss my 10g planted, need to prune that one too. My bettas are screaming "I have no room mommy! Stop growing these darn things!"

The Algae has actually been quite managable, which is blowing me away. I really expected with 2.86WPG and 3.0WPG to be having a big problem by now.

I have tongs to remove stuff from the ground and make my life easier. In addition, I've purchased Fe, CO2, and Phosphate tests. I feel like a real with all my special chemicals. Wish me luck, and hopefully nothing will blow up!

wow that has grown!! well done looks good although in need of a prune

houndour said:

wow that has grown!!  well done   looks good although in need of a prune

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No kidding, I took one look at it this morning and said "maybe I'll do this on Monday." I think they'll last that long. It was just soooo hot today and I went shopping, and I'm making excuses. I had enough energy to change my betta bowls and that's it! My 10g is even more over grown, and this is all without CO2. I can only imagine what CO2 will bring me!

I also bought a black background, I think it will improve the look of the tank; help the fish and plants stand out better.

Well, CO2 is installed in both tanks now. I am tired, did a full day of tank maintenance. Setting up the CO2 was easier than expected, and the tanks seemed to need it. I have a arsenol of tests, including CO2, and I was at 10ppm per each tank, so I figure any increase will benefit the plants.

I also pruned the 15g very heavily to see if I don't have to prune next week. What makes my life especially difficult is that my inquisitive Bridget barbs will not let me vacumn the tank. They keep getting sucked up, so I can't vacumn. That means I have to pick up stuff from the bottom with tongs. Sorry for the rant. Eventually the anacharis will cover the CO2 counter and the filter components. In addition, I put a black background to see if the plants and fish will stand out better. At least I can see my anubias now.

If the moderators would prefer, this topic can be moved to members's aquarium. Though it started as a CO2 thread, it is becomming a tank journal and I feel that is probably more appropriate there, but I leave that to your discretion.

Here is an updated picture of the tank with the background. Let me know what you guys think. Thank you very much for reading, and if you have any input, please feel free to make comments and give advice.

Both CO2 units are showing bubbles in the bubble counter thingamagig, just thought I'd give an update.

Looks much better with the black background!