Advice For Co2 Injections?

[RainboWBacoN420]

Hi there, haven't been on in a while because I've been busy working on my new 55 gallon. I've already got a lot of plants in there at the moment. Some java ferns, anubias nanas,cryto wendtiis, staurogyne repens, micro sword, dwarf hair grass, Marimo moss balls and java moss. A lot of plants, a lot nutrients being sucked up really fast. I've been using Seachem Excel Flourish as a substitute for CO2. But I really wanna invest in a CO2 set up. Can someone recommend any good brands that make regulator valves, I hear some regulators won't keep a solid flow of CO2 over time, making huge bursts of CO2 at random times.

 

[Lunar Jetman]

What lighting have you got? There's no point in putting CO2 in unless you have the lighting to match or you'll just be wasting your time.

 

[RainboWBacoN420]

I have Marineland, led strip. 702 lumens, 120 volts, 60 Hz, with 7800 K.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

No matter what plants one has in a tank, adding co2 will always benefit them. However, that is not the same thing as saying a tank has plants etc. that make having supplemental CO2 a must.
 
I ran my co2 system for about 12 years before taking the tank down. I bought my bottle and regulator from a beer supply company and it worked fine for the entire time. http/www.kegworks.com/draft-beer/air-tanks-regulators
 
I got my bubble counter, CO2 resistant tubing and a Clippard needle valve elsewhere. I pushed the co2 directly into my Eheim Pro II instead of using a diffuser or other similar device.
 
The co2 system was still working fine when I sold it for $100 after 12 years.

 

[RainboWBacoN420]

Kegworks is the brand that I was going to order the CO2 cylinder from. They seem like a really good brand.
I just added dwarf hair grass into my 55, so I definitely want to get a CO2 system up asap.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Their standard dual gauge regulator worked just fine for me and was not overly expensive. I had the needle valve screwed into the output of the cyclander. it required i get a bras step down connector. I took the regulator and needle valve to a plumbing supply place and said I needed to connect them. I think it cost about $2.50. Be sure to use Teflon tape on all the threaded connections in the system.

 

[RainboWBacoN420]

Actually, I've decided to hold off on CO2 for my 55 gallon, I thought it would be better to experiment with my 15 gallon first, and the results have been lovely. 
 
I bought a Fluval 88 gram CO2 kit, but later ended up switching the 88 gram cylinder out for a 24 oz paintball CO2 tank. I kept the valve because I liked it so much, and bought a Hydra paintball adapter to fit the cylinder. I've been going about two month without having to worry about replacing the cylinder. And my local Sports Authority only charges $3 for each refill, 10th one free. c:
 
I leave the CO2 running 24/7, 1/2 bps.
I have a CO2 indicator so I don't over do it. 

 

[snowflake311]

I have only used co2 on small tanks 10-20gal. I have an 80gal planted tank that has 65watt x 2. It is a bit over stocked with fish and that helps the plants. This tank is balanced well. I add frets and root tabs. No co2 needed. I also have little to no algae in this tank. I get green spot on the glass.

My 20 gal I just added DIY co2 to. I use to keep a carpet of baby tears with DIY co2. I when you use co2 you need to make sure you have good light on the high side you also need to add frets daily.

I would love to add co2 to my 80gal but can not bring myself to spend the money on it since the plants grow well with out it. They would grow much faster if I had co2. In my 20gal with co2 a year back I had to weed that tank out almost monthly.

 

[RainboWBacoN420]

I've ordered some Finnex Planted Plus 24/7 for my girlfriend's tank, and in return she's going to give me her old lights for my 15 gallon. It already has good lights that it came with, but I think they're wearing out a bit, so it's time to upgrade. I've also gotten better ferts, I've switched from Leaf Zone to SeaChem's brand. I did a whole bunch of extensive research, logging the percentages of nutrients that are in the ferts for various brands and everything. And from my research I've tacked on that SeaChem is probably the best choice for all my plants. I don't dose it daily, I'm following the given advice on the bottles and dosing weekly. Except for the carbon supplement for the 55 since there's no CO2 running on the tank.
I've gotten sooo many more plants, so maybe soon I might invest in some pressurized CO2 for it. Not sure yet.