Hi Everyone!
I'm pretty new to the forum - I posted once before to ask for help on my 21 Litre Nano, because every time I did a water change, my nitrites would go up! I've actually had to break down the tank and nearly gave up on it (and the hobby) altogether - but here I am.
I started having massive issues with algae (I think it was hair algae as it was pretty fluffy, as well as Cyanobacteria), and when I did a water change it would hugely die off and pollute the tank with too much dead bio-load. Became a hell for my poor fish so he's in an emergency space while I cycle another (very minimal and basic) tank.
After some research, I found out that the hair algae might be caused by not having any (or enough) CO2. Which I was initially confused about, but then I saw a lot of mention of light strength. I'd previously popped into my local Aquatic Centre some months before and was admiring their display tanks - the plant growth was gorgeous and of course, I was interested in how I could replicate this in my own tank. The member of staff suggested a different light to my original LED light that came with the Aqua One Nano. Great I thought!
I was looking at the box after researching the algae to find that its a bloody strong light (categorised as sunny!). And I've seen a lot of talk about CO2 being essential if your light is powerful. I didn't know this at the time, I certainly didn't know that I should ask or that it was something to think about (I am a beginner after all) and I feel a bit disappointed that the member of staff didn't mention it either! Now I know to ask at least: what is the impact of using this, not using that etc, even if I don't know exactly what I should ask!
So my question (I bet you're thinking finally after all this text).
If I plan to rebuild my Nano tank, and still use the light (its good quality and a pretty penny), apart from good fertisiliser (recommendations welcome), what would you recommend a beginner for CO2?
Any thoughts would be much appreciated!
Thanks!
I'm pretty new to the forum - I posted once before to ask for help on my 21 Litre Nano, because every time I did a water change, my nitrites would go up! I've actually had to break down the tank and nearly gave up on it (and the hobby) altogether - but here I am.
I started having massive issues with algae (I think it was hair algae as it was pretty fluffy, as well as Cyanobacteria), and when I did a water change it would hugely die off and pollute the tank with too much dead bio-load. Became a hell for my poor fish so he's in an emergency space while I cycle another (very minimal and basic) tank.
After some research, I found out that the hair algae might be caused by not having any (or enough) CO2. Which I was initially confused about, but then I saw a lot of mention of light strength. I'd previously popped into my local Aquatic Centre some months before and was admiring their display tanks - the plant growth was gorgeous and of course, I was interested in how I could replicate this in my own tank. The member of staff suggested a different light to my original LED light that came with the Aqua One Nano. Great I thought!
I was looking at the box after researching the algae to find that its a bloody strong light (categorised as sunny!). And I've seen a lot of talk about CO2 being essential if your light is powerful. I didn't know this at the time, I certainly didn't know that I should ask or that it was something to think about (I am a beginner after all) and I feel a bit disappointed that the member of staff didn't mention it either! Now I know to ask at least: what is the impact of using this, not using that etc, even if I don't know exactly what I should ask!
So my question (I bet you're thinking finally after all this text).
If I plan to rebuild my Nano tank, and still use the light (its good quality and a pretty penny), apart from good fertisiliser (recommendations welcome), what would you recommend a beginner for CO2?
- I've seen on the forum that liquid CO2 isn't recommended because its pretty harmful (disinfectant did you say?!)
- I'm honestly intimidated by the gas injection...
- What plants would be best choice for this - I assume carpet plants might now be within reach
- What other knock off impacts could I expect if I use CO2 (I know Ph is an issue, accident poisoning due to Plants expiring CO2 at night etc)
- I'm also planning to try out using RO water, since my tap water is high in phosphate (I'd like to use RO water and dose it rather than mixing with tap)
- I also have a glass heater and previously kept the tank at 25 degrees C
Any thoughts would be much appreciated!
Thanks!