Co2- Bought All The Bits This Morning Just Awaiting Arrival...

[Andy-lee]

I have decided i want to introduce co2 into my tank, i think the plants with benefit and flourish thanks to its addition

How the tank stand at the moment...

Few questions though as i do not want to jump in without a clue...

First of all is this all the equipment that i will need?

Regulator
http/www.aquaessen...lve-p-3702.html

Tubing
http/www.aquaessen...-2m-p-3842.html

Diffuser / drop checker
http/www.ebay.co.u...=item3371bb6cb8

Co2 level indicator
http/www.tynwaldpe...-Indicator-Kit/

Is all this equipment suitable?

i have the Co2 tank sorted already also

Also what will i need to dose once i add co2? i currently dose easy life pro fito usually once a week or when ever i do my water change, i think im right to believe i will need to increase this fertilization to something that can cope with the plants uprated needs?

Help and advice with be much appreciated...
Thanks in advance
Andy

 

[Blubble37]

meh, i have that fluval co2 check thing and i dont think that much of it TBH

diffuser

reg

tubing - as long as it co2 tubing then it's always good!

 

[ainsy]

You will want a check valve to stop water siphoning back into the reg/solenoid like this:

Check valve

Fert wise you will want something like this:

ferts

Although you may be able to do away with the liquid carbon depending upon tank size and planting density.

You could also go down the EI route - it costs less in the long run:

EI calculator

HTH

 

[Blubble37]

You will want a check valve to stop water siphoning back into the reg/solenoid...

meh, only if it isnt on all the time... you could put it above the tank as well..... but i would still probably put one of these in anyways...

 

[Andy-lee]

Thnaks for the replies guys sorry for the delay on my behalf ...... work called

So what is this check valve we talk about? like a one way valve almost??

Can any of you also recommend a a good indicator to get instead of the one i listed?

Also do i need the two separate ferts or is there an all in one available?

Sorry for all the questions, but i think we all know its better to ask rather than jump in without a clue

Cheers guys
Andy

 

[ainsy]

No Probs - it is always better to ask before parting with money and then regretting it!

Yes the check valve is a one way valve that stops water getting back into the solenoid/reg when it is turned off (I assume you will be turning the co2 off when the lights are off)

To check co2 levels I got one of these:

drop checker

It works, but if I was buying another I would get one of these as it gives you something to compare the colour to:

double drop checker

You will also need some indicator solution to go in it:

indicator solution

You can get all-in-one ferts:

TPN+

but I have never used this son can't advise how good it is.
Hope this helps

 

[SO19Firearms]

You can get all-in-one ferts:

TPN+

but I have never used this son can't advise how good it is.
Hope this helps

It's one of the best off the shelf options

 

[Andy-lee]

Bought all the bits this morning from a few separate websites due to poor stocking on most websites

Regulator + Solenoid
http/www.h2oaquatics.co.uk/saltwater-equipment/co2-regulators/tmc-v2-co2-pressure-regulator-pro

Bubble counter
http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/tmc-aquagro-co2-bubble-counter-p-3812.html

Diffuser / one way valve / Co2 tubing
http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/ae-design-co2-diffuser-set-200l-p-5435.html

Drop Checker
http/www.aquariumonline.co.uk/planting_equipment_additives_and_co2/tropica/tropica_plant_nutrition_and_500ml_P2058.html

4dKH Solution
http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/ae-design-4-dkh-solution-with-bromo-blue-100ml-p-2425.html?cPath=194_199

TPN+
http/www.aquariumonline.co.uk/planting_equipment_additives_and_co2/tropica/tropica_plant_nutrition_and_500ml_P2058.html

All this stuff look okay (abit late now i suppose now its purchased lol )

Also when this all comes and its set up what rate should i set the Co2 at?? is there a basic calculation to calculate this?
Help appreciated
Thanks
Andy

 

[Livewire88]

All looks good to me

In regards to the bubble rate a good starting point would be 1BPS (one bubble per second) this way there should be no danger of overdoing it and harming your fish. Keep an eye on your drop checker throughout the day to make sure the CO2 level does not go to high, also keep an eye on your fishs behaviour (ie not gasping or gathering at surface) as the drop checker does not give a instant reading for what the CO2 level is at that exact time.

Good luck

ps; I wish I could get my hands on a load of Helferi like you have!!

 

[Andy-lee]

Thank god for that, just got to wait for it all to come now
So if i set the rate at that and just adjust it via the drop checker to get the desired level?
Also what times to have it coming on and off, any advice on that?

And as for the Helferi i got a few little bunches form pets at home, it looked rubbish at first though it was all going to die but then it picked up and grew to how it is in that picture
If it ever grows to big i would quite happily send you some if you were still needing some
Andy

 

[Livewire88]

Thank god for that, just got to wait for it all to come now
So if i set the rate at that and just adjust it via the drop checker to get the desired level?
Also what times to have it coming on and off, any advice on that?

And as for the Helferi i got a few little bunches form pets at home, it looked rubbish at first though it was all going to die but then it picked up and grew to how it is in that picture
If it ever grows to big i would quite happily send you some if you were still needing some
Andy

I set my CO2 to come on 90 mins before the lights turn on, and the CO2 turns off 60 mins before the lights go out.
This works well for my tank, I cant say for sure that it will with yours but it would be a good place to start, also my light level is not that high so 1BPS is enough for my plants needs.

A bit of trail and error should do the trick