confused about co2

[danski]

okay ive been in on a thread regarding co2 and since i dont want to risk trying to get the dosing right with a diy can i just but two of the kits like the ones on the dr fosters and smith site (sorry cant get the link to work)just use the two of them on my 29gal tank and not have to measure anything or will i still have to read ph and kh.im tryin to make this co2 happen without too much testing. and lastly do i really need co2 with a 65watt compact flourescent aqualight at 6500k on a 29gal tank?
thank you
p.s if i buy this set up can i use it later and convert it to diy? (just in case i get brave)

 

[StarOrbs]

Yah, of course you can buy it if you want.. DIY is not that hard you just have to figure out what amount yeast works best for you...

This is all you need, this is my DIY recipe and the stuff I use..
Airline tubing
Check valve
2 liter bottle
Drill a hole in the top to fit the top

recipe
-------
2 Cups Sugar
3/4 tsp yeast
1 tsp Bicarb
5 cups warm water

 

[zig]

Hey Danski.....me again

You should have said that in the other thread, if you only have a 65watt plant tube on a 29 gallon you dont absolutly need co2, it would help, but you dont need it if you would prefer not to use it, with the amount of light you have ( you have 2 watts per gallon.....65watt divided by 29g = 2 WPG approx ) you will get by without it, if you addd another light, then you will definatly need it.

If its a new plant setup make sure you add lots of stem plants in the beginning to try and outdo the algae, algae is common in new setups but if you add fast growing stem plants, the plants will get the nutrients before the algae does, well thats the plan anyway, try and avoid slow growers initially until your tank matures a bit more and then you can add plants that you would prefer later.

Good fast growing stem plants to start with would include the following, red ludwigia, moneywort, wisteria, egeria, and water sprite, you should be able to find these plants easy enough, just plant lots of them to begin with and that will help keep the algae at bay.

You could always add co2 later if you wish, it aint that hard as Star Orbs has allready said, just do some homework on it in the meantime and you will be fine, but with 2 WPG you dont need it for now if you dont want the trouble.


Best of luck.

 

[danski]

whew...thanks zig. you really put it into perspective for me. thats what i thought. now i can move onto buying lots of those plants you mentioned and get that moonlight too without worrying that i might need co2 to help the plants out and keep the algae at bay. thanks again

 

[zig]

Just dont keep your lights on all night and day, about 10-12 hours a day is enough anymore and you will be helping the algae.

No problem......enjoy

 

[danski]

just wanted to say that my order is already in at aquabotanics and i cant wait to get my asst algae buster pack,ludwigia,african bolbitis,java moss and hornwort. thanks again