Ok, I've Had It. You Guys Win.

[coolie]

I'm going full blown CO2 with fire extinguisher. It was bound to happen sooner or later.

 

[Shelster]

Ha ha - great, would you mind doing a journal?

I will go pressurised eventually, just like to read folks progress so I can get my head around it

 

[Robbo89]

I second that, journal plllllzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[coolie]

Yes, I will keep a photo journal and post it.

 

[mike455555]

ooo yay =D cant wait to see this /these set ups

 

[coolie]

Does anyone know how long those half kilo JBL bottles last between fill ups, assuming it's off overnight on the solenoid?

 

[Livewire88]

Does anyone know how long those half kilo JBL bottles last between fill ups, assuming it's off overnight on the solenoid?

It depends on how much you are injecting in to your tank.

 

[coolie]

Well, I didn't win any of the UK auctions for regulator bits and pieces as the prices were going higher than new kit from the far East.
There again, I have not bougght any regulators or Solenoids from the far East as I am worried about quality. I need to look into it a bit further yet.

 

[coolie]

I've got my CO2 running. I need to get a solenoid, that's the only bit that's missing.
 
Does anyone know how the first few days with CO2 pan out. How will it take plants to pick up on it, when they were all pretty much alive but in hibernation.
 
Any ferts good to give them a kick? I was thinking Potassium Phosphate?

 

[kevingrods]

what does the co2 do for the tank?

 

[zoopkamol]

co2 is just for planted tank
helps with growth of plants.
 
co2 + high light + ferts = lush growth of plant matter
 
if all in good balance ...or possible algea from hell if not

 

[Robbo89]

does adding extra co2 to the water actually affect the fish?
and likewise does adding an air stone to the tank (o2) affect the plants?

 

[coolie]

does adding extra co2 to the water actually affect the fish?
 
                     No, not if controlled carefully via a regulator. There is also a drop checker to help monitor which works by detecting the ph change caused by CO2
and likewise does adding an air stone to the tank (o2) affect the plants?
                     An airstone shouldn't really be necessary for a large tank with surface movement, and can actually be counter productive for plants because high oxygen levels will drive out CO2 which the plants need.
 
Unless you have a specific need to run air stones (like to break up surface protein) I don't think it is helpfull to a planted tank.

 

[coolie]

bttt, just waiting to see if anyone can remember starting out with CO2 and how long before you strat to see results.

 

[Robbo89]

All I know is that the plants are likely to melt. As the change in conditions will shake them around a bit initially.