Over The Counter Co2 Options?

[Ruskull]

Hello! I've been keeping live plants for almost a year now & doing very well with Anubias, Wisteria, Lemon Bacopa & Java Fern. I have been using moderate to high lighting on all 3 of my tanks but no ferts or CO2. Recently I added some more sensitive plants such as various Crypts, Vallis, Stargrass, Polysperma Hygro and some different moss. I want to add some Willow Leaf Hygro too, but I haven't found any yet. I also started adding over the counter liquid ferts until I figure out how to mix my own concoctions.

I was searching around for a quick, inexpensive, plug & play type CO2 system that didn't require huge tanks, regulators, etc. Again, looking for the easy way to get started knowing eventually I will have to step up and get a serious system.

Here's 2 systems I found at Petco.com:

$15.72 Aqua Medic CO2 Reactor 100
Says it's good for up to 65 gallon aquariums

$51.99 Aqua Medic CO2 Reactor 500
Says it's good for up to 125 gallon aquariums

Are either of these any good? The more expensive one looks much better & more rugged but would it be overkill? The price is quite a bit higher than the smaller one too but maybe it's worth it? The tanks I have are listed in my signature and all are moderately planted tanks with good lighting at around 1.72 watts per gallon for the 36 & 2.4 watts per gallon for the 20 highs.

 

[hensonc4098]

The pictures you have put on are just the final stage in the co2 process... You need a whole system behind them to produce the co2 in the first place. These only dissolve the co2 into the water.

 

[Ruskull]

Well now I feel stupid! Thanks. LOL

I guess you get what you pay for so to speak. I do remember seeing a complete CO2 unit available at Petsmart that was supposedly good for up to a 20 gallon. It was like $25 or so but I can't find it on their website anymore.

How is this stuff, does it work?

 

[hensonc4098]

Not sure about the API stuff, but a lot of people choose to use either easycarbo or seachem flourish excel which is a liquid carbon. They aren't quite as good as pressurised co2, and require daily dosing, but are pretty good and plenty of people have managed to get nice tanks from using it.

 

[Ruskull]

Thanks, I think I'll try it then. Just to see if it makes a difference or not. If it does, maybe I'll upgrade to a serious system.

 

[hensonc4098]

Yep. I think easycarbo is only available online, but some places do stock flourish excel.

 

[Ruskull]

2 of my local stores have the Seachem Flourish Excel but it's $15.99 plus tax! The API version is only $10.99 on sale at any Petsmart.

Thanks again.

 

[hensonc4098]

Compared to about £130 for a co2 setup (about $205 at the current exchange rate) it's still pretty cheap

 

[meejo]

Well now I feel stupid! Thanks. LOL

This made my day! I actually laughed out loud, thank you

On another note, I use Flourish Excel, it's worth the few dollars etc

 

[delta]

I have started dosing Flourish Excel in my 200L and I'm pretty certain between that and the upgrade to an external filter I'm seeing an improvement in the plants. If nothing else the BBA I was having a little issue with seems to be going WOOHOO