Pressurised Co2 Kit Advice

[Chtheo]

Hi there,

I have recently inherited a pressurised co2 kit, IT is a big ol' co2 canister with a solenoid regulator and bubblecounter/ceramique difuser.

This is all quite new to me, and i was wondering if anyone could help?

Im used to the spray can equivilent, not this.

Basically what i would like to know is:

Is it better to have it on a little bit, but all day or once every now and then?

Secondly what would be an appropriate bubbles per minute for my 60l tank (60x30x36/24x12x15)

It's heavily planted.

Also, by using one of these kits will i want to supplement oxygen on lights out?

Thank you

 

[FishFanatic04]

Consistent co2 is very important. Most people use a timer to have it switch on and off at the same time everyday...this includes your lighting. Start with 1 bubble and then increase a tiny bit each day until you reach a lime green on your drop checker.

I like to turn on my co2 Two hours before my lights and I have it set to turn off an hour before the lights go off to use it up. No need to add oxygen.

 

[Chtheo]

Consistent co2 is very important. Most people use a timer to have it switch on and off at the same time everyday...this includes your lighting. Start with 1 bubble and then increase a tiny bit each day until you reach a lime green on your drop checker.

I like to turn on my co2 Two hours before my lights and I have it set to turn off an hour before the lights go off to use it up. No need to add oxygen.

brilliant, thanks, what is a drop checker? stupid question, but liek i said.. im new to this kind of CO2

-- I take the question back just googled.

I dont have one yet, but i will purchase before using the kit
Thanks!

 

[FishFanatic04]

Don't forget to get the 4dkh solution. A lot of them say to just use tank water..but that's not accurate . there is a thread on drop checkers in the Parc section/ planted. Im on my phone so i cant get u the link right now

Got my 4dkh on ebay cheap. good luck with it all

 

[Chtheo]

thanks,

I have been looking into these over the last little while, to me they look a lot like a ph test... could i not simply use that? (i say this as i have a ph test kit, and not one of these fancy drop checkers!)

just an idea, obviously i want to do it right, but i dont see the point spending money if i already have something that will do the job

 

[Ps3Steveo]

DC's are better as they stay in the tank letting you know your levels constantly.

 

[FishFanatic04]

^^ What he said. I got mine really cheap on ebay.

 

[Chtheo]

oh! so i leave it in there permenantly? I must admit i figured it was a one hit thing u put it in there for x amount of time etc.

I have done some PH checks (Morning before CO2, Lunchtime with CO2, and just now!) which are at a stable 6.6 (according to my scale fromt he API Test kit, thats not lime green, but very green... 6.4 is lime green)

I may very well get one of these kits then, as doing ph tests can be a bit of a hassle!

Thanks!

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