Thinking Of Ei Dosing

[scottca]

Hi All,

I was thinking about EI Dosing to help my plants a little, I have a 180litre planted tank, just over 2wpg. My plants are going well at the minute, I did try a DIY Co2 solution however i couldnt get the supply regular so was having frequent algae outbreaks. I have since stopped adding Co2 and the plants are still doing well but was thinking of maybe considering running with some EI dosing to give them an extra bit of help

Does EI work without Co2 ? I have not really got the money to go full Co2 yet, I will in future but was wondering as half way point, would I be able to dose EI and would it have any affect?

Thanks,

Craig

 

[garuf]

you probably could, but I would suggest it's not a good idea.

A more sensible solution would be to reduce the light until you can afford pressurised then up lights once you're stable.

 

[scottca]

Thanks Garuf,

I quoted approx 2wpg, but i actually have just over 1wpg but with T5 tubes, am i correct in thinking that 1w of T5 is more than 1w in the wpg calculation (I hope that makes sense)

does it start to become detramental having too much light without co2 ?

Thanks,

Craig

 

[garuf]

Yes most definitely, fluctuating and low levels of co2 are the bane of planted tanks. Almost all algae can be tracked back to co2 being insufficient.

 

[scottca]

ah ok, at some point ill go co2 then - I dont suppose you have heard anything about the kits on ebay ?

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/CO2-Complete-System-...1QQcmdZViewItem

They are fairly cheap and come with pretty much everything ! downside is the bottle needs refilling and is not disposable, and im not sure of anywhere near me that will refill them.

 

[garuf]

I use that kit, except I use a diffuser rather than the reactor that came with it.
Excellent value for money.

 

[Themuleous]

Those kits are excellent, but you are right about the cylinder, most places will only refill JBL cylinders. However there is a cheap alternative and thats fire extinguishers. There is a link in my sig to a guide to using FE for co2, by far the cheapest method I've found to date. I would also be tempted to DIY a co2 kit and save yourself some cash.

FYI I run my co2 24/7 with no problems, but some people like to turn it off at night to give the fish a rest of it, but you dont have to.

Sam

 

[scottca]

Im a little worried about using the fire extinguisher method

Garuf, where do you get yours refilled ?

I already have a ceramic diffuser and drop checker etc for when i tried my DIY solution (using a yeast based mix) so thats that bit covered if i get it

 

[garuf]

I use a fire extinguisher...

 

[scottca]

ahh ok,

I have found a local lfs that will refill the bottle, but they have said they need it overnight as they have to virtually freeze the bottle first ? They also have said as long as its a standard international fitting

Do you know if that bottle / fitting would be standard? Would it also harm if when the co2 was running out, i took it out for 24 / 48 hours while I got it refilled?

Thanks,

Craig

 

[garuf]

I used to refill paintball tanks at work and the bottle used to freeze that could be what they meant.

It's a standard fitting, fire extinguishers wouldn't work on them other wise.

 

[scottca]

Excellent Thanks Garuf - Looks like ill be trying to purchase shortly

 

[Themuleous]

Don't be scared of FE's, they are no more dangerous than another pressured cylinder. A bit of common sense is all that is needed
Sam

 

[manwithnofish]

So, if I don't have or want to do the CO2, I should not do the EI dosing? If I want to run low lights 1.5 w/g, so that I don't have to do CO2, is there any need to dose any ferts (I have Eco-Complete)

 

[garuf]

yes, there will almost always be a need unless you do the Diana walstead way, 0 waterchanges etc. The difference is that ferts will run out far less quickly so you dose less, less often. the plants needs don't change, just the quantities of nutrients needed.

Even with 1.5wpg I would run co2, its always going to be helpful. That's just my opinion though it's not gospel.