CO2...again
- Thread starter Kissyboots
- Start date
Ok, so I should be fine with the one I have? Is yours perhaps a "CO2 resistant" one or just simple plastic? I got mine free when I bought the bubble wand at aquariumguys so I'm not sure if it would be ok to use with CO2.
An update on the rest: I probably will have to wait until February to get all this. With my mom and the whole "don't take money out of the bank" thing, I'm going to have to wait until I get cash, probably my birthday. So I'll keep looking, but I won't be getting anythign anytime soon.
Haha, I kind of wish I had another year of high school. Then at least I would be able to enjoy my plants instead of seeing them 2-4 times a month.
An update on the rest: I probably will have to wait until February to get all this. With my mom and the whole "don't take money out of the bank" thing, I'm going to have to wait until I get cash, probably my birthday. So I'll keep looking, but I won't be getting anythign anytime soon.
Haha, I kind of wish I had another year of high school. Then at least I would be able to enjoy my plants instead of seeing them 2-4 times a month.
I didn't read all of it, since I've apparently have alot of threads to catch up from last week...;
You can use the plastic check valves, overtime though, they'll get brittle and break. It takes quite a while though, so no worries. Some regulators come with check valves already installed. Orlando can help you there, he's an awesome fellow to deal with. He also has CO2 proof tubing. I'm currently using some of that black 'stealth' tubing from petco, though.
for a diffusor, what I use is an Elite Mini filter, it's ridiculously effective.
You can use the plastic check valves, overtime though, they'll get brittle and break. It takes quite a while though, so no worries. Some regulators come with check valves already installed. Orlando can help you there, he's an awesome fellow to deal with. He also has CO2 proof tubing. I'm currently using some of that black 'stealth' tubing from petco, though.
for a diffusor, what I use is an Elite Mini filter, it's ridiculously effective.
5# Tank ($58.94) - Catalina CO2 5 lb New Aluminum Cylinder Tank - eBay (item 150320010401 end time Jan-18-09 05:10:51 PST)
Regulator w/ bubble counter ($71.98) - NEW CO2 Regulator Solenoid and FREE Bubble Counter - eBay (item 230319085898 end time Jan-21-09 18:46:56 PST)
Diffuser (Around $10) - Hagen Elite Mini Underwater Filter at PETCO
Is that regulator any good? What about the "free" bubble counter that comes with it?
Also, still on the lookout for CO2 resistant tubing...
I'm down to around $140 now!
Regulator w/ bubble counter ($71.98) - NEW CO2 Regulator Solenoid and FREE Bubble Counter - eBay (item 230319085898 end time Jan-21-09 18:46:56 PST)
Diffuser (Around $10) - Hagen Elite Mini Underwater Filter at PETCO
Is that regulator any good? What about the "free" bubble counter that comes with it?
Also, still on the lookout for CO2 resistant tubing...
I'm down to around $140 now!
Depends on what kind of set up you want, with the milwaukee you have a built in bubble counter which is nice for fine adjustments, also with the solenoid you can hook up a pH meter and have a more constante level of CO2 in the tank. When the pH drops more at night from plants not using CO2 the solenoid shuts off the CO2 untill the pH comes back up.
More costly but a better setup i think
More costly but a better setup i think
Ok, it's a little over $30 more, but at least now I can narrow down my search.
And a questions about the diffuser: Emman suggested I get that underwater filter instead of an actuall diffuser. Has anyone else tried this before? Does it hold up longer/ work better than a normal diffuser? Any info is appreciated.
(Btw, I convinced my mom I saved up enough money, which I kind of have. That's why I'm continuing my search again.)
And a questions about the diffuser: Emman suggested I get that underwater filter instead of an actuall diffuser. Has anyone else tried this before? Does it hold up longer/ work better than a normal diffuser? Any info is appreciated.
(Btw, I convinced my mom I saved up enough money, which I kind of have
. That's why I'm continuing my search again.)Well with diffusers you have the most choices. First what type of filtration are you running? and this is on your 55? if you have a canister filter you have the best choices for diffusion.
You want very high surface to volume ratio, ,which means tiny bubbles, and you want a long durrion time of the bubble in the water so it can diffuse.
Personly this is the best thing for diffusing CO2 Reactor 1000 the output from you canister filter goes in the top then out the botom then into the tank. Bubbles are forced in through the top also, the bubble want to float up while the water flows downward plus with the balls to chop up the bubble makes for a great diffuser.
You can use any pump really just cheaper if you already have a canister
You want very high surface to volume ratio, ,which means tiny bubbles, and you want a long durrion time of the bubble in the water so it can diffuse.
Personly this is the best thing for diffusing CO2 Reactor 1000 the output from you canister filter goes in the top then out the botom then into the tank. Bubbles are forced in through the top also, the bubble want to float up while the water flows downward plus with the balls to chop up the bubble makes for a great diffuser.
You can use any pump really just cheaper if you already have a canister
I have a Penguin 350B I think, so no canister.
Also, I just came across a 5# tank with a miwaukee regulator on craigslist a couple days ago for $90!!! I haven't received a response yet, but I think it's in pretty new condition. I don't have pics yet because they hadn't posted any.
On a side note, I was told somewhere else that I would need around 5 watts per gallon for the CO2 to really work. Is this true? If it is, I only have 30 watts for 55 gallons and can't get any higher because all the bulbs are the wrong size and simply too expensive!
Any ideas?
Also, I just came across a 5# tank with a miwaukee regulator on craigslist a couple days ago for $90!!! I haven't received a response yet, but I think it's in pretty new condition. I don't have pics yet because they hadn't posted any.
On a side note, I was told somewhere else that I would need around 5 watts per gallon for the CO2 to really work. Is this true? If it is, I only have 30 watts for 55 gallons and can't get any higher because all the bulbs are the wrong size and simply too expensive!
Any ideas?
What they were trying to tell you is plants will only use the amount of CO2 they need. The issue is that with low light your plants are not going to growing very fast and therefore will not need much CO2. Seems like if you are going through all this effort to set up a nice CO2 system you should really upgrade your lighting to more them .5watts per gallon. Depending on what you want to grow you should try for atleast around 2watts to make full use of the CO2
T5's are a good way to go, you can get a retro fit kit for a decent price that you can mount in a simple hood, not sure what you have now or if it would mount to what you have.
My tank now i have DIY CO2 with 2watts per gallon and my plants grow pretty fast considering they all are failry slow growing type plants.
T5's are a good way to go, you can get a retro fit kit for a decent price that you can mount in a simple hood, not sure what you have now or if it would mount to what you have.
My tank now i have DIY CO2 with 2watts per gallon and my plants grow pretty fast considering they all are failry slow growing type plants.
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Kissy,
The bulbs are not the issue, if you are using the "stock" fixture you can not put HO bulbs in them even if they did fit, you wont have the proper ballast. Look into lighting on ebay there are some good deals there I bought my 260w fixture for like 60 used, it came with 4 bulbs, I replaced the 2 actinic bulbs for daylights and purchased the bulbs for $11 each off an Ebay store. These same bulbs cost $50 to $70 locally.
I am no plant expert but I dont think .5 watts is going to do anything at all. You have to figure a bit of that is going to get lost before it even reachs the plants, leaving you with .25wpg or less. I think even low light will need more than that, but wait for some other responses.
The bulbs are not the issue, if you are using the "stock" fixture you can not put HO bulbs in them even if they did fit, you wont have the proper ballast. Look into lighting on ebay there are some good deals there I bought my 260w fixture for like 60 used, it came with 4 bulbs, I replaced the 2 actinic bulbs for daylights and purchased the bulbs for $11 each off an Ebay store. These same bulbs cost $50 to $70 locally.
I am no plant expert but I dont think .5 watts is going to do anything at all. You have to figure a bit of that is going to get lost before it even reachs the plants, leaving you with .25wpg or less. I think even low light will need more than that, but wait for some other responses.
This? Amazon.com: Coralife Double Aqualight 48" 260w (4 x 65w) 6700k Aquarium Strip Light: Kitchen & Dining
I can't use that with the lids I have, right?
I can't use that with the lids I have, right?