Michigan Cichlid Association
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: rcombs on December 04, 2013, 07:32:36 PM
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I have a question that I am sure many will be interested to learn about. I want to run CO2 on one of my tanks. Ive always wanted to try this. Too much, fish die. Just the right amount, plants flourish. I want to add it on my 40 gallon tank. First I may try on a 10 gallon tank with 20 cent goldfish for a month just to get it down. How do you do it and how do you know enough is enough?
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I have a question that I am sure many will be interested to learn about. I want to run CO2 on one of my tanks. Ive always wanted to try this. Too much, fish die. Just the right amount, plants flourish. I want to add it on my 40 gallon tank. First I may try on a 10 gallon tank with 20 cent goldfish for a month just to get it down. How do you do it and how do you know enough is enough?
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I'd check out the Barr Report
http://www.barrreport.com/forumdisplay.php/6-CO2-Enrichment?s=ac126463f0589f554c60378b36f20b95
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dont goldfish pick at plants?
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dont goldfish pick at plants?
Not to sure. I will use Rosies to be safe.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS2zD5z0L4w
What do you think?
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About what the idea or the creepy dude in the video?
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About what the idea or the creepy dude in the video?
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Both lol
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A lot of people do co2 that way. Cheaper I guess. Guy needs to shave that mustache
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CO2 is fun to experiment with.
I have used CO2. The cheapest method is mixing a packet of yeast and 6 cups of sugar in a coke bottle. Drill a hole in the top. Then seal a 1/4inch tube through the top to a one way check valve. Then run the top into the tank. This will bring a 10gallon pH to about 6.5 from Detroit city water. The pH will drop to 6 or below, if the CO2 hose goes directly into the external canister filter. The pump on the filter will crush the CO2 and lower the pH more. However, try not to drop the pH below 7 for the health of the fish.
Another way is to use a CO2 tank. I have tried a few different systems. I have concluded that CO2 is fun to experiment with, but I do not think it makes the plants grow faster or healthier.
After talking with plant specialist, substrate and lighting seem to be more important. River muck is the substrate that the specialist are using. Then sand is put over the river mock. I think river muck is great, but I do not like the appearance of it. So, I use iron laterite from amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002566U6/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I mix a handful of laterite per 10 gallons with fine sand. I get the fine sand at home depot for $3.00 for 50 lbs. I'll post pictures of a 10 gallon I experiment, if you'd like to see it. Long story short, CO2 is dangerous and it did not show any considerable difference in plant growth. In my opinion it is not worth losing the fish, when there is no noticeable difference aside from the pH.
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If you didnt see any difference in plant growth, did you at least see the difference in plant health? I would def be interested in seeing the pics of your 10 gallon. As far as the PH goes, I ordered some expensive substrate to help buffer it at a higher level. I have crushed puka shell. So I will have a little bit more room to play with when I figure out how to make it successful on a 10 gallon tank first. Some people I have seen online, swear it excels plant health and growth, while others say it does not make a difference. Makes me wonder why so many mixed reviews. Is one not dosing enough?
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My understanding is that CO2 definitely helps plant growth, but you have to ensure that there are enough nutrients and light for the plants to take advantage of it.
Aquascapers like Amano get spectacular results with it, but they are doing daily doses of fertilizers and using really high-tech lighting gear.
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I did not notice any healthier plants with the use of CO2. I stopped using it. If anyone want to try CO2, I'll trade a regulator for a 55 gallon hexagon tank.
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I take a stray and blow into the tank with it on and off through out the day. Not only is it good for the plants its good for my lungs too!
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Hi guys,
I posted pics of a 10 gallon planted tank in general discussion.
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Nice planted 10. I am going to do a planted 10 with cherry red shrimp. Will be running by end of day, shrimp come in tomorrow. Also, the DIY CO2= Success. My plants have become so green they look fake. The tiny tiny bit of algae I had has subsided. For some reason fish look happier. IDK if it has anything to do with it or not, but two days after I started CO2, Spawning was triggered. Probably just coincidence.