CO2 and/or Flourish

[skywhitney]

I've been debating to set up a CO2 system for my planted tank but I was also looking into using flourish (I've heard good things about it). Can/or should I use these two together or will it just lead to problems?

I have a 10g tank with a T5 15W single bulb (I know I need to upgrade my lighting, I'm looking into what the best option there is too). The plants I have are Anacharis, Willow Moss, and Java Fern.

 

[aqua_chem]

Im pretty sure you mean T8. I don't think they make a 15w T5.

Excel and co2 are complementary. On a 10g, a DIY co2 system may very well cover your needs.

 

[skywhitney]

Im pretty sure you mean T8. I don't think they make a 15w T5.

Excel and co2 are complementary. On a 10g, a DIY co2 system may very well cover your needs.

It is in fact a T8. so the diy should be sufficient?

 

[aqua_chem]

Probably. The T8 isnt going to require co2, so any co2 you add is going to be purely beneficial. Whether it can hold 20-30 ppm levels is another question should you choose to get higher light (and it may very well hold that level).

I would definitely consider getting a drop checker though.

 

[skywhitney]

I would definitely consider getting a drop checker though.

What does a drop checker do?

 

[aqua_chem]

It provides a crude way to measure co2 dissolved. It turns blue if you have too little co2, green for good levels, and yellow for high levels.

 

[skywhitney]

Oh ok, thanks for the suggestion! I'll definitely have to get one of those.

Do you know if the flourish would be worth getting? I saw the dosing directions and since they are for a 60g i'm thinking i'd have to monitor it very close, any advise there?

 

[aqua_chem]

You can scale it down for a smaller tank. Either estimating in the cap or a little plastic syringe will do the job.