1HellerofaGuy
Aquarium Advice Regular
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2017
- Messages
- 51
This is all very helpful info. Thank you so much for all your time and input!The pros of the cartridge kit are that it is a complete set to get you started and you can get 2 cartridges for like 12 bucks. Also, down the road you can get the "Hydra Aquatic CO2 Paintball Adapter" which will allow you to use the much larger (24oz+) paintball tanks that you can refill at sporting good store.
https://www.amazon.com/Umarex-22525...e=UTF8&qid=1491347828&sr=8-1&keywords=88g+co2
https://www.amazon.com/Hydra-Aquati...rd_wg=WjAHY&psc=1&refRID=21MJB4WY4S8B8T50B6G9
The downside is that there is no solenoid. Having a solenoid attached to or integrated with the regulator allows you to turn off the flow of co2 with a timer. When your light is off at night you do not need co2. If you run this 24hr/day on a 55 gal you may run through co2 cartridges pretty quick. Also, when co2 tanks run empty they put out more flow than usual and so you end up tinkering with the flowrate a bit, and the flow valve on this type of regulator is touchy.
I was just looking for an all in one kit for you, but it's not easy to keep the price down. Here is a $90 regulator with solenoid which includes a bubble counter (you use this to see how much co2 is flowing), but you will need to add the co2 tank ($20) and a diffuser ($6). So here you are in it for $116, $46 more than the one you're looking at but it may be more reasonable in the long term.
https://www.amazon.com/AQUATEK-OF-C...&qid=1491348928&sr=8-15&keywords=aquarium+co2
https://www.amazon.com/Empire-Paint...qid=1491348439&sr=8-1&keywords=paintball+tank
https://www.amazon.com/Yagote-Nano-...8928&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=aquarium+co2&psc=1
You may be okay keeping a low flow (1-2 bubbles per second) with cartridge kit when used with liquid co2 in a low medium light situation, I think another poster said the finnex is dimmable.
This has just been my experience for entry level co2 options, and these are just some ideas for your consideration. I'm sure others will chime in with some other useful ideas.
I hear good things about the finnex light and it'll mount easily to your 55 unlike the light I started with.
Consider researching substrate such as EcoComplete and fertilizing plans such as EI dosing. Barr Report, Planted Tank, Uk plant society, all good sources for reference. You may be interested in learning how to calculate your co2 levels based on alkalinity (kH) and with a drop checker. ...test kits are useful.
I have ordered some Eco-complete substrate. I currently am using a sand substrate. Should I clean all the sand out before adding the new substrate?