co2

[USMCfishcrzy]

Wat is the difference between co2 injection and the co2 fish breathe

 

[BigJim]

There's no difference. CO2 injection is used as a carbon source for plants when your fish aren't exhaling enough to keep nutrient levels in balance.

 

[USMCfishcrzy]

So if I have enough fish I don't need injection?

 

[mfdrookie516]

No, its not like that. Your tank will have about 7ppm co2 without injecting any. When you inject co2, you get it to somewhere between 30-40ppm. This lets the plants out-compete the algae. Without co2 in a high light tank, you'll have a mess of several kinds of algae.

 

[BigJim]

mfd nailed it. A heavy fish load helps to a small degree, but it's not a replacement for CO2 injection on a high-light tank.

 

[USMCfishcrzy]

Does the diy system really work???

 

[mfdrookie516]

On smaller tanks, yes. On anything over 30 gallons, its really a hassle to get consistent co2... and inconsistency once again spells algae.

 

[USMCfishcrzy]

So wat is going to be a good priced system for a 125g

 

[mfdrookie516]

You're looking at anywhere from $150-300+ depending on what you buy, what you DIY, and what you decide you don't want. pH controllers are going to push you on up towards that $300+. Just a simple setup with a regulator, cylinder, DIY reactor, and drop checker, you're looking at about $150

 

[USMCfishcrzy]

Is there complete systems I can buy

 

[mfdrookie516]

There are, but those are the ones that cost more... you can get a regulator/solenoid/needle valve/bubble counter/co2 tubing combo at eseasongear.com for $89. That's what I got. Then the cylinder you can get on amazon or kegerator.com for about $50... then the drop checker you can get on ebay for a couple dollars. The reactor you can make youself out of PVC for just the cost of the PVC pieces.

 

[USMCfishcrzy]

I just got my light so how soon is this going to be needed. When will it be a must

 

[mfdrookie516]

The sooner the better IMO

 

[USMCfishcrzy]

Is 12k to bright for my lights

 

[USMCfishcrzy]

My plants

 

[Crepe]

12k isn't a unit of light intensity. We need wattage and light output type: T5 fluorescent, Metal halide. power compact etc. 12k refers to the color of the bulb. This color isn't optimal for plant growth. I suggest anywhere from 6000-10000k for plants.

 

[USMCfishcrzy]

The light is a power compact. 4x96w. When I bought it. The add said 10k. But come to find out they are 2 12k and 2 actinic bulbs. Are my plants going to be ok or should I get some new bulbs?

 

[BigJim]

The actinic bulbs won't do your plants any good. Replace the actinics with something in the 6500K-10000K range. The 12000K bulbs are a bit on the blue end of things, but they should be ok.

 

[USMCfishcrzy]

Will the 12k help my plants???