Planted tank advice needed!

[Tate]

I have a 20 gallon long tank with a 34 watt dual t8 bulb fixture from Lowes with two 6500k bulbs. I plan on setting up a day co2 system. Any tips on this as this is totally new to me. I plan on having one bottle which runs into this 3in1 aquatek bubble counter/check valve/diffuser I found. I have crypts and compacta for now as I want to get used to plants before I totally dive into them. I am putting api root tabs only under the crypts not the compacta. I put cardboard in front of the lights to reflect some into the tank and it seems to work. I will probably eventually hang up the light but I fear for major light loss. This is my current aquascape. Sorry for my long post.

 

[queball98]

Is co2 really needed

 

[Tate]

I want to grow hairgrass so I think co2 will aid in the growth as I only have low lights

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

I basically followed the instructions in this YouTube video with some minor modifications. I used a ceramic diffuser instead and a fluval bubble counter. But the hagen mini elite he made mods to seems like an efficient way to diffuse DIY CO2, since it's a low pressure system.

The best DIY Aquarium Co2 System with bubble coun…: http://youtu.be/xHS6yEDPKSU

Here's the recipe I use:
http://www.aquatic-eden.com/2006/09/diy-co2-recipe-duration-vs-intensity.html?m=1

Tips: take extra care to drill a hole just right for the tubing outer diameter. Seal with silicone and tape. Otherwise you may have a leak and it's super frustrating to track the leak down to the point you'll just want to give up and buy a pressurized system.

 

[Tate]

Thanks for the video I will get to watching it for sure. How does the aquatek 3-in-1 fair? Worth buying?

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

Not sure.. never used it.

 

[Tate]

I actually watched that same video earlier today. I was thinking with the 3-in-1 I wouldn't have to make the second bubble counter jar would I?

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

Probably not. Just as long as you have a bubble counter so it acts as a "gas separator" to help prevent yeast seepage.