2 questions co2 and plants

[aquanaut]

Hello


OK diy co2 is keeping up with demand so I had a 20 lb cylinder and filled it with co2. I have a regulator ( prob not the right kind ) but, what pressure should it be set at ? I dont have a solonoid yet, can I use a valve and manually do ? Do I run 1/4 tubing direct or through some sort of orafice ?


Next I see some beautiful tanks with ground covering plants... what are some good ones to use?

29 gallon moderately planted 2x96 watt CF Flourite base w gravel top layer.


thank you all

 

[travis simonson]

You will need a needle valve to limit the flow of CO2 from your regulator. Normal regulators do not have the fine adjustment necessary to dispense the minute trickle of CO2 that a planted tank requires. There is a CO2 sticky here in the Plant forums and here's another link to more information on CO2 and needle valves:

http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/CO2/solenoid.html#4

 

[mr funktastic]

are u running 184 watts on your tank!!!! thast like 10 watts per gallon once u do the conversion of cf lighting. thats insane. i thought lonewolf was bad for alot of light lol

 

[travis simonson]

Good point mr funktastic That is an incredible amount of light (if accurate) and will make it hard to keep things balanced in your tank.

 

[malkore]

Agreed, remove one bulb. 96w is plenty for a 29gal.

psi going into the aquarium is usually around 4psi. This is why you need a quality needle valve...even a good regulator is only gonna get down to 10-15psi and still hold stable. Needle valve lets you dial it down precisely.

 

[PrettyFishies]

I chose glossostigma elantoides - I think they will look great and I have riccia fluitans - not a groundcover plant because it needs to be attached to rock or wood, but I am growing the glosso around the rock so it looks like it just rises up from it...