franci19
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2016
- Messages
- 17
So I set up at 5.5 planted tank first time doing one , got everything set up but I don't know how long should I be leaving the co2 on for or how much I need to use of it pl
Like champ said, you really need a drop checker and ideally a bubble counter to measure how much CO2 is being added to your tank and how much is actually being dissolved into the water. Too much CO2 can drop your pH and be dangerous for fish and invertebrates. You don't want CO2 running at night when the plants aren't using it. I have mine on a timer to come on 2 hrs before my lights turn on, and off 2 hrs before my lights go off. That way it gives time for the CO2 to absorb into the water so your plants are immediately able to use it for photosynthesis when the lights come on, and then those 2 hours at the end of the photoperiod enable you to conserve co2 while it's still in the water for the plants to use before it dissipates. If you're short on timers though, just putting it the same schedule as the light will suffice.
Thank you and do you know where I could a bubble counter
Really nice tank. They are all fairly similar imo. Look at the fluval or isa they are pretty popular. Just poke around. Youll see a style you like. Some are glass some are plastic.View attachment 291680
This is my set up right now