Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by AquaRolla on August 26, 2011 at 10:06pm

It is recommended to turn it off the Co2 during night time. specially when

it comes to smaller tanks that are planted.Plus save the money when the plants actually need the Co2 during the day time.

 

It is also recommended to have an air stone pumping to keep it safe for your fish.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rich bob on August 27, 2011 at 12:31am

ok i see, but how can i turn it off when it's a DIY co2 generator? Is it bad to leave it on? Have a 30 gallon, only 4 tetras in it for now, and 5 different types of plants.

 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by 2apes2gp667wr on August 27, 2011 at 9:16am

No way to turn off DIY CO2.  I leave mine on all the time, but I don't do DIY.  Check the pH in the morning before the lights come on.  If it is in a dangerously low zone I would look into a pressurized system where you can control on/off.  If pH is pretty safe I would just leave it on and not worry about it.  But that's the chance you take with the DIY method, you don't know how much CO2 you are putting in.  What plants do you have?  Running CO2 is really only neccessary if you have too much lighting and it's causing algae.  My advice, if you really want to go CO2, go pressurized.  A beginner setup is probably around $150 online.  Just make sure you can get a tank and have a place to fill it before you buy it.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rich bob on August 27, 2011 at 1:12pm

ok, thanks for the info. There is a reason why i did a DIY co2 system, because the pressurized is pretty expensive. I'm thinking probably not even worth buying it. I only know the names of two kinds of plants: Amazon Sword and Peacock Fern, the other 3 I got from my friend and dont know what kind they are.

 

thanx again.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by brosaquaticuniverse on August 31, 2011 at 8:20pm

yeah co2 is tricky. its definantly not for beginners, because there's alot of things to consider. if your running diy co2 you can't turn it off. and your best bet would be to run an air stone at night because it will help stabilize your ph and at night plants use oxygen instead of co2 so it can actually be harmful for your plants. now this all sometimes. i ran diy co2 with no airstones all the time cuz my tanks are in my room but i decided it was just easier and probably better to do no co2. and really its not a monsterous difference between diy and no co2 so i chose no co2. maybe if i had the money to spare for pressurized but still thats extra work money time and effort that takes away the relaxation of my hobby so i choose not to.

o yeah i was gunna say to on way that i got away from using an airstone was surface aggitation which causes gas exchange so that co2 goes out and o2 goes in. if you got more questions id be happy to help or if you just want me to elaberate. 

• ▶ Reply