Je55*e

Here's the link to the product, so you know what I'm talking about:
http://www.bigalsonline.com/StoreCat...Type=0&offset=

I'm worried it's not working correctly, but I'm not sure, because this is my first time using it, let alone any Co2.

No bubbles come out of the pump, it looks like sugar (like the sugar and yeast that came with the product for the canister). It doesn't spout constantly, just has bursts of this sugary-looking stuff every so often. Is it malfunctioning? What can I do, if so?

Je55*e

Also (mods, if you want this is a new thread, let me know), I have a lot of green, goopy algal-looking detritus covering my sand. I have a 65w coralife light over a 20g tank. The plants I have are 2 red ozelots, red ludwigia, green cabomba, purple cabomba (not looking too good, so I may remove it), scarlet temple, and dwarf lilies.

Is my lighting too strong, and causing the plants to produce the goopy stuff? I thought it needed to be rather high for plants with red in them. Or, is the possibly malfunctioning Co2 system to blame?

Franklin

I personally use pressurized CO2,and what I can tell you from my set up,which is very different from yours,is that the CO2 should be coming out in a gas form.It should be coming out in little bubbles.I think with DIY systems,which that one is similair to,that the CO2 is sometimes run through a fine air stone to difuse it in the water.It sound like your mixture is coming out rather than the gas.I am not sure how to fix it,but it definetly sounds like something is not right with it.

Franklin

Do you have a pic of the algae?It sounds like cyano bacteria,which is a pain to get rid of.
You need to cut back on your WPG of lighting,or upgrade to pressurized CO2,and use dry ferts,if you want to keep that light.
What kind of ferts are you using now?

djbrist

That doesn't sound healthy for your tank, I would yank it if you haven't already. I don't know much about as I am just learning CO2 also, I'm sure someone will post good helpful info.

Je55*e

I have laterite mixed in with the sand, and I put in flourish excel and flourish iron every other day or so. I also have seachem flourish tabs in the sand.

What is pressurized Co2?

Franklin

Pressurized CO2 is when you have a bottle with compressed CO2 in it that is released through a pressure regulator and through some kind of diffuser into your tank.It sounds like you are overdosing your tank with ferts.This is most likely the reason for the algae growth.

Je55*e

Thank you for your help.
Can you suggest a good product to buy for pressurized Co2 if I can't get this one working?

Je55*e

Thanks again!

soldieroffortune1974

I would agree it sounds like the mixture for CO2 is coming out of the diffuser. The yeaqst mixture wont hurt anything and the fish will probably nibble on it,but it wont hurt them. 2 possible reasons is over filling the charge,with not enough room for expansion,and in the pic I don't see an overflow bottle.The overflow is what catches the excess mixture when it iis overfilled. You can add your own overflow bottle by adding an empty bottle with tubing running to the original.

see this DIY set up.I use the same system and it works excellently and doesn't cost near as much.

CO2 Generator

Je55*e

^I didn't get the link for your DIY set-up, but I'd really like to see it! The set-up I have didn't come with an overflow bottle, but adding one sounds like a good idea. It doesn't matter the size, or what the bottle is made of?
Thanks for your help.

soldieroffortune1974

>>>>>> CO2 Generator <<<<<<< this link

It doesnt matter what kind or what size bottle for the overflow as long as it has a good lid. I use a gatorade bottle,and a 20oz coke bottle for overflow

Je55*e

Ah, now it shows up above too. Could be my browser. Thanks.

Nate McFin

Great looking tank! Is it yours? What is the lighting system for the tank?

Franklin

3.2 wpg,pressurized CO2.

xVitox

just a thought add a check valve to your line...you can get that at any LFS store itll keep any liquid from leaving via the airstone