Co2 Setup

So I'll be starting the DSM for my Monte Carlo when i'm home from school. My plan is to do the DSM for 6-8 weeks then add water. I'm planning on using co2. Here are some of the things I plan on using.


or

Then for a diffuser

And for a bubble counter


Does this sound good for a 10 gallon and maybe going to a 20g?

 

That will work well!

 

That will work well!

Do you think it matters if I use the more expensive one or the cheaper version ?

 

Has lot has you can get the proper Ppm into the tank then it shouldn’t matter. But hey both look well made and should work equally good

 

Has lot has you can get the proper Ppm into the tank then it shouldn’t matter. But hey both look well made and should work equally good

Is this also good or should I stay away from kits

 

That kit can easily do a 20 gallon and looks good. Your going to want to seal he top of the tank with something exept for a tiny gap so the co2 dosnt just leaves

 

That kit can easily do a 20 gallon and looks good. Your going to want to seal he top of the tank with something exept for a tiny gap so the co2 dosnt just leaves

 

That kit can easily do a 20 gallon and looks good. Your going to want to seal he top of the tank with something exept for a tiny gap so the co2 dosnt just leaves

would lid work. Also what light do you recommend that isn't too expensive?

 

CO2 will leave regardless if there's a lid or not. You'll also need a drop checker so you know how much you're injecting. For a 10 gallon or 20 gallon long look into beamswork lights

 

CO2 will leave regardless if there's a lid or not. You'll also need a drop checker so you know how much you're injecting. For a 10 gallon or 20 gallon long look into beamswork lights

Will it be powerful enough for a 10gal and growing a full carpet of mc and other plants?

 

Will it be powerful enough for a 10gal and growing a full carpet of mc and other plants?

Yes, the 10 gallon isn't very tall so the light will have a better reach at the bottom. Difficult plants may have trouble, but monte carlo isn't very hard to grow.

 

Yes, the 10 gallon isn't very tall so the light will have a better reach at the bottom. Difficult plants may have trouble, but monte carlo isn't very hard to grow.

Ok so I could just buy a cheap light and it will work ?

 

You need soemthing in the 6500k range. I use floodlights when dsm my plants

 

Ok so I could just buy a cheap light and it will work ?

I still needs to be strong enough for carpeting plants such as MC.

 

I still needs to be strong enough for carpeting plants such as MC.

Okay I’m going to get lights now. I heard that for mc it’s better to just lay it in the substrate rather than planting them is this true ?

 

This is how I planted it. And ignore the pink I haven’t painted my new room yet.

 

I would try to tuck the roots into the substrate.

 

I would try to tuck the roots into the substrate.

I think I’ll just sprinkle them out then add in another pot of MC tomorrow. And this is the light I got

 

Hey all,

New to the forum, but a long time hobbist. I'm currently working on a project that's relatively new to me. I have a 225 gallon CA Cichlid tank that I'm adding more live plants into, as well as introducing a CO2 system.

The vast majority of what I've worked with or read on CO2 systems has been for smaller aquariums that are predominantly flora rather than fauna. That being said I'm completely clueless as to what equipment would be the best option for an aquarium of the size I'm working with.

Ideally I'd like to set up a compressed system with a pH check valve to control the flow and be able to hold my CO2 to 15-18 without having to make frequent adjustments. Price isn't an issue, and I expect unless I want to be changing out half a dozen canisters on a frequent basis that it'll require going with tanks of C02 and a valve system to control it.

What I'd like from you is specific systems that have worked well for you in similar setups, and any particular recommendations for the most efficient and non-labor intensive route to accomplish this.

 

For 225.gal you will need at least 20.lb co2 Cylinder with large co2 active reactor unfortunately largest you going to find be up to 160.gal unless you will make home made also atomic inline co2 atomizer diffuser will work well. Timer and co2 regulator with solenoid will be needed as well for automated system all items are available on Amazon

New equipment update, Dossing Fertilizer Pump

• Zigi Zig
• Aug 3, 2018

 

Thanks for the reply!

So given that limitations are a maximum of 160gl, would it be advisable to attempt to run twotwo syst simultaneously? My thought is that it would be simple enough to hold the aquarium at the right CO2 concentration. Given that after rocks, built I'm filter, and sand I'm probably close to 200 gallons or water, two systems rated with 100gl in their range, or two 160gl could work could provide the proper output. Now this does double the cost of the set up, but if I did something like that, is it possible to run them through the same regulator?

As well, I've read about options that instead of using a timer shut themselves off and on based on pH levels in the aquarium. Is this misinformation or just not as much of a viable option?

 

Two system will work fine you can use two active reactors on each side of your tank, you still can use only one 20.lb cylinder but you will need co2 2 way regulator splitter

What kind of filtration do you have?

 

Awesome. Definitely going to invest in the splitter.

The filtration system I have is a built in waterfall/sump. I can't get a good picture of it at at the moment. But it's roughly the back quarter of the tank separated by acrylic. Water drains into one end into a tube with heaters to direct water flow based on temperature and then rising up over a wall to fall over a combination of foam and bio-balls them through under another wall to be pumped back into the main plrport of the tank. IdI have to double check the specific flow rate to know exactly howany times it's cycles through the tank in an hour, it's been set up for a while and I've forgotten some of the info about the pump.

Currently I'm understocked because is old off most of my stock, as of today I'm down to 2 young pairs of convicts (Males are 3" females are 1.5"), and 3 young Featherfins (4", 3", and 1.5"). The plan is to build a moss wall to cover the filter portion of the tank as well as introducing 2 Amazon Swords, 6~ Anabus, and a few other harty plants that would thrive more with the addition of a slight increase in CO2. As well as revitalizing the existing Anabus and Sword in the tank that have been doing rather poorly over the past year.

I'll be adding more info about this tank over the weekend.

 

Please keep this post updated with what you end up using and how well it works! The lack of people doing this on large tanks makes it difficult for me to start out what works and doesn't before I set it up on my 180 dirted.

 

I will definitely be keeping this updated. I did have a small financial set back yesterday and will delay this project until the beginning of 2019.

The plan so far is to go with a single CO2 tank, and use either a 2 or 4 way splitter to set up multiple diffusers to keep things consistent from each end of the tank. Based on my research I will be attempting to control the system based on a pH controller in unison with a CO2 controller to hold both to a set range. With the size of this project it may be a computer control set up for ease of use and constant monitoring. I believe this route will ensure the best results for the system. As well I'm looking into possible oxygen injection as well, I know this is unnecessary, however I've been doing some research and believe it may work well for fish health and nightly plant health if used properly. The oxygen system would work nearly identically to the CO2 system. As well I'd like to see about an automated fertilizer dosing system in the near future.

I will be posting the daily water parameters in the week leading up to the addition of the system(s) as well as daily and nightly parameters once the system is up and going. As well as specifications on everything used and any DIY methods needed to ensure success for such a complicated system.

 

Please keep this post updated with what you end up using and how well it works! The lack of people doing this on large tanks makes it difficult for me to start out what works and doesn't before I set it up on my 180 dirted.

This should work well for you setup





or


This is 100.Gal setup I use only 5.lb and it less 3 months 7 hours a day

New equipment update, Dossing Fertilizer Pump

• Zigi Zig
• Aug 3, 2018

If you have sump pump you will have to figure your plumbing ..

 

I'm leaning pretty heavily towards an inline reactor on my canister. If a single won't work well enough I will likely add a line to some powerheads.

 

I'm leaning pretty heavily towards an inline reactor on my canister. If a single won't work well enough I will likely add a line to some powerheads.

FX 4-FX6 canisters works perfect with either one as mine going thru additional UV unit and co2 reactor those units still produce large volumes water per hour also adding for example control wave maker makes it either better water circulation

 

If you have sump pump you will have to figure your plumbing ..

Yeah, I'm considering bypassing the sump so I can run the multiple defusers. However I actually just found an option that may let me run through the sump and then use a splitter on the sump output to reroute it to both ends of the tank to avoid any stagnancy due to water flowing over rather than through rock structures. Right now the water flows out at the top on the right hand side of the tank and loops down around and back up to drain out out of the top left hand size, which I feel doesn't contribute well to consistency throughout the tank. I believe the first task will be figuring out rerouting the sump. I believe if I can work through the sump output that it'll be the ideal way to properly diffuse CO2. We'll see, I have a lot more research to do on making this work ideally.

 

You could do a reactor from the pump back to the tank. Should give you plenty of volume. Then you could always augment with diffusers

 

You could do a reactor from the pump back to the tank. Should give you plenty of volume. Then you could always augment with diffusers

That could work. That's part of the line of Thought on rerouting the pump output, initially I thought through the pump would be best, but I believe just cutting the line coming out of the pump and adding in at that point into a rerouted flow would work quite well.

 

I'll be looking into multiple options on this. But I believe there are definitely a couple of ways to do it.

 

I'll be looking into multiple options on this. But I believe there are definitely a couple of ways to do it.

There are definitely like 5 ways to skin this cat. There is a lot of doubt about a single reactor working on tanks this size but I can't find where anyone has built a large enough one and attempted it. Id rather avoid having the look of diffusers in the tank. I'm actually thinking of adding another canister if I need more of a reactor. The science of loading the water with co2 leads me to believe a large enough reactor on a single line should be effective enough as long as water flow is high enough inside the tank.

 

I am debating going with CO2 setup but I am worried if it’s going to be difficult or a hassle to maintain. As of now, I know very little about the setups and would need direction as far as proper dosing if I did in fact go with it or not. Just curious if it is worth it. I do very much enjoy planted tanks and would like mine to flourish and as of now I’m getting slow growth with some plants and nothing with others. Is the CO2 easy and worth it?

 

For me is easy but what you have to know light is integral to photosynthesis and the creation of oxygen, your plants will stop using CO2 when aquarium lights turn off. Instead, they will start producing CO2. To avoid harmful CO2 overdose and harmful drop in pH levels, do not add CO2 to your aquarium when aquarium lights are off so is important to have lights and co2 on timer as well drop checker.. Drop tracker is easy just monitor color when is green is good when is blue not enough , Red or yellow is too much..


Setup wise sometimes could be tricky and it will required some custom modification I do not use Co2 diffuser I use Active CO2 Reactor those required Canister filters or external pumps if you use HOB filter you gonna have to stick with Co2 diffuser..
Co2 diffuser


External reactor



Here is few of mine setups..

40.Gal Setup

• Zigi Zig
• Oct 22, 2018

New equipment update, Dossing Fertilizer Pump

• Zigi Zig
• Aug 3, 2018

 

For me is easy but what you have to know light is integral to photosynthesis and the creation of oxygen, your plants will stop using CO2 when aquarium lights turn off. Instead, they will start producing CO2. To avoid harmful CO2 overdose and harmful drop in pH levels, do not add CO2 to your aquarium when aquarium lights are off so is important to have lights and co2 on timer as well drop checker.. Drop tracker is easy just monitor color when is green is good when is blue not enough , Red or yellow is too much..
View attachment 499542
Setup wise sometimes could be tricky and it will required some custom modification I do not use Co2 diffuser I use Active CO2 Reactor those required Canister filters or external pumps if you use HOB filter you gonna have to stick with Co2 diffuser..
Co2 diffuser
View attachment 499545
External reactor
View attachment 499546

Here is few of mine setups..

40.Gal Setup

• Zigi Zig
• Oct 22, 2018

New equipment update, Dossing Fertilizer Pump

• Zigi Zig
• Aug 3, 2018

The is for replying. Been waiting all day for someone to write back but I have also been researching most of the day as well. My biggest concern right now is which brand of regulator to buy. I see so many different types with all sorts of great and terrible reviews. I personally can not afford an expensive one anytime soon as my girlfriend will kill me as I dump a lot of money into this hobby already. Anyway I do have a FluvalSmart 306 canister filter and understand about having the CO2 and lighting on a timer. Guess my question now is which regulator and diffusers ?

 

You will need
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

 

Thank you. Do you have a brand regulator that you trust that isn’t crazy expensive?

 

Thank you. Do you have a brand regulator that you trust that isn’t crazy expensive?

I use this , they ok


The most expensive be co2 cylinder than you will have to take to local shop exchange it or just get one from them is already full next time you will pay only for CO2 that be around $14-$28 to refill..

 

Co2 is great. The only hassle is having is getting a refill a few times a year its well worth investing in.

Just make sure you keep lights and ferts in balance with it.