High tech planted tank questions

I’m looking into setting up at high tech planted 2.6 gallon fluval spec 3. I was thinking about experimenting with diy co2 and I’m going to be. I understand I need a diffuser,co2 hosing,eletronicly controlled solenoid with a regulator, bubble counter and a drop counter.

is this all I need. Is there like a system that already has all this ?

I’m planning on going with a 20oz tank as I believe that’s the smallest and for only 2.6 gallons I don’t feel I need anything bigger

im planning on using Ada Amazonia light for my substrate. I’ve seen good reviews.
Is this the best substrate ?

I’m not sure which plants I want either. I’m new to this section of the hobby(I understand nitrogen cycle, but I’ve never tried high tech plants with co2).

I really like the look of dwarf hair grass when it’s carpeted

anyways sorry for the long post I would really appreciate feed back on my question. I would also love to see others high tech planted tanks to get some inspiration for my tank. Thanks in advance

P.s planning on keeping a couple shrimp nothing to crazy it’s only 2 gallons. Probably something like orange Sakura or yellow Neocaridina and I know sometimes co2 can killl live stocking

 

Hey there! When you say DIY, do you mean you'll be using a DIY CO2 setup with yeast, or you're just going to be putting together a CO2 kit from various sourced parts?

 

Hey there! When you say DIY, do you mean you'll be using a DIY CO2 setup with yeast, or you're just going to be putting together a CO2 kit from various sourced parts?

Is paint ball tank co2 not considers diy? I was considering that method but I thought paint ball Co2 would be better is it not?

I just wanted to get a general idea of what I’m looking for to set up a co2 system I’m new to this and have no idea what to look for other than the parts I’ve listed (not even sure where to get those)

 

Is paint ball tank co2 not considers diy? I was considering that method but I thought paint ball Co2 would be better is it not?

I've never seen a paintball or any other pressurized system referred to as DIY - all the parts are manufactured for you, so there's not real doing anything yourself, just some assembly. DIY typically means DIYing the CO2 itself using a homemeade yeast recipe or pre-bought mixture.

If going with a paintball tank, you'll need:

- Paintball Tank
- Regulator (be sure it will fit a paintball tank, or that you also acquire a compatible paintball adaptor)
- Solenoid (usually just bought with the regulator - not entirely necessary if you dont want to put the CO2 on a timer. I did get a regulator with a solenoid.)
-Bubble counter
-CO2 proof tubing
- Reliable check valve
- Diffuser
- Drop checker

I actually just bought all the gear for my first high tech tank, using a 20oz paintball tank. I went for less expensive but still seemingly reliable parts (crossing my fingers and trusting in the Amazon reviews on the regulator). I paid under $200 for all of this. If it's helpful to you, I listed everything I've built on my tank build thread here: Fishproblem's FIRST High Tech Planted (6g) | Freshwater Aquarium Builds 455011
I'm also using ADA Amazonia Light (with Power Sand and added ferts), so it might actually be helpful for you to see how it goes for me! I'm just waiting on some elephant stone to arrive in the mail.

There are a number of kits you can buy that include everything you need to get started. There's a DOOA kit for about $230 that includes everything for sale on Aqua Forest Aquarium's site that looks like a great size for your tank.

 

Is the dooa system the one with the disposable paintball cartridges? Would it still be worth it cause I know those disposable cartridges can rack up in price. Or would I just be using so little co2 that it wouldn’t matter.

question about a diffuser is there any brandyou would recommend

 

Is the dooa system the one with the disposable paintball cartridges? Would it still be worth it cause I know those disposable cartridges can rack up in price. Or would I just be using so little co2 that it wouldn’t matter.

question about a diffuser is there any brandyou would recommend

It is - you'd probably get a decent amount of mileage off it, provided the regulator is adjustable (I'll admit I haven't checked that). The replacements are $15, whereas it's about $5 to refill a 20oz paintball tank. You'd have to decide whether the cost is worth the aesthetic and effort tradeoff. I'm budget-minded, and am setting up a 6 gallon, so I went with a paintball canister.

I'm just beginning with pressurized CO2 as well, so I can't speak from personal experience here, but I purchased the Jardli U shaped diffuser for the aesthetic and because I'm familiar with the brand. I haven't seen it in action yet, but it looks and feels like it's high quality.

 

It is - you'd probably get a decent amount of mileage off it, provided the regulator is adjustable (I'll admit I haven't checked that). The replacements are $15, whereas it's about $5 to refill a 20oz paintball tank. You'd have to decide whether the cost is worth the aesthetic and effort tradeoff. I'm budget-minded, and am setting up a 6 gallon, so I went with a paintball canister.

I'm just beginning with pressurized CO2 as well, so I can't speak from personal experience here, but I purchased the Jardli U shaped diffuser for the aesthetic and because I'm familiar with the brand. I haven't seen it in action yet, but it looks and feels like it's high quality.

Okay great I’ll look at some reviews

I’m probably going to go with a 20oz paintball canister cause I have a budget of 400 not including the tank so I’m not trying to spend a lot on co2 although 200 is fine for a co2 system

 

So far I've spent about $500, including the waterbox tank for $60. It was physically painful to fork over the money, but I know it'll be worth it!
I still have to buy the plants, so another significant expense there. That said, I replaced the inflow and outflow with glass lily pipes and all that too. Good luck!

 

ADA Amazonia is considered the best! I believe the light version has less ammonia.
Feel free to get a bigger gas tank though, it just means less refills and the ability to use it on a larger tank in the future.
Here's my nano high tech (citric acid+baking soda DIY) before I took it down when I moved:

 

CO2 is CO2, but injected CO2 is more consistent and easier to adjust than DIY. It also tends to last much longer, although the tradeoff is buying all the equipment.

ADA Amazonia Light is a good substrate, but isn't as nutrient-rich as their flagship plant substrate, Amazonia. However, it does not leach ammonia like the more nutrient-rich version does. Almost all aquasoils will make your water more soft and acidic, and how long this buffering ability lasts depends on the hardness and alkalinity of your water. With hard water it may stop doing this after a couple of months, but if you are making very soft acidic water for, say, Taiwan bee shrimp, the effect may last 2 years.

Dwarf hairgrass is a very easy carpeting plant in my experience. Try to keep adequate flow in the tank; I don't have enough flow in the tank that I have a carpet of it in, so I tend to get string algae (thankfully this is the easiest algae to remove, just comb it out with a fork or toothbrush).

If you decide on another carpet, check my sticky'd thread in the aquarium plants section on growing carpets using the dry-start method. It is my favorite way to start carpets and while it is a long read, it goes into details on how to establish and maintain a carpet. I currently have the link to the thread as the signature at the end of my posts if you are interested.

EDIT: here is the link below:

How To Grow (Most) Carpeting Plants (DSM Thread) | Aquarium Plants 455236

 

ADA Amazonia is considered the best! I believe the light version has less ammonia.
Feel free to get a bigger gas tank though, it just means less refills and the ability to use it on a larger tank in the future.
Here's my nano high tech (citric acid+baking soda DIY) before I took it down when I moved:
View attachment 692137

Yes ADA Amazonia is considered the best, by ADA.

 

With Amazonia just be prepared to have low ph and high ammonia for awhile and probably a harder time controlling algae and a substrate that will break down and need replacing with 1 to 2 years. Having said that I personally like the look it has in the tank. For me its just not worth the money for something that is basically a processed potting soil.

 

Yes ADA Amazonia is considered the best, by ADA.

Haha true, but by common consensus of many plant hobbyists and aquascapers as well

 

Thanks everyone for your help I’m decided I’m going to go with a 20oz paintball tank co2 setup

as RDcompton03 mentiond that Planted tank substrate breaks down I’ve seen horror story’s of it becoming mud and clouding the tank

does ada Amazonia do this

so should I chose Amazonia light or just the regular I’m fine with ammonia in the start as I won’t be adding life stock until a couple week after to let my established media re produce I’m also going with some pretty hardy shrimp (Yellow Neocaridina)
so I’m not worried about soft water. My ph is about 7.8 and my ammanos are doing well


I really like the look of dwarf hair grass I might just make a mini lawn. I’ve read dwarf hair grass like sand as its


I was also thinking of doing a dry start to give my carpet a head start is this worth it or should I just fill it up?

I have some sand I could use to cap it but I prefer to just at go straight dirt
question about the stock light on the spec three

would it be strong enough to make a dwarf hair grass carpet. If not what would be a better light that would help to promote growth

 

Thanks everyone for your help I’m decided I’m going to go with a 20oz paintball tank co2 setup

as RDcompton03 mentiond that Planted tank substrate breaks down I’ve seen horror story’s of it becoming mud and clouding the tank

does ada Amazonia do this

so should I chose Amazonia light or just the regular I’m fine with ammonia in the start as I won’t be adding life stock until a couple week after to let my established media re produce I’m also going with some pretty hardy shrimp (Yellow Neocaridina)
so I’m not worried about soft water. My ph is about 7.8 and my ammanos are doing well


I really like the look of dwarf hair grass I might just make a mini lawn. I’ve read dwarf hair grass like sand as its


I was also thinking of doing a dry start to give my carpet a head start is this worth it or should I just fill it up?

I have some sand I could use to cap it but I prefer to just at go straight dirt
question about the stock light on the spec three

would it be strong enough to make a dwarf hair grass carpet. If not what would be a better light that would help to promote growth

Yes it does break down

 

Yes it does break down

All aquasoils do but it takes years...

 

All aquasoils do but it takes years...

while im not sure why it runs better for some than others I do know that in a heavily planted tank you will likely be using root tabs within a year to keep your plants growing well. Its just basically topsoil that is baked at a very high temperature to harden it and kill any life in it and then its ground up into small pellet size. So once the organics in it have broken down and the nutrients used up its basically an inert substance unless you add ferts to it.