How to keep co2 stable?

Hey! I am currently deciding on a low tech system or a high / medium tech system for aquarium plants. I was thinking of co2 for the tank along with a fluval fresh 32 watt light but I am worried if co2 will cause ph/kh swings in my tank and will harm my fish/inverts.. Any tips on keeping a co2 system stable to prevent kh/ph swings?



The tank is a 20 gallon long with a rim, planning on adding nerite snails, amano shrimp, and harlequin rasboras, plants will be pearlweed, rotala rutundifolia, ludwiga repens green and red, and lastly java fern.

 

In my experience CO2 systems do cause pH swings, but this doesn't hurt anything. I've kept shrimps and several kinds of different fishes (including everything on your list), and the swings in pH never stressed anything.

Keeping the level of CO2 stable is a different issue. In my non-CO2 injected tanks, I don't worry about this much. Just use a tank that has more relative surface area. For example, a 20 long is better than a 20 high. In my CO2 injected tanks, I use surface agitation and surface skimming to create a sort of CO2 ceiling that keeps the CO2 levels from getting too high and stressing livestock. Doing this is more wasteful, but it allows me to add more CO2 faster, which keeps things stable throughout the day.

I've enjoyed both my high tech and low tech systems. Both have advantages and disadvantages. In a high tech tank you can keep more species of plants more easily, the plants grow thicker and more compact, and the plants look more vibrant and colorful. The plants grow a lot faster with CO2, meaning more fertilization and trimming. In a low tech tank, fewer species of plants will thrive, so you'll need more knowledge/experience to pull it off well. The plants grow a lot slower, so there is a lot less maintenance.

 

In my experience CO2 systems do cause pH swings, but this doesn't hurt anything. I've kept shrimps and several kinds of different fishes (including everything on your list), and the swings in pH never stressed anything.

Keeping the level of CO2 stable is a different issue. In my non-CO2 injected tanks, I don't worry about this much. Just use a tank that has more relative surface area: for example a 20 long is better than a 20 high. In my CO2 injected tanks, I used surface agitation and surface skimming to create a sort of CO2 ceiling that keeps the CO2 levels from getting too high and stressing livestock. Doing this is more wasteful, but it allows me to add more CO2 faster, which keeps things stable throughout the day.

Thanks a lot! Any co2 kits / equipment that you recommend for a 20 gallon long? Also what lights will be good if you can answer

 

On my 20 long, I use a 5lb CO2 tank with CO2Art regulator, check valve, and diffusor. I use the Finnex planted 24/7 LED light. This equipment has worked great for me, but it is not the only stuff out there. I've also used the Fzone regulators before (they cost less) with good results. I strongly recommend making sure that whatever regulator you use is a 2-stage/dual stage regulator: they just work better.

 

Thanks, I will be using the light you mentioned (195 dollars) along with a 5Ib CO2 tank (60 dollars) and a kit by CO2 Art which costs 213 dollars, thanks for the replies