DIY co2 for your planted?

[EvolutionZ]

hi guys.. as i have plans on my current 2ft jungle scape(top tier) i am very tempted to get back to high tech.. but algae is whats stopping me.. i have not really try DIY co2 yet. and i have see lots of countless scape beautifully done by using only DIY co2. and me myself am tempted to give it a try..
lighting used will be a 55w PL lighting(on my 2ft will be ~3wpg.)
so are algae mainly cause by inconsistance level of Co2?

[illumnae]

i wouldn't say that all algae is mainly caused by inconsistant CO2. There are other factors that could trigger algae as well. However, that being said, inconsistant CO2 is certainly one of the factors that trigger algae outbreaks.

If you are keeping up with dosing and still get algae outbreaks, then the inconsistant CO2 may be the cause of your outbreaks.

Like you've mentioned, there are plenty of beautiful scapes not plagued by algae that use DIY CO2. I believe that this is because the owners of these tanks consistently change the mixtures of their DIY CO2 sets, such that they are always achieving a constant ppm of CO2 in their tanks. I've read one of the ways to do this is to keep 2 bottles running into the tank at the same time, but staggering the timing of introducing each bottle by a week. Every week, change the bottle that is 2 weeks old to a new formula. That way, your tank will always have sufficient CO2.

Do take note also that inconsistent CO2 is not only caused by DIY CO2. It can also be caused by poor flow not distributing CO2 evenly or poor dissolving rates of CO2 (bubbles going straight to the surface and not dissolving). Please ensure you eliminate all these factors as well.

Finally, on a side note, a single 55W bulb may not be ideal for a standard 2ft tank despite it being 3WPG. Firstly, a 2ft tank is 14gal, so the WPG rule doesn't apply directly...3WPG in this case may translate into ~2WPG after factoring in the "small" tank. Further, my experience with Kenis lights (I use a 36W one over my 2ft tank) is that it does not give sufficient spread over the tank. Thus, you will have a very brightly lit strip with the surrounding areas relatively dimmer.

[windcharm]

You must be very hardworking preparing the DIY CO2 every like 2 weeks or so.

[Morgan01]

if i were you i invest in a worry free pressurised CO2 set.

[illumnae]

he's still a student, budget limited i think DIY CO2 is feasible, but as windcharm mentioned, you have to be hardworking and consistent in topping up fresh ingredients weekly. being lax = algae gets a foothold

[EvolutionZ]

thanks for all your advices bros.. yea still a poor student.. not much budget for a solenoid co2 set. i was also thinking of using the running 2 canister at 1 time method..

hmm.. true that 55watt for 2ft may be a little too little.. maybe i'll use back my 2x36watt but im worried that might be too strong.

[illumnae]

I used a 36W PL + 20W FL and still felt it was insufficient for high-tech

as for the 2 bottle method, do take note that if you aren't diligent and miss a change (whether it be that you're on holiday or have exams or forgot), you potentially will run into algae issues.

you may want to consider using a canister + manual regulator instead. it's not too expensive and running it 24/7 is more reliable than DIY CO2. I'm doing that for my office tank now.

[Morgan01]

go to NA there's a special package going on...not expensive...save $2 a day for 1 month you are there!

[EvolutionZ]

haha.. thaks morgan for your advice.. accutally i have the money to buy 1.. but just feel that.. not really that worth it.. haha.. maybe its beacuse i have tried high tech many times even with solenoid.. in the end my tank just get infested with algae, algae and algae.. its pretty fustrating.. anyway.. special thanks to illumnea for what you have typed.. decided to stay on with low-tech.. yes still algae but at least its much slower!

[sfk7]

Think to combat algae will be what everyone has been advising. Plant heavily from the start. Thats the most important point in my opinion. After that will be getting co2 well distributed.

And after will come the most headache part. Fertiliser regime. Gotta look at your plants and dose. Can do EI too but personally feel its too wasteful.