Need Advice : Bioload / CO2-24/7

[Fuzzy]

Tank setup
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I am running a small tank (Oceanfree Sparkle - 40 liters, http://203.116.88.76/default.asp?id=3&mnu=3) and planning to start CO2 this week.

This tank has been cycled for 1 week, and has had RCS in it for about 2 weeks. I will not be dosing any ferts in this tank.

Presently using DIY CO2, but not happy with inconsistent production by yeast. Tank is well aerated with a circular airstone.

Intend to use a 2L tank with a nano diffuser and manual valve. I have a bubble counter and intend to bubble at 1 bubble per second or 1 bubble per 2 seconds. Air pump is on 24/7 diffused by a ring buried under gravel, steady stream of 50 to 60 bubbles per second.

Lights are a pair of 8w 11cm White T5, 9 hours on, 13 hours off.
Powerhead is rated at 1000 litres per hour, but I doubt its that high, though it does seem to be more than sufficient, and maybe even a bit too high for this tank size.
Filtered through polyester media with sintered glass bio rings layered below, I have GEX activated carbon pads on standby, but have not put them in yet, don't want to
interfere with the cycling process, unless I detect excess Ammonia or Nitrates.

Substrate is GEX Red Shrimp and Plant soil, Few pieces of Coral Mineral, dosing as required with Baxter Mineral Plus. topped with coarse gravel.
pH 7.0,
Temp 25-29C,
Ammonia below 0.02ppm,
GH 4
KH 1
Nitrates and Nitrites not detectable.

Fishless Tank is populated with about 30 RCS (varying sizes, shrimplet to adult)
8 snails in various stages of growth (from 0.5mm - 2mm) [Ramshorn and unIDed]

Its sitting on my desk in bedroom, and used as my table lamp, so mosquito larvae shouldn't be a problem.

All plants are small and low, plan to keep them well trimmed.
5x5cm Fissiden Fontanus Mesh,
2x8cm Riccia on bamboo,
4x4cm HC on coconut husk,
4x4cm Fissidens splachnobryoides
2 Marimo balls,
5 stalks of Star Grass,
Small clump of Hairgrass,
Java Moss on 1/2 coconut husk
2 stalks of unIDed cute spikey plant from Polyart (pics later)
5 stalks of Elodia (largest plant in tank, about 8cm per stalk)
2 strands of Flame moss

I am not sure how far I am pushing the bioload, but the tank still has plenty of space, and the shrimp don't seem to be overly crowded. I will thin the herd if I detect an increase in the ammonia, or nitrite levels. The shrimp all seem to be very happy and I've had some births in the tank.


Required advice
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Anyone running their CO2 at low rates 24/7? I've heard it argued that its better to do it this way as long as the water is well oxygenated, to prevent pH spikes.

If I start to have algae problems, I may introduce a small Oto or two, but prefer to run fishless (maybe can borrow your Otos? .)

I probably should buy a CO2 dropper at some point.

Does this bioload seem excessive?

[blink_willie]

Your bioload does not seem excessive to me,you have more plants than shrimps/snails inside.Running CO2 24/7 at a low bubble rate shouldn't pose a problem.I do that.

[Loopy]

The answers are below in blue. Hope that helps.

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Anyone running their CO2 at low rates 24/7? I've heard it argued that its better to do it this way as long as the water is well oxygenated, to prevent pH spikes.
Yes, I run 1~2 bubble(s) a second in a similar sized tank at work 24/7 with
X1 Panda Cory
X2 Otto's (when I see them)
X3 Orange Shrimp (or whatever they are called)a

I use a small external "kuniang" or the english equivalent "little" 200LPH eden-like-china-copy canister filter.

Here is the trick - I put the rainbar under the surface of the water and face it up for water agitation.

If I start to have algae problems, I may introduce a small Oto or two, but prefer to run fishless (maybe can borrow your Otos? .)

Ok I have 11 at home! I will tell them it is an exchange program, hee hee

I probably should buy a CO2 dropper at some point.

I just make sure my PH and KH are maintained and change one small bucket of water 2 times a week. Yes, my workplace rocks.

Does this bioload seem excessive?

I'd go easy on adding anything more to be honest. But everyone will have a view on this.

One more thing, I don't fertilise at all. Zero, Nada and Nope. Riccia and Fisseden. And sometimes I take cuttings from the home tank to the small work tank to "grow" quickly and bring them back home later.

[Fuzzy]

I've noticed mosquitoes buzzing about the tank, even though the surface of the water is too turbulent for them to land on, and got a bit concerned.

I introduced 3 Boraras Brigattae and 3 Dwarf Otos, but the Otos seem to way too excited and constantly buzzing around the tank, concerned they will stress my shrimp.

The Boraras are quite well behaved and leave the shrimp alone, but they still seem very skittish and excitable.

I'm starting to second guess whether I am feeding the fish and shrimp enough, as I have been trying to consciously avoid overfeeding.

[Loopy]

Hi Fuzzy,

You might want to check if this a broader problem then just your tank. Around your house? Plant Pots?

As for my Otto's, they did the same thing. After a bit they settled down. How long has it been?

What do you feed them? Wafers?

I've noticed mosquitoes buzzing about the tank, even though the surface of the water is too turbulent for them to land on, and got a bit concerned.

I introduced 3 Boraras Brigattae and 3 Dwarf Otos, but the Otos seem to way too excited and constantly buzzing around the tank, concerned they will stress my shrimp.

The Boraras are quite well behaved and leave the shrimp alone, but they still seem very skittish and excitable.

I'm starting to second guess whether I am feeding the fish and shrimp enough, as I have been trying to consciously avoid overfeeding.

[Fuzzy]

Hi Fuzzy,

You might want to check if this a broader problem then just your tank. Around your house? Plant Pots?

As for my Otto's, they did the same thing. After a bit they settled down. How long has it been?

What do you feed them? Wafers?

My plants were mosquito proofed years ago, and I my neighborhood was subjected to fogging / inspection a few months ago, I do live by a river though.

I've been feeding my critters GEX CRS tablets, JBJ Novo prawn, Sera Bit and Tetramin Mini Granules, mixing it up or alternating brands in small quantities.

My Otos have settled down and are calmly swimming around now, mostly spending time on the bottom of the tank but not really disturbing my cherry shrimp.

The Boraras still seem perpetually hungry though, dunno if I just got greedy fishies on my hands?

But the three of them seem to be doing quite well and their coloration as well as those of my cherry shrimp both seem to have improved significantly
after I increased the KH to 4.

Seeing quite a few shrimplets on and off in my tank now.

[Loopy]

I have never had such luck with having shrimplets

But I have had these orange shrimp that seem to be immortal.

Seeing quite a few shrimplets on and off in my tank now.