what i need if i plan to have a co2 tank?

[wcneo]

hi, i'm quit new to this hobby. after seeing so many people planting scaping with hc plant i like it alot but i try plant in my tank without co2, it does not grow. and die atfer that. do hc really need so much co2? cause i did it in a shrimp tanks. so i think of getting co2 tanks but it cost alot for a student like me.

[jeffteo]

Basically you need the CO2 cylinder, regulator(with solenoid control if you want to control the on/off with timer), CO2 proof tubing, 1 way check valve and CO2 diffuser/reactor. Search online and you will find it. Youtube will be a good place to search too.

You don't need to get a brand new one if you can't afford it now. Look into the market place for people letting go. Every now and then will have people selling.

[mlgt]

Dont forget the drop checker and solutions

[Shadow]

You need to reduce your light intensity if you do not dose CO2. but for HC it is nearly impossible, even if it is not die, it will not grow healthy (tried it). Carbon replacement solution also does not help much (tried it). I would say you need CO2 if you want to grow HC.

[zonkkie]

I will be better if you decide if you want to go high tech - chiller/co2/high lights or low/no tech first before deciding on the plants. There are nice plants that you can grow even with no co2... just not HC.

[wcneo]

Dont forget the drop checker and solutions

hi bro, srry if i ask too much noob question. why do i need drop checker and solution? what type of drop checker i need?

[wcneo]

I will be better if you decide if you want to go high tech - chiller/co2/high lights or low/no tech first before deciding on the plants. There are nice plants that you can grow even with no co2... just not HC.

i have a chiller brought it for second hand. running at 25deg. i some nice guy here give me abit of hc and i try it but it starting to turn yellow and die. will soil also effect? i'm using gex soil.

[jeffteo]

hi bro, srry if i ask too much noob question. why do i need drop checker and solution? what type of drop checker i need?

Actually drop checker is not really necessary. It is used to measure the CO2 concentration in the water so that the inhabitant will not be suffocated.
Without the drop checker, you got to observe the fish behavior and make sure they are not swimming at the top gasping for air. Just got to find the right balance manually till you get it right.

[wcneo]

Basically you need the CO2 cylinder, regulator(with solenoid control if you want to control the on/off with timer), CO2 proof tubing, 1 way check valve and CO2 diffuser/reactor. Search online and you will find it. Youtube will be a good place to search too.

You don't need to get a brand new one if you can't afford it now. Look into the market place for people letting go. Every now and then will have people selling.

ty bro for answering me. i try look around. abit scare to start using co2 too as i saw people say too much co2 might kill shrimps too.

[wcneo]

hi bro, 1 last question. if my tanks is a 3ft tank, what should the co2 tank liters be? 3L? those the size matters?

[jeffteo]

The tank size is up to your preference and of course the bigger the better if you have the space and money. Bigger means lesser refill trips to the LFS but bigger also means heavier and will be tedious to carry around if you do not have own transport.

[wcneo]

any idea a 2L can last how long? if i only on for 8hr a day?

[Shadow]

It depend on how much you inject. how big is your tank?

By the way, the price to top up 5L and below are the same.

[wcneo]

wow. like this must buy 5L liao. if not waste money. but 5L is expensive. mine is a normal 3ft tank. think set it at 1bps. so if 2L 1bps can last how long?

[wcneo]

forget to ask something. top up cost about how much?

[Shadow]

I inject 5-6 bps on my 3ft. My 5L CO2 tank last about half a year. Top up is normally about $15 to $18.

[wcneo]

wow. if i only 1bps, mean can last atleast 1 to 2 years.