Need advise on Pressurised CO2

[octopus]

After about a year into the planted tank i have decided that i am going to be into this hobby for a very long time. Want to move on to the next level from low tech to high tech.Having read some of the post in this forum and other articles i am looking for some answers to the following issues :
- Any danger of an explosion of the co2 tank?
-If i understand correctly the timing of light and co2 are activated simultaneously.
-Algae issues will be more manageable.
- What is the recommended time of day to activate co2 supply and for how long?.
- How long would a 2L cylinderful of co2 last?. mths?
- Is a co2 reactor a neccessity?.
- Will protein films on the water surface be eliminated by using co2?
- What is a safe dosage that will not harm the lifestocks?
- What other benefits of co2 when compared to non co2?

[Yulbrainer]

- Any danger of an explosion of the co2 tank?
CMIIW, In Singapore the co2 tank (or all pressurize tank) need to pass test every year. Meaning the risk is there but minimal.

-If i understand correctly the timing of light and co2 are activated simultaneously.
Yes, to prevent over CO2 when the photosynthesis process is stop (no light = no photosynthesis)

-Algae issues will be more manageable.
Yes, Due to more stable CO2 = stable PH

- What is the recommended time of day to activate co2 supply and for how long?.
Depends on your tank, what are the plants, how many plants, how strong is your light. Maybe turn on 10 hours.

- How long would a 2L cylinderful of co2 last?. mths?
Without leakage can last for 8 months (+/-2bps).

- Is a co2 reactor a neccessity?.
It will be better to dilute the co2 into water. Reactor need external canister.

- Will protein films on the water surface be eliminated by using co2?
Don't think so, you can eliminated/reduce it by using aerator or use a rainbar to agitate the surface

- What is a safe dosage that will not harm the lifestocks?
You can measure the co2 by using co2 drop checker.

- What other benefits of co2 when compared to non co2?[/QUOTE]
Plants will grow faster.

[octopus]

Hi Yulbrainer, thanks for walking me through this uncertain path.

[tawauboy]

while there is regulations governing CO2 cylinders, most aquarist do not test their tanks annually. however, do perform regular checks to ensure that the cylinder do not rust or gets damaged from dropping.

some start injecting CO2 ahead of the photo period, some inject co2 in synchronization with photo period. no hard and fast rules.

injecting CO2 alone does not magically make algae more manageable. other nutrients requirements must be satisfied in conjunction with CO2 injection will make algae more manageable.

you are trying to recreate nature in your tank. so CO2 injection and photo period should mimic daylight hours; 8~10 hours. you'll need to monitor your plants and adjust accordingly.

how long a 2L cylinder lasts depends on the CO2 injection rate. plan for worst-case to avoid disappointment of why your cylinder does not last.

there are many means/devices available to dissolve CO2, some have better efficiency. ie. reactor

aim for CO2 concentration of around 30mg/liter.

[octopus]

while there is regulations governing CO2 cylinders, most aquarist do not test their tanks annually. however, do perform regular checks to ensure that the cylinder do not rust or gets damaged from dropping.

some start injecting CO2 ahead of the photo period, some inject co2 in synchronization with photo period. no hard and fast rules.
injecting CO2 alone does not magically make algae more manageable. other nutrients requirements must be satisfied in conjunction with CO2 injection will make algae more manageable.

you are trying to recreate nature in your tank. so CO2 injection and photo period should mimic daylight hours; 8~10 hours. you'll need to monitor your plants and adjust accordingly.

how long a 2L cylinder lasts depends on the CO2 injection rate. plan for worst-case to avoid disappointment of why your cylinder does not last.

there are many means/devices available to dissolve CO2, some have better efficiency. ie. reactor

aim for CO2 concentration of around 30mg/liter.

Thanks again but how do i measure 30mg/liter. While at it any suggestion as to where is the best place to purchase this pressurised tanks?.

[tawauboy]

you can try checking lfs like petmart, c328, nature aquarium, ...

for CO2 concentration, search for CO2 pH/KH charts.
for a KH = 4, inject CO2 at a rate that will result in a pH of 6.6. this will give you ~30mg/liter.
you'll need test kits for KH and pH.

[octopus]

you can try checking lfs like petmart, c328, nature aquarium, ...

for CO2 concentration, search for CO2 pH/KH charts.
for a KH = 4, inject CO2 at a rate that will result in a pH of 6.6. this will give you ~30mg/liter.
you'll need test kits for KH and pH.

Still blur about the rate of injection. Is that refering to the bubblecount?. Is it achievable with just the atomiser (without reactor)?.

[Yulbrainer]

The rate of injectiom and the amount of co2 in water is 2 different things.
The rate of injection is measure by buble per second.
The amount of co2 in water is measure by ppm.

The more bps the more co2 in water, if the diffuser is fine enough, if not the co2 will just wasted to the air.
Diffuser/atomizer should be enough to disolve co2.
Reactor is more efficient (use less co2).

[octopus]

The rate of injectiom and the amount of co2 in water is 2 different things.
The rate of injection is measure by buble per second.
The amount of co2 in water is measure by ppm.

The more bps the more co2 in water, if the diffuser is fine enough, if not the co2 will just wasted to the air.
Diffuser/atomizer should be enough to disolve co2.
Reactor is more efficient (use less co2).

So the confusion between diffuser and reactor is now put to rest. Thanks again. Cant wait to lay my hands on a pressurised system.