Ah, yes, but different solutions for different problems! Small tanks, 5 and
10 gallons are equally well served by Seachem Excel and the Hagen system,
although over the long run the Excel gets expensive. But, it is a great way
to begin, perhaps for the first year, to see if a planted tank is
worthwhile. Hagen works fine for 20 gallons, but above that you need two and
ought to consider a DIY set up. Somewhere around 40 to 50 gallons, the
pressurized system gets to be a good thing, althought the initial set up is
costly, running costs are near nothing and the time svings is great since
the larger tanks require several bottles of DIY yeast CO2 to put out enough
bubbles to do the trick.

In every case, one must balance time and money. You will invest one or the
other.

And always, monitor your CO2 levels by measuring pH and KH. CO2 overdose --
and dead fish -- only happens with high bubble rates or low KH water (also
end-of-tank dump from pressurized but that is another issue). It can happen
in larger (55) tanks if the water is low KH, or at high or very efficient
input rates in tanks with moderate KH. Before you begin, know your target pH
and the lowest safe pH, and monitor pH at morning and late day before lights
out. If you get near that danger level, do something before nightfall.


"CJV" wrote in message
...
I would strongly recommend going with a CO2 tank system. You wont be sorry
,
it lasts a long time and is cheeper in the long run than the hagen system.


"Cammie" wrote in message
...
Anyone have a Hagen CO2 Plant System?

I purchased one of these and would like to talk to someone that also has
one.