Hey Dave,

Thanks for the info. I currently have a 65 watt compact fluorescent light
which has a 10,000K and 460nm Actinic side to it.

Since I used this in my 29 gallon, I have it sitting on top of my 55 gallon
right now, but will be getting the 130 watt 48" light tomorrow by UPS.

Regarding fertilizer; I never was much one for wanting to fertilize plants.
I was hoping I could get away without using fertilizer because it is already
pretty costly to keep this tank up and running. I haven't used fertilizer
before and my plants really seem to do good, but only lately they have
really slowed down. That is why I didn't know if it was because I am using
sand now instead of rock (harder for the plants to get nutrients since
everything stays on top of the sand).

I did go home on my break a little bit ago. When I left, the bell was about
half-full with Co2. When there on my break, it had reduced to about 1/4 so
it does seem to be taking it in.

I think I found the reason why my Co2 isn't making too much.. and it is
because I keep my house at about 68 degrees (heating is expensive). Because
it is cool in the house, the yeast isn't producing much at all. I placed
both bottles in a gallon bucket filled with really hot water, and the rate
of bubbles went to about two per second. So, I just need to get a big
container (like my 10 gallon tank sitting around), fill it with water, and
put a cheapo heater on it.

Brian S.

"David Erickson" wrote in message
...
...so I guess you *do* know about this news group, eh Brian? ;^)

I tried a similar kind of CO2 injection system in my tank. I have gotten
best results with a small CO2-filled pressure tank and a
solenoid-controlled
regulator. I have had excellent luck with a product called the "CO2 Power
Reactor" to dispense the CO2. See http://www.azgardens.com/newCO22.php
and
http://www.aquatic-store.com/en-us/dept_27.html It operates on the same
timer as the CO2 pressure tank's solenoid, and I run them both *only when
the lights are on*.

As I mentioned before, I use sera florena liquid plant fertilizer. My
substrate is also sand, specifically, "Filter Media" from Tec Minerals of
Eagle Lake, TX. The bags say, "For above ground and in-ground pools with
sand filter systems."

I have found that the most important aspects of a successful planted tank
are

(1) a decent substrate, which it sounds like you have,

(2) regular, complete fertilization, and sera florena has worked well for
me,

(3) CO2 as described above (check the pH either with a meter or a test
kit),

(4) proper water hardness, which you must also monitor (see
http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/CO2/), and of course,

(5) adequate lighting. I use a set of 5000K and 6400K fluorescents that
turn on and off in a cascading fashion to try to imitate a dawn-to-dusk
cycle. This probably pleases me more than the plants and fish!

Apologies to those of you who find my descriptions above to be too
simplistic.

Best of luck to you Brian,

David


"Brian S." wrote in message
news:YQzkd.18828$V41.13907@attbi_s52...
OK, another topic on Co2.

So, I have 2, 3-liter bottles cooking up the good ole yeast fermenting
sugar.

I have both connected to a T-connector and then the line goes into a
plastic, rectangular bell container that comes with Jungle's Co2 Fizz
Factory.

The instructions on the Fizz Factory says to submerge the bell container
just below the level of the water. However, I got to thinking, that by
possibly putting it further down in the water, say a few inches from the
bottom, that the water pressure would be greater and cause the Co2 to
dissolve quicker.

But, it doesn't appear to be working. Both the 3-liter bottles are on
their
last leg and need to be energized, but I am only getting about one bubbl
e
per 10 seconds into the bell container. When I empty the bell container
from all built-up Co2, the next day the bell container is almost full
again,
like it is not dissolving into the water.

So, what do you all think? Would it be best to put the holding unit
just
below the water level, or further down in the tank?

My plants have been 'sleeping' lately and haven't been growing at all,
but,
that could also be due to the fact I changed from gravel to sand
recently
too.

Brian S.