ah wrote:

I have a 75 gallon tank with about fifteen rainbow fish. I've ordered
CO2 equipment which should arrive this week.

What's the best way to start this up? Do I just run it for brief
periods of time at first, like an hour a day, and gradually build it
up? I don't want to make any massive changes in the tank chemistry at
one fell swoop.

The pressure gauge I got has a solenoid, so I was planning to run on a
timer with the light hood, so the CO2 unit will ultimately be on for
about 9 - 10 hours per day. Mostly, I just don't want to come down
after the first day to discover 15 dead rainbow fish.

Currently, the tank contains several java ferns, two sword plants, a
micro sword, and an anubias.

Any tips from you pros would be appreciated,
Andy


In addition to Nikki's good advice, try an initial setting of 5-10 PSI
on the pressure regulator. The method of using the pressure setting to
adjust flow rate will not provide a stable flow. The needle valve
adjustment is sensitive but usually you can get it to stabilize at a
suitable flow rate.

You can tweak the pressure setting and needle valve many times a day,
to get a specific bubble rate. But give pH most of day before you
readjust. For example: set in morning, recheck in evening.

It is a good practice to use a check valve in the CO2 line between the
bubble counter or needle valve, and the diffuser. I have used the
little black Tetra ones successfully, probably most of them will be
fine. No need to buy expensive CO2 tubing or check valves. It would be
much cheaper to replace with standard air hose and components every 6
months. The soft and flexible silicone tubing is a little easier to
work with than the clear PVC tubing.

--