"netDenizen" wrote in message
...
chaz wrote:
Hi, I am new here, and have a question about planting my tank:

I have an 80 galon freshwater thats been going on for about 4 years. I am
trying some plants but have never been real successful.

I have a twin tube floro light with plant bulbs.

If I was going to install a co2 system without breaking the bank, which
one
would you suggest? I recall making one from a soda bottle years ago but
it
didnt seem to make a diffference.

I am not opposed to DIY at all.

I have also seen a product called carbo plus, but dont know enough about
the
"science" to know if it's snake oil or not.

Thanks

chaz




There's good plant information on the krib website:
http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/ .

Two fluorescent tubes would be 80 watts maximum, unless you have something
special. General wisdom is, to use 1.5 or more watts per gallon of light;
I have 5 tubes (200 watts) on a 90 gallon and it works quite well. No CO2
yet - bought a carbo-plus but took it back after googling groups on this
item.

Besides adding more light, you'll want to plant LOTS of cheap bunch plants
etc at first. You'll also likely want to dose potassium nitrate, available
from hydroponics stores and now also the aquarium store. Big Al's stores
in Canada carry a N-P-K liquid that seems promising - but I'm still using
home-brew. Please also see the krib for fertilizer information.

Good luck! Plants make the aquarium more like a real aquatic world, imo.


I am looking at a new light, please see these specs

*********two 65W bulb 12000K DAYLIGHT & two 65W actinic BULB a total of 260W
**********

What do you think? I would replace my existing hood since I dont want to
take up my accesss point.

chaz