Thanks Dave and also Tom... replying to both here... right now I cannot
afford even $100+ for bottled CO2 setup. I had read Dominic's page, and
benefitted from it, but its just not feasible for me now. I kind of enjoy
doing the DIY anyway.
I'm watching them (I do have 2 2L bottles) more carefully now for signs of a
decrease of bubbling. I have them on one of the heat vents on the PC. It
is usually about 76 degrees F in my house anyway (and worrying a bit about
the 80 the tank gets up to in the day too, but just don't have the money for
the fan Leigh has). I usually shake the bottles in the morning, don't know
if that helps much. pH is more stable at the moment.
Dave, do you know what the temp of your bottles is? Or can estimate?
Has anyone thought of one of those magnetic stirrers we used in chem class
labs, to keep the mix agitated?
The algae is growing slowly. I have, twice, done the bleach thing on a
couple of tough-leaved plants. I used a less concentrated solution, for
about two minutes, and the algae turns a pretty white and over about 48
hours is gone. Plants unaffected. My point though, is that it is over two
weeks before algae re-appeared on the first one (its been about a week on
the 2nd and no algae). Does this give any info that might suggest anything
useful?
My brother suggested adding grape juice to the mix, for varied sugars and
vitamins. I've been doing that for a while. It seems to help. I also made
about a liter of wine, aged 4 days, pretty good!
Alcohol doesn't agree
with me though.
thanks much,
bob
"Dave M. Picklyk" wrote in message
. ..
Rex is right...you need 4L. I have 2 X 2L bottles going on our 48 gallon
at
work. The most important part isn't necessarily the recipe...but the heat.
If you can keep the bottles warm all the time you are set. During the day
I
have a low heat halogen light inside a big cardboard box with the bottles
inside. I'm shining the light in the direction of the bottles. It works
great. Right now I'm getting about 35ppm constant for about a week and a
half.
--
Dave Picklyk
www.picklyk.com/aquascape
"Rex Grigg" wrote in message
...
Tom Barr has stated on a couple of occasions that fluctuating CO2
levels will contribute to algae growth. DIY CO2 is possible on a 55
gallon tank but it's not easy. You would need to run at a minimum of
four liters of mix and keep them fresh. You might head over to the
Aqua Botanic forums and read up on using the Jello recipe for DIY CO@,
it seems to give a more consistent output. And consider using wine
yeast instead of bread yeast. If you need K2SO4, and if you have a
planted tank you really do need potassium, head over to
www.litemanu.com and get some. In fact since you have a 55 gallon
tank get a couple of pounds to cut the shipping costs.
On Thu, 3 Apr 2003 08:48:10 -0500, "Bob A"
wrote:
My plants are still growing and thriving (except for rotala wallichii
which
looks sick), and I still have probably 3 types of algae. I have read
numerous articles, and I understand that nutrients (light, co2, ferts)
must
be balanced. I seem to get more understanding from reading replies to
questions here.
Tom Barr advised someone to get his CO2 up and stable a few days ago.
I
have 2wpg in a 55g heavily planted tank. Using DIY CO2. But my CO2
level
(which I measure shortly after lights on) does vary between 10ppm and
20ppm.
My question here is, are fluctuations in CO2 an algae promoter? I was
told
that I didn't have to have CO2 at all unless I wanted a "lush" tank,
and
I
do want one. Would adding a pinch of sodium bicarbonate to the mix
stabilize the CO2 production?
I'm also considering ordering some true SAE's from aquariumfish.net,
which
some people have recommended (Leigh for one, I think). I have read
that
SAE's are a must in planted tanks. I want some Amano Shrimp too. I
have
8
otocinclus. If I order the SAE's I will probably get an Ancistrus too.
Using TMG, K2SO4, Kent RO Right. Was using some KNO3 but at the moment
it
is not being used up. My RO water still has NO3 in it. Tom mentioned
I
think it was KH2SO4, is this important, and if so where can I get some?
Any help greatly appreciated!
bob allred
Semper Fi!
Visit the forums at Aqua Botanic!
http://aquabotanicwetthumb.infopop.cc/#1
Need Nitrate or Potassium for your tank? Go to www.litemanu.com
(Just a happy customer of the above!)