co2 is mostly affected by surface turbulence; keep the output of any filters
from disturbing the surface too much. the top isn't going to have that much
effect. perhaps a little.

don't worry about it.

jtm

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"SlimFlem" wrote in message
news:6ruR9.553922$P31.188577@rwcrnsc53...
OK, one last question for now...based on another thread I started about
removing the glass tops from the aquarium which I have done and really like,
how does this affect CO2 escaping? What about when you add some DIY jugs?
Will the lack of tops negate the benefit of the injected CO2? How does
water evaporation and water temperature affect CO2 amounts?

Thanks.

"Jim Miller" wrote in message
...
i've currently got a 46oz bottle which i use 1.5 cups sugar and a half
teaspoon of yeast and a pinch of baking soda in. i don't worry much about
the proportions since it always runs for a bit less than two weeks and i
just change it when i do my bi-weekly water changes. i'm sure if i cared
to
i could optimize this but it just isn't worth it to me.

i used to check my co2 levels daily until i decided they don't go too high
and they just dwindle away when the bubble rate gets too low.

i run my co2 directly into the intake of my system3 which is really
simple.
i was fiddling around with diffusers and had settled on the Rena 2" when i
discovered that the System3 impeller did a sufficient job with nothing
additional in the tank. the rena was definitely better however. i tried
limewood diffusers and a variety of "airstones" but the rena was by far
the
best. it produced a pretty mist of bubbles; very nice. now that i've got a
different plant arrangement in the tank i may actually go back to using
it.
if you decide to use the rena make sure to trim the little rubber gasket
lip
at the top since it tends to collect some of the mist into larger bubbles.

my system 3 is three gallons. i suspect that you'll want a better
diffusion
mechanism as well as a 64oz or multiple 64oz bottles if you don't have a
efficient diffuser. the one sold by aquatbotanic looks to be a great way
to
go for a larger tank such as yours. i'd stagger the start times for your
bottles and change them every other week.

good luck

jtm

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"SlimFlem" wrote in message
news:8yrR9.552192$P31.184467@rwcrnsc53...
"use the minimum necessary to start co2 production at a comfortable
level."

Jim, what is your minimum level mixture and what size tank do you have?
How
many bottles do you use at once to give a comfortable level? How often
are
you checking PH?

Thanks,