This is not really a question, unless someone has some specific advice, or
sees something wrong with what I'm doing here.

I have been using DIY CO2 in my 55g tank, heavily planted, 2wpg, for quite a
while. I just could not keep the pH stable. I was quite worried about
swings from 6.4 to 7.4 and the like, affecting the fish. The CO2 worked
great, it would just go up fast and down fast.

Over the past 2-3 weeks I simply did not replace the CO2 mix. I watched
carefully to see how high the pH would go, and it stabilized at 7.6.
Hopefully it will remain stable. Phyl at (the now "no longer")
TrueAquariumPlants said that I did not really need/have to have CO2, but I
wanted to try it. My plants are doing well, (in some cases too well
grin), so.... that's about it. Oh... KH is 4-5.

I do want to add that this ng is and has been a great help to me, and a
wealth of knowledge. I appreciate that. I also appreciate the efforts of
those of you who send out plants for only the fair s/h.

best to all,

bob

"Bob A" wrote in message
...
This is not really a question, unless someone has some specific advice, or
sees something wrong with what I'm doing here.


No reason why it shouldn't remain stable. However, you might consider trying
one of those Hagen yeast based systems - its designed for a much smaller
tank (15G) & so will not give you very high levels of CO2 in your 50G tank &
therefore not really affect the ph that much. I bought one a while ago to
put on a small tank (10G) which is now empty so 3 or 4 weeks ago I put it on
my 50 (USG). The plants were doing OK in there without it but there is no
doubt that its made a significant difference.

Any extra CO2 in the water is good and will make a difference.....

If you don't want to buy the hagen kit then you could persist with your DIY
but slow it down by adding some Calcium Carbonate (Baking Soda) to the mix
(in fact you get this with the Hagen kit - they call it stabiliser!).

You could also introduce some more surface turbulence via an Airstone or
redirecting a filter outlet to ensure that the levels of CO2 in the tank
stay lower - if you achieve that then your Ph will not swing about so much.

HTH

I.

Bob,

Depending on the fish load, light intenstity, and the natural balance
established in the tank you may not need CO2 at all. Even the light
doesn't need to be specific Kelvins or wave lengths.

Mechanical circulation is something optional too, believe it or not.

And yes the plants will do very (or even extremely well) under such
"primitive" conditions.

You will not be able to grow all plants though. And it takes time for
such a tank to establish. But it is possible. I have done it and
many people do it with small tanks that they don't want to tinker too
much with because of strong light, CO2, and ferts.

The bottom line in this hobby is "Are the plants doing great?". Not
"Is the light (CO2, ferts, ferts) great?"

--Nikolay

I agree with you Nikolay, from my experience so far. What I've done is cut
back on the ferts and lighting duration, since there is no "extra" CO2. So
far, so good.

thanks!

bob

"nikolay_kraltchev" wrote in message
om...
Bob,

Depending on the fish load, light intenstity, and the natural balance
established in the tank you may not need CO2 at all. Even the light
doesn't need to be specific Kelvins or wave lengths.

Mechanical circulation is something optional too, believe it or not.

And yes the plants will do very (or even extremely well) under such
"primitive" conditions.

You will not be able to grow all plants though. And it takes time for
such a tank to establish. But it is possible. I have done it and
many people do it with small tanks that they don't want to tinker too
much with because of strong light, CO2, and ferts.

The bottom line in this hobby is "Are the plants doing great?". Not
"Is the light (CO2, ferts, ferts) great?"

--Nikolay

Agreed. I have recently ditched mine too and enjoy the slower growth. The
maintenance was killing me.

It's a 25 gallon tank with ~2WPG.


"nikolay_kraltchev" wrote in message
om...
Bob,

Depending on the fish load, light intenstity, and the natural balance
established in the tank you may not need CO2 at all. Even the light
doesn't need to be specific Kelvins or wave lengths.

Mechanical circulation is something optional too, believe it or not.

And yes the plants will do very (or even extremely well) under such
"primitive" conditions.

You will not be able to grow all plants though. And it takes time for
such a tank to establish. But it is possible. I have done it and
many people do it with small tanks that they don't want to tinker too
much with because of strong light, CO2, and ferts.

The bottom line in this hobby is "Are the plants doing great?". Not
"Is the light (CO2, ferts, ferts) great?"

--Nikolay