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Hey All,

I've been considering adding CO2 to my 23g tank for a while (currently using Excel), and I think I'm ready to take the plunge. The main impetus is my chain swords - they grow ok (sending out runners) but they just don't look green/lush enough and some leaves continue to have persistent transparent spots. I'm currently only running 40w PC light even though I have 2x40w bulbs because I don't want to have such high light without a constant source of CO2.

I'll probably end up going with a DIY solution like this Red Sea kit (mostly for the small powered diffuser that it comes with) since this is my first try at CO2 (also the thought of having a pressurised gas bottle in the presence of a 2yo toddler makes me cringe ). I should be able to replenish it with my own sugar/yeast solution.

The thing is, I'm going to be out of town for at least 3 weeks during Christmas. Would it be ok to leave a DIY solution running during the time or would it be better to turn it off? If I take it out, how would the plants react if they're already used to added CO2 for a month? Would they just grow more slowly like now (without added CO2)? The other obvious option is to postpone the whole CO2 setup until after the new year (I might be able to get something cheaper/better in Singapore/Indonesia during that time also).

Any thoughts? Thanks heaps!

Last edited by upikabu at 27-Oct-2005 00:36

-P

Whether or not it DIY or pressurised I'd switch it off for such a long vacation. Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt, it ain't pretty.

With only Co2 going in for the vacation period and no other dosing you get double the headaches. The plants will continue their fast Co2 enriched growth for a week or so then all the nutrients bottom out and the algae moves in. Result you come back to an overgrown algae filled mess.

Trying to add heavy doses before you leave to carry over the 3 weeks doesn't work.

Even with Auto doser for ferts it's still not a good idea as the tank will overgrow very quickly blocking light and the plants suffer anyway.

Unless you have somebody who can dose AND trim while your away, forget it.

Best bet is to turn off Co2 keep light lowish 1-2 wpg. This will basically slow everything down and put the plants into an almost suspended animation state. You'll come back to far less problems.

Give a good trim before you go for any stems so as they have a bit to go before they hit the surface and start blocking light.

Your best bet may be to wait. If you can get a gas cylinder in Aus I can point you in the direction of a comlete set of Co2 equipment (regulator, reactor etc) in Jakarta for about $60 US. You can get the cylinder here cheap too, but it may be a bit bulky/dodgy to carry back.

Singapore has some small pressurised tanks available. Remind to give you the adresses !

---

Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Well i dont know about buying one I just made one out of two bottles and a tube and an air stone and its working well, matter of fact two well, i had to pull the reactor out of the water a litte because the ph in the tank dropped from 7.4ish give or take to 6.8 and it happend fast... to fast probably. I am going to get a valve tomarrow but i am not sure how much is too much at this point.

So I defenantly see your reservations with your going on vacation, and though I dont have much of an answer I am sure you will get one I have found nothing but help since i started comming around this page.

Thanks a lot, Bernard. I guess you have BTDT.
I've asked my cousin to stop by once or twice a week to feed the fish while I'm gone, but she definitely can't stick her hand in!

Do you think I should give her instructions to add ferts (NPK & Micros) in at the same time? I could leave the proper doses in little ziploc bags, as I'm planning to do the same with the fish food anyway. But I'm not sure if ferts will be necessary, since the tank won't be getting any Excel during the period.

BTW, should I keep the lights on for 10 hours a day while I'm gone, or reduce the duration (e.g. to 8 hrs?). All my tanks are low light (less than 2wpg).

Anyways, I think I'll wait until next year before fiddling with CO2. I'm so excited to see what's available in Spore/Jkt! I'll probably get in trouble if I try to bring a gas cyclinder on the plane though!

Thanks again!




-P

If you're not putting in Excel I wouldn't dose anything else.

Just normal regular dose before you leave.

Been thru this a few times by far the biggest mess I came back to was when I left the co2 on, and that was only for 10 days.

---

Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.