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  L# DIY CO2 Off At Night?
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SubscribeDIY CO2 Off At Night?
renoharps
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male usa
I've just started injecting CO2 into my 29g tank and I was wondering if you should shut off the CO2 supply overnight.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:43Profile PM Edit Report 
bensaf
 
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male ireland
You'll get a lot of opinions on this subject.

Personally I've always left on 24/7 without problems. It's just more convenient for me.

Anyway how would you "shut off" a DIY set-up ?


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.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:43Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Forever-mango
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male australia
I leave my on 24/7 but at night I add oxygen via airpump. I didnt have good success with leaving the oxygen off at night after reading some plant books.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:43Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
FRANK
 
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male usa us-colorado
Hi,
I don't have a solenoid and after adjusting my needle
valve to hold my pH & saturation constant, I'm not
going to turn off the CO2 with it and then try to find
the same spot the next morning... I leave mine on 24/7.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:43Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Untitled No. 4
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Big Fish
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male uk
As someone who does have a solenoid valve, I do turn off the CO2 at night.

Is it better? For my pocket it surely is as now I can use the same CO2 bottle twice as much.

As for the plants and fish, I don't think it makes much difference.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:43Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
renoharps
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male usa
Ok, thanks for the info. I think I'll just leave mine on instead of having to shut it off every night.

Bensaf, to shut it off I simply use a two-way valve. I turn off the valve to the reactor and turn on the other valve which simply vents off the CO2 so pressure doesn't build up in the bottle.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:43Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tankie
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male canada
i have my 2 diy co2 running 24/7 in my 2 tanks...i believe...its better to leave it open to avoid pH flactuation....but, if u see ur fish gasping for air during the nite or before the light turns on in the morning...then...by all means...turn off the co2 or...leave it on and just make more surface agitation.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:43Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
bensaf
 
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Bensaf, to shut it off I simply use a two-way valve. I turn off the valve to the reactor and turn on the other valve which simply vents off the CO2 so pressure doesn't build up in the bottle.


Ahhhhh....I see ! Who's a clever boy then


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.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:43Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
renoharps
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male usa


It's a pain though. I'm still experimenting with the effects of CO2 and whether I need it or not. I'm also messing around with Flourish and NPK. I've picked up a lot of good advice from your threads Bensaf.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:43Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
bensaf
 
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male ireland
Reno,

Well the Co2 is never really needed.

But it's a good idea to experiment with it. You'll get a feel for the different growth rates and reactions of the plants which will definately help you in the future. If you decide it's not for you then that's fine, you'll still have learned a lot.

My only concern with DIY Co2 is that it's really tricky to get a constant 20-30ppm of Co2 which will really make growing easy and keep away the algae.

But as I say it's a learning experience and will give you a better idea of which method is best suited to you.

Good luck


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.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:43Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
czcz
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JMO: I think the diffuser is more important than the mix with DIY. I've got lots of numbers on this if you want them. Bonus here is you can put the powered diffuser on a timer, lowering dissolved CO2 at night. I've gone way over 50ppm with 2*2L in 17g, so think its very possible to get over 30ppm in your volume with yeast CO2.

---
http://justanothertank.com
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:43Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
renoharps
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male usa
I definitely agree on the importance of the diffuser. I've gone through the various bubble diffusers and I am now using a power reactor. Currently, I'm only using one bottle on a 29g and I'm still playing with the mix to get the right bubble count while keeping an eye on my pH and KH.

Bensaf, you posted a thread a while ago with all the recommended levels of NPK, etc. Can you direct me to that thread? I'm having difficulty finding it.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:43Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
bensaf
 
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male ireland
Reno,

Here you go
http://www.sfbaaps.com/reference/barr_02_01.shtml

Listen to Mr. Barr , the man's an aquatic plant genius



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.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:43Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
renoharps
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male usa
Thanks!
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:43Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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