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well chinese new years is comin, so is my report card, i already know i have enough money for a PC light setup and a CO2 system from either hagen or jungle.

i have a few questions:
1. should surface agiation be high or low?
2. how would i decrease surface agiation?
3. do i need an air stone? if not, should i just stick the air tubing into the tank with no stone?
4. how would i clean the gravel of my tank if i have lots of plants?
5. what type of CO2 system gives the best "bang for the buck" because i cannot make a DIY system.
6. should i run my Emperor 280 at a lower setting if i get plants?

Last edited by Azn_Devil at 08-Feb-2005 21:50

Don't get an airstone, first of all. The more the surface is agitated, the more co2 is lost. You dooont want to lose co2, or you're wasting money, too. Run the filter on a slightly lower setting, though with my power filters, I've never known it to be much of a problem. Just keep the tank water up high so that the filter doesnt splash into it.

With a heavily planted tank, skim in between plants and around plants to get waste that may have settled. Don't try to vacuum deep around plants-- you may cut their roots or uproot them, afterall. Just vacuum lightly and gently. The plants should make use of waste beneath the gravel where they are.

As for the best Co2 system-- what size tank do you have?

Hope this helped

Last edited by smantzer at 08-Feb-2005 22:01

Azn_Devil.


Contact Bensaf(Bernard) I know he would only be too pleased to assist you.

You only have to see his tank to see that he knows what he is doing.

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

smantzer: i have a 30g

keithgh: is there a way on this fourm to search for the profile for some one so i can PM them?

thanks for the help

EDIT: i have 130 bucks to spend on things for planting. im gonna keep like 20-30 bucks so i can actually get the plants XD. the rest will go for equipment and ferts.

Last edited by Azn_Devil at 09-Feb-2005 16:49

I can't remember the name of the system right now, I run it on one of my tanks, it works from 5 to 30gs... It's a co2 system that has its own little packs that you mix up, so it's like an easy yeast system, no expensive co2 cylinders or anything... easy to use, affordable (I think mine was $30 or so, I got it at Petsmart). I think someone here might remember the name... crap, there goes my brain.

1)you want as little surface agitation as possible. Surface agitation = CO2 loss
2)don't run airstones, if you have a canister filter, point the spraybar about 45 degrees downwards.
3)why are you running an airstone? airstones are not necessary.
4)if your tank is heavily planted, gravel vac is not necessary.
5)best would be compressed co2 tank, but that system would run you $100+. The hagen CO2 system is basically a DIY sugar/yeast fermentation set-up. The packets are just sugar, yeast and baking soda.
6)not really

Last edited by curvicep at 09-Feb-2005 18:24

thanks for the help.

i want to get a hagen co2 system, but iw as wondering if i could make my own mixture for it and if i could, where would i get instructions to? would i just use the same instructions for the mixture DIY CO2 systems use?

this is great help guys and girls, thanks

Last edited by Azn_Devil at 09-Feb-2005 19:40

Hi Azn_Devil,

Take a look at this site. It may take a little while to load cause of all the graphics, but it's worth the wait

[link=http://www.qsl.net/w2wdx/aquaria/diyco2.html#4]http://www.qsl.net/w2wdx/aquaria/diyco2.html#4" style="COLOR: #000080[/link]

bala shark

AH!

after reading that, i think ill just use the packets hagen sells >.<

Azn_Devil

I dont think you can do a search for a members name I tried for mine and got nothing. I will PM you some info

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

thanks for the info, but i think the people who've replied have already given all the info that i needed

thanks to every one.

ill probably order the stuff tomorrow or next week.

oh yea, do i really need plant ferts? if i do, can i trust the big als ones?

go with Seachem flourish or the more expensive Tropica mastergro. Becareful when fertilizing, don't overdo it or it'll benefit the algae. Don't fert right away, get good lighting and co2 going than see if your plants really need the extra fertilizer. You should go with a rich substrate like flourite before you worry about fertilizing IMO.

bah, well i dont really have the money to change all of my gravel, im just gonna buy another 22lbs of my current regular gravel so i have 2 inches.

my plan so far:
110W 36" All-Glass Power Compact Lighting:
$91.99

Hagen Plant Gro CO2 System:
$21.99

22Lb of Big Al's Natural Black Gravel:
$4.99

Big Al's Multi-Purpose Plant Food Supplement-64 OZ:
$16.99

Sub Total:
$135.96

Shipping:
$10.95

Heavy item shipping:
$7.98

Grand Total:
$154.89

my sis is paying 50 dollars, so ill have just enough money for the stuff and plants.