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Post by babygeige on Jul 12, 2009 16:33:59 GMT -5
I set up my little Hagen CO2 canister today (7/12/09). Here is what the water tested at: Ammonia = 0 Nitrite = 0 Nitrate = 10 pH = 7.6 phosphate = 0 KH = 5 drops, or 89.5 GH = 8 drops, or 143.2
I didn't measure exactly how much sugar or warm water I put in because the directions and what I read online say to use the indicators that are on the inside of the canister, so that's what I did for this first attempt. Baking soda = 3/4 tsp Yeast = a little less than 1/4 tsp.
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Post by babygeige on Jul 12, 2009 16:38:47 GMT -5
Here are the "before" pictures. Hopefully they'll look a little better in a couple of weeks or so. Tank My Vals, which have been slowly dying away. They are what I'm hoping most to help with this project. A sad anubias, which also needs a lot of help. Some of my water wisteria. Here you can see the CO2 bubble diffuser/counter that comes with this kit. It doesn't look too great, but hopefully the plants will eventually grow well enough to cover it up.
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Post by bikeguy33 on Jul 12, 2009 18:51:13 GMT -5
very curious how this goes for you. with cichlids, i have never been able to keep plants....but, maybe i could set up a small tank with co2 and grow snacks....yummy
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Post by babygeige on Jul 13, 2009 21:42:40 GMT -5
Today I counted how many bubbles were coming out. It's about 10 bubbles a minute, which I think is about what I want. The interesting thing will be to see how long this lasts.
I noticed that the bubbles were getting stuck at various points in the ladder, but I read that this is normal and after a few days, the sliminess that coats everything in the tank will form and help move the bubbles along better.
But I think the bubbles are dissolving pretty well as the go along the ladder since we can actually see them get smaller as they go up.
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Post by kagome on Jul 13, 2009 22:08:41 GMT -5
I have always wanted to know with the CO2 generators, how does yours work? How do you know you aren't putting too much CO2 in the water? And what about at night when the plants switch from CO2 to oxygen? Couldn't that be dangerous? I must put in a disclaimer that I know nothing about this really and so if my questions are dumb I apologize.
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supi
Full Member
Posts: 66
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Post by supi on Jul 13, 2009 22:38:55 GMT -5
I am going to be following along with your CO2 adventures too.
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Post by Carl on Jul 14, 2009 12:38:11 GMT -5
I have always wanted to know with the CO2 generators, how does yours work? How do you know you aren't putting too much CO2 in the water? And what about at night when the plants switch from CO2 to oxygen? Couldn't that be dangerous? I must put in a disclaimer that I know nothing about this really and so if my questions are dumb I apologize. CO2 generators can be quite basic such as this one that BG is using (by Hagen) or the Sander Floramat from Germany. Or they can be quite advanced such as the pressurized systems that can run $100s of dollars. I have some information about them in this article: Aquarium Plant Care; the use of CO2 GeneratorsCarl
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Post by babygeige on Jul 16, 2009 14:45:05 GMT -5
I have always wanted to know with the CO2 generators, how does yours work? How do you know you aren't putting too much CO2 in the water? And what about at night when the plants switch from CO2 to oxygen? Couldn't that be dangerous? I must put in a disclaimer that I know nothing about this really and so if my questions are dumb I apologize. Mine is just a little canister that you put sugar, yeast, baking soda, and warm water into and mix up. Attach airline to the top of the canister. The other end of the airline is connected to the bottom of the ladder that you see in the above picture. The fermentation makes CO2 bubbles, which go up the ladder and diffuse in the water as they ascend. I don't really worry about too much co2 causing a problem for the fish. It doesn't really generate that much. I am keeping tabs on the KH and PH. Co2 will cause them to drop, so I don't want to shock the fish with that. So far I'm not having a problem with that.
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Post by babygeige on Jul 16, 2009 14:46:43 GMT -5
Today: 9 bubbles per minute pH: still 7.6 KH: 5 drops GH: 7 drops
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Post by kagome on Jul 17, 2009 0:14:11 GMT -5
Thank you Carl and BG for your replies. Carl, I can't believe I have somehow managed to miss that article. I thought I had read them all at least once. How often does the baking soda/yeast mixture have to be changed out?
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Post by babygeige on Jul 17, 2009 11:15:22 GMT -5
Most people that I've read have to change theirs about every 2-3 weeks or so. It seems to vary quite a bit. I'll just count the bubbles in mine every day for the first 2 or 3 batches and see what I get.
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Post by babygeige on Jul 20, 2009 14:41:01 GMT -5
Today's results: 7 bubbles per minute pH: 7.6 KH: 5 drops GH 8 drops
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Post by Carl on Jul 20, 2009 15:07:55 GMT -5
Today's results: 7 bubbles per minute pH: 7.6 KH: 5 drops GH 8 drops Have you tested your CO2 level yet? Any improvement in the plants yet? Did you add the Root Tabs too? Sorry for all the questions BG (Stephanie) Carl
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Post by babygeige on Jul 20, 2009 20:07:58 GMT -5
I still have to get a CO2 tester. Don't ask me why I didn't just order one last time I got stuff from you! That would have made too much sense. So that will have to wait until I get to the lfs to see if they have one, or for my next order from you. I actually think I do see some improvement in the plants. Not so much in the Vals as the Water Wisteria. The WW seems to be getting some new shoots on a few of the plants. And the crypts also have some new stems coming up. It's only been a week so far, so we'll see... I got Root Tabs on Friday. Petsmart is actually not carrying them anymore, so I got the one they had left really cheap, 2.69! I hope that I will still be able to find them elsewhere. They had some API brand ones too, but they are smaller and only last a month. The girl said they were also going to stop carrying those as well.
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Post by Carl on Jul 26, 2009 11:11:43 GMT -5
Not to seem like a salesman (not my intension on this forum), but I still have the SeaChem Root Tabs available the next time you do place an order. Carl
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Post by babygeige on Jul 28, 2009 22:47:59 GMT -5
Yeah, I was hoping you'd still carry them. When we left Petsmart, I told my mom that I didn't know what I'd do if you stopped too! I tried another Petsmart over the weekend to see if they still had any for super cheap, but they were all gone. I'm set for a little while yet as far as they go, but I haven't had any luck with the CO2 test kit, so I'll be sending in an order in the next few weeks. I have to wait for a paycheck from the new job. We get paid every 2 weeks, and of course, my starting date happened to be timed so I have to wait until August 20th for a paycheck!
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Post by babygeige on Jul 28, 2009 22:50:34 GMT -5
I made another batch of yeast stuff on Sunday, the 26th. I used the same recipe that I used before.
Thy water wisteria are still getting some nice new shoots, and I think the Vals are starting to show some signs of improvement. When I was at the lfs on Saturday, I picked up some Red Narrow Leaf Ludwigia. Unfortunately I haven't had time to plant them yet. They've been in a bucket ever since. Hopefully tomorrow!
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Post by Carl on Jul 29, 2009 9:20:10 GMT -5
Nice to read you are showing new plant growth Stephanie I do not know if it is the root tabs or the CO2, but suspect it is a little of both that is helping. Carl
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Post by babygeige on Jul 30, 2009 21:33:20 GMT -5
I've been slacking off keeping track of everything this week. The bubbles are consistent at 9 bubbles a minute, but I need to do a pH and KH test this weekend.
The WW is still growing new branches. They look so green and healthy compared to the old branches.
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supi
Full Member
Posts: 66
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Post by supi on Jul 30, 2009 23:33:37 GMT -5
Glad to hear your plants are doing well. It is great to have lush aquarium plants.
Did you get your narrow red leaf Ludwigia planted?
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