Plantman

Does anyone knows where to get refill for CO2 gas tank in Auckland? how much? i have being using DIY CO2 for awhile. thinking of using dual guage, needle valve and solenoid to control the flow of CO2 for bigger tank. any comment for the planters. Happy New Year!!!

talking about Gold Fisf, does anyone knows of Gold fish that is Herbivorous? my assumption is that, plant is also a food for all fish. the reason the fish are eating it is because the plant is dying and has begin to soften which is a easy meal for the fish. there for proper lighting, CO2 and fertilizer is required. All fishes also like to nibble at the plant for algae or something for food but a good healthy plant would be able to with stand those nibbling from the fish. this also give the impression that the fish is eating the plant which is not true. my conclusion is that the fish is not the problem but the plant is not healthy but decaying. can someone correct me if i am wrong?

CO2 is definately a yes yes for planted tank for strong growth. 100% DIY CO2 is good but there is no way of controling the amount of CO2 entering into the water. Expensive CO2 system uses bubble counter to control the in take. the Nutrafin is also a DIY CO2 with sugar and yeast. they sell it in prepack form and it is readily available in most LFS. the Diffuser is the one that diffuse your CO2 bubble into the water. this diffuser can be control according to the instruction given in the box (range 20 to 180 litres of water in your tank). Most LFS is selling it for lowest $59 and highest $80ish. i bought extra and have decided to clear it. thus selling it for only $49. it is brand new never being open. got a few set left. i can be reach at 021 178 5450. Cheers

Sorry, i did not notice the second page. yes, bubble counter is to establish some sort of control of the amount of CO2 going into your tank. excess CO2 will kill your fish. i have a 300 litres tank with about hundreds of guppies (mostly baby). i am also using two sets of Nutrafin on the same tank. two guppies had died which i believe is due to old age as i do not detect any symptom on the fish. Nutrafin is providing a extremely safe solution by eliminating all those gudget for expensive hobbist like Gas tank (2 or 3 litre), solenoid, gas gaudge, bubble counter, atomizer (or diffuser). those stuff could easily run between $300 to $500. they have calculated that one set is enough to go for a 180 litre tank of water. if you follow this rule, you are very safe from having excess CO2. i choose to run two set because i have used the expensive set before and i believe that my tank will need two sets as i have lots of plant in it. that is why i believe nutrafin is the most inexpensive set of all other DIY CO2. using a total DIY gudget is fine but if the item are not properly sealed or the mixer content is not right. one will find themselve putting too much unnecessary time. but why not, no pain no gain. therefore, bubble counter is essential for only those using gas tank and solenoid (which uses electricity for it to turn off and on). i have used those before and find the result is almost negligible comp[are to Nutrafin DIY CO2 set. and i can imagine the humogous saving i have. that is why i bought too many Nutrafin DIY CO2 and invite Planter tanker to use it at a lower cost compare to what you have to pay for in LFS. i hope that answer your questions.

Hi Fay the Last picture could be a Echinodorus Schlueteri "Leopard" http://www.tropica.com/default.asp Where did you got your plant from? Might be interested to get one too. Cheers

you can check out in this website http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products/KW ... mdy00.aspx Check also in the "Private Trade And Exchange" Plantman

Beautiful planted tank. with that many plants, you may want to add in CO2 (did not see any CO2 diffuser). the cheapest and effective way is to use Nutrafin DIY CO2. they work just as good as other expensive brand. i bought extra and are selling it at $49 which is less than shop's price (lowest i heard is $59, some $80). let me know if you wants it and i will add on the cost of P&P to you. Cheers

Hi All i agree with spooky, if you have plant, you have algae. the secret is how to keep it low. i have learn through the hard way as i experience algae boom. the water turn green. that is too much fertiliser and light. Never, never, never use chemical for treatment to get rid of the algae as it will lead to other problem, like hurm you plant too. three things i have to watch out for: regular water change, sufficient fertilizer w/ iron and sufficient CO2. i am currently running a vitron UV light throught the water. i never had an algae problem ever since and my fish do not have any bacteria problems. (i lose alot of fish to disease.) I am also running two set of CO2 numtrafin in my 300 litre tank for 3 months now. there is always bubbles in my tank as the plant photosynthesized. i bough extra and wanting to sell it below fish shops price. let me know if you are interested. all the best.

i agreed with Ballistic, why change when you are doing well. i also assume you have good lighting and are using an approriate fertilizer. all fertilizer can contribute to algae growth if not use according to instruction. i knew it because i experience green algae water. i have to use UV light to treat it and it now gone. do you believe it, i try out not using any root fertilizer and CO2 but with good light (36W. PL Tube), my sword plant grow like crazy. maybe is the fish waste or unuse fish food. i am not sure. other plant may not be so hardy. i do not know who you get your advise from, i sometime test the knowledge of the staff in the shops. some time, they are quick disappointing. they cannot even tell the different type of fish let along the plant needs. BUT most has good knowledge. Flourish fertilizer is good as i had used it before. i once had a lot of ugly hair algae and i double dose with this fertilizer and with good lighting, the algae is gone. another reason for algae is not because of the fertilizer but because the plant is weak and are not strong enough to resist against the parasites (algae). another reason could be that the water is not change regularly (once a week or once a two week). Florish fertilizer has Organic carbon that simulate CO2. i use a lot of nutrafin DIY CO2 which is very effective. i have bought extra and if you light i can sell it to you for $49. it is brand new and outside retail at $80ish. the one in trademe under Henry is slightly use as i am selling that too. Cheers

Hi Edmond i am at lincoln road, henderson. please call 021 1785450 for more information. to all other question, please ask me questions in the private trade and exchange. thank you

ok, i know where to go now. thank you

Sorry, i am new and i though this forum is for people looking for something or selling something. i am not a shop owner in fact i am a old student (43 year young) studying in a school. my tanks are in my house. anyone is free to call me if they have any questions. if this thread is in the wrong place, please feel free to delete this thread and it will never appear again. thank you very much

All these plants are relative easy to grow. it does not need extra powerful light. it does grow as long as it like. Hygro does produce a nice cross-like "X" shape on the leaf. Green Pine has fine and pleasant leaves. Anbulia is easier to grow than Cabomba and have a nicer green and thinker fine leave. Star grass need a good lighting and it is as if the stars were littering the gravel. YOU CAN BUY AS MANY AS YOU LIKE. THEY ARE $1.00 PER STALK ( ABOUT 4 INCHES LONG PER STALK). All the stalks will grow to many branches. they can be easily cut and plant it in the gravel for it to grow. if you do not specified, i will leave the cutting of the stalk to the buyer. Name: Hygrophila polysperma http://www.tropica.dk/productcard_1.asp?id=050 I will search for their name to get their spec. in the website upon request. This is for tropical tank but if your cold tank has a room temperature around 18 degree, most will be OK. According to the book. Hygro plant can stand temperature from 18 degree to 30 degree C. i am in Henderson and can be reach at 021 178 5450. thank you

it looks like star grass to me too. i have one myself. you should be able to see root growing on the stem. cut below the stem and shove it to the gravel. it will hold. there is no need for the cotton any more. Cheers