Ismart120 Posted June 12, 2011 Report Share Posted June 12, 2011 Hi guys, Looking at setting up co2 on a juwel 180 (when eqc comes through), what is out there and what do people have for similar sized tanks? I'd rather have a pressurized system if possible, although there doesn't seem to be much out there? The fluval systems look to have a fairly high upkeep cost and I'm not sure how long a 88gm bottle would last anyway. Looking to be growing crypts mainly with some ferns, anubias and mirco swords (ideally) and anything else people suggest. Anything at this point would be good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwiplymouth Posted June 12, 2011 Report Share Posted June 12, 2011 You can grow crypts, ferns and anubias very successfully without co2 in fact many crypts don't like the pH swings created by the co2 and are prone to melt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ismart120 Posted June 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2011 Thats why I thought a pressurized system would be better, more consistent pH level if I've read right. What about the growth rate though? Wont that benefit from co2 addition? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-obstacle Posted June 12, 2011 Report Share Posted June 12, 2011 I purchased a second hand co2 fire extinguisher off trademe and an Up Aqua co2 regulator with solenoid off ebay and I'm all set. Cost less that $200 all up and should last a few months at 2-4bps before needing re-filling. I can highly recommend going down this route if you can find a second hand extinguisher in test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwiplymouth Posted June 12, 2011 Report Share Posted June 12, 2011 I was assuming that you will be using a regulator with a solenoid valve to turn off the co2 at night when it isn't needed? If so you can expect a Ph swing of about 1 degree between day and night. Its this Ph swing that some crypts don't like. Anubias is a slow grower and does better in my low light, no added co2 tanks. All of my java ferns grow just as well if not better in my no added co2 tanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ismart120 Posted June 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2011 True - hadn't thought of the night pH shift - how would having an air stone turn on/ reducing the bubble rate at night work? If not the co2, what else can be done to speed/increase up the crypts growth? (Assuming a substrate fert and regular water changes) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwiplymouth Posted June 12, 2011 Report Share Posted June 12, 2011 I grow wendtii and a few other crypts in my co2 injected tanks but they grow just as well in my other tanks. I have always had trouble with Balansae in co2 tanks but my co2 tanks also have high light levels which could also be a negative factor. With a bit of luck supasi will see this thread, he's the crypt expert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ismart120 Posted June 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2011 ok, thanks. What do you mean by high levels though? I'm assuming high co2? and @ the obstacle: thanks for the idea - I'll look into that, just might wait until I'm not wanting to grow crypts. =) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted June 12, 2011 Report Share Posted June 12, 2011 Balansae prefers harder water which is usually the opposite to what your everyday planted tanks have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwiplymouth Posted June 12, 2011 Report Share Posted June 12, 2011 ok, thanks. What do you mean by high levels though? I'm assuming high co2? I was talking about light levels. My co2 injected tanks have high wattage MH lighting. Probably not ideal for crypts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-obstacle Posted June 12, 2011 Report Share Posted June 12, 2011 I was talking about light levels. My co2 injected tanks have high wattage MH lighting. Probably not ideal for crypts Although - my crypts are doing ok under my MH lamps. They're extremely temperamental though so I wouldn't be surprised if they one day decided to melt off and never come back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ismart120 Posted June 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2011 Sweet ok, general consensus that co2 isn't needed for crypts if I go that path? I kept them before the earthquakes (talk about crypt melt) and had some really nice large ones that were producing offshoots every few weeks and would love to get back up to that asap when I get a new tank. Come to think of it, if too much lighting is not so good for them, does that mean the t5's in the juwel vision 180 would be fine as is then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted June 12, 2011 Report Share Posted June 12, 2011 My crypts pearl with CO2. All plants need CO2 in some form or the other. Crypts are quite undemanding but will grow excellently in a hitech tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ismart120 Posted June 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2011 pearling crypts would be cool.... If I've just got the stock 2x 39w t5's in the juwel set up, am I going to have enough light to warrant co2? If not, does anyone know what lights can be added to it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted June 12, 2011 Report Share Posted June 12, 2011 Balansae likes calcium as do the crypts from Sri Lanka as that is the conditions they come from Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted June 13, 2011 Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 I have tried crypts in all sorts of conditions but find they do much better in low tech setups - yes, they will grow slower but they are much less likely to melt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ismart120 Posted June 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 Ok, good to hear. You and aladmin ok? Any fish/tank losses? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nymox Posted June 14, 2011 Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 This is my crude but effective co2 system. Pros are it cost next to nothing. Cons are it takes me about 10 mins every morning to adjust it, and I have to turn it off at night. I defuse it through a ceramic frit which cost me $8 on trademe. I already had the old sodastream machine and 2 bottles but I think you can get them quite cheap. I will get a better system over time, but I have to look at other ways as I don't have a fat wallet at the best of times. My friend is bringing me back the adapter, reg and solenoid from Aussie in about 5 months I can't wait for that. I'm fairly sure that's tortifolia, well I hope it is haha. It's not happy anways but only been in a few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted June 14, 2011 Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 And the award for the most rangi setup goes to...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nymox Posted June 14, 2011 Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 Yay! I had to win something some time! :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-town... Posted June 14, 2011 Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 wow The LOL award will definatly go to you! it made me laugh so hard!!!!!! That thing looks incredibly dangerous. HAHAHAHAHAHA :sml1: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-town... Posted June 14, 2011 Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 Im sorry but I just cant stop looking at it and laughing :sml1: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nymox Posted June 14, 2011 Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 haha nothing dangerous about it, its just co2, airline flies off with too much pressure. Worst case I loose a bottle of co2 Its still co2 Cant fault the effect its had on the plants either. This way there is more expensive setups left for you rich people to buy I shall clear a place on the shelf awaiting my award Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthony law Posted June 14, 2011 Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 where did you learn that setup from..or who.. :roey: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GZ_Loach Posted June 14, 2011 Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 just buy some carbonated water from the supermarket and tip them in during water changes :thup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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