CO2 woes

[Rex Grigg]

If you have a kH of 4 and your pH was 5 then you would have had a tank full of dead fish. And I can't believe that DIY would give you a full two point drop in the pH. I don't think I could do that with my pressurized system. And I have very soft water. Out of the tap I have 0 kH and 0 gH. I normally run my tanks at a kH of around 3-4.

[STAT 007]

Originally Posted by ginnie5

I modifeied the lip so that there is not as much surface turbulence...

http://www.plantedtank.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1621

[TekMate]

With the AquaClears you don't have to change the foam inserts I still have one in mine that is 5yrs old I rinse it in old tank water every couple of weeks to clean it. You won't want or need the carbon and other inserts in a planted tank. You could use the carbon if you have to medicate the tank or your tank starts to smell but if your tank starts to smell you have bigger issues.

[RXTrev]

If you go with HOB's just make sure your water is high enough you don't get surface agitation and throw out the carbon inserts and replace them with sponges and filter floss. Canisters...help you get some of the clutter out of the back of the tank. If you're poor, you'll probably be running shop lights so a canister will help you fit more bulbs more easily, but they tend to not flow as much as some of the stronger HOB's so I'd use a powerhead or two to make sure you don't get dead spots.

[Schala]

How will having a canister filter allow me to have more lights?

[d28 boy]

i know, i am the most impatient person in the world when it comes to hobbies such as plant/fish keeping...but many of us have traveled down the road of doing things the cheap way, only to end up with the equipment that the elders told us about years ago. i thought keeping a planted tank was esoteric knowledge for many years, only known by people with endless disposable incomes. but with 3-4 wpg of light, pressurized co2, a good canister, basic fertilizer, and regular water changes, my upkeep costs are minimal these days. i say take your time and start with good equipment.

[d28 boy]

my last post sounded kinda funny after realizing i'm in the diy section! rock on!

[JamesHoftiezer]

HOB filters take up surface space on a tank, where you could have lights. (i.e - canisters filter take up no extra space in the tank so that space can be filled with lights)

Here are some pages I've made with info on CO2 tanks, DIY reactors and I am working on regulators now;
Pressurized CO2

IMHO you should not try to use DIY on more than a 40g tank. In the end it is too much of a hassle for the result. Tanks ar ean investment and as you get into bigger tanks it will cost money to get things going. You can put pressurized CO2 on a tank for $100-150. Most of the expense is one time. After the initial investment you can add as many tanks as you want for just a few $$ more.

[SNPiccolo5]

If you can afford it, go with the 75 gallon, especially if it is cheaper! I have a 55 gallon and the lack of depth in the tank (like you said, they are too skinny) presents quite a dillema in the proccess of aquascaping. A tank that much wider has TONS more potential! Good luck!

-Tim