How long does it last

[bradac56]

Originally Posted by daverockssocks

DIY won't cut it in a 60 gallon tank so lower the light levels

I agree any tank over 30gal is to big for diy to be effective without *allot* of work. I'd ether go low-light or buy a pressurized kit, your looking at around $200 without the tank (sumo post body kit and a reg for around $50).

- Brad

[C2C]

where can you find that price

[sewingalot]

I started out with diy on my 55 gallon and had great success. Granted, I only had 2 x 65 pc watts, but they were on for 10 hours a day and I had successful growth and pearling with little to no algae. My blyxa grew like a weed, the downoi also did and this was all in flourite as well.

Honestly, it wasn't a lot of work - we are talking a drill, some tubing and a couple 2 liters to make the contraption. Then you just make a new yeast mixture every week or so. It took only a few minutes every week. Sometimes, I still wish I never went to pressurized on this tank. I had more success with a medium light fixture, mixing up the co2 and watching my plants grow. Take it slow, learn with yeast and go forward if you prefer. Make it fun, experiment with the yeast mixtures, times between yeast and such. And you'll have a since of pride in the fact you did it all diy.

And for more proof of diy co2 on larger tanks, check out Mark's journal for some beautiful inspiration:
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/544592-post53.html

[bradac56]

Sumo's post body kit is $165.00 and will get you everything but the regulator. I just bought a Victor CGA320-32 reg on ebay for $55 from 'ale-outlet' that's $220 for everything you would need except the cylinder and greenleaf has a 10lb'er for $99 if you can't find it locally (which would be cheaper).

- Brad

[C2C]

OK so much information
let me get this straight
no co2 i should be fine with 2x65 watt pc for java fern, mosses, anubias, dwarf sag, jungle vals, and anachris

[sewingalot]

Originally Posted by C2C

OK so much information
let me get this straight
no co2 i should be fine with 2x65 watt pc for java fern, mosses, anubias, dwarf sag, jungle vals, and anachris

Are you using excel? If so, yes. If not, I'd expect algae. By the way, excel will melt vals, so acclimate slowly.

[C2C]

omg yea it does...i will be dosing with excel. acclimate it by doing half doses? or less? and slowly building it up to full doses?

[bradac56]

Originally Posted by C2C

OK so much information
let me get this straight
no co2 i should be fine with 2x65 watt pc for java fern, mosses, anubias, dwarf sag, jungle vals, and anachris

Correct as long as you dose excel and maybe GH Booster on your occasional big water changes your good to go with low-light.

- Brad

[sewingalot]

Originally Posted by C2C

omg yea it does...i will be dosing with excel. acclimate it by doing half doses? or less? and slowly building it up to full doses?

I would go slowly. Try 1/4 dose for a week, then 1/2 dose a week or so and then go full strength. I melted vals with one full dose overnight.

[C2C]

ok ill do the partial doses of excel with african cichlid buffer
is there anyother tall low light plants that fill space like vals

[sewingalot]

Originally Posted by C2C

ok ill do the partial doses of excel with african cichlid buffer
is there anyother tall low light plants that fill space like vals

I am sorry, I just saw your post. I am linking you to this since it gives a lot of options for background plants: http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_...=5&filter_by=4 However, one that comes to close is Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae And this plant seems to respond well to excel!

Hope this helps you.