[koebwil]

I have a 10g with peat moss capped with ecocomplete in the bottom, a marineland reef capable LED on top (18 1w LEDs), and a bunch of RCS 3 CBS 4 harlequins 2 otos and 2 nerites in the middle. It is planted with crypts, DHG, and java moss. I have a bit of filamentous algae which won't go away, so should I get CO2. I haven't had it on a tank before and I am thinking of going the DIY yeast route (at least at first) and getting a drop checker to make sure I am doing it right. Anyone with advice on the setup I would really appreciate it, I just want to research and do this right if I'm going to do it. I'll see if I can borrow a camera to get some pics of this setup later, I don't think they are necessary, but who doesn't like pics?

 

[Kathyy]

I ran a 50 gallon tank with 6xT12s over it for over a year back in the previous century and was very happy with the extremely green jungle I had going. Tried out DIY CO2 and was completely sold in a couple weeks. The short fuzzy green algae that covered the healthy plant leaves didn't grow as well and the plants exploded like I hadn't seen before. Try it, you can always give it up if you don't like it and dim your lights instead.

Later I figured out how to use the other macro nutrients and I am better at growing plants now. You might try getting a hold of the dry salts used in estimative index type fertilizing too. They all go together - plants need light, water, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, iron, magnesium, calcium and a multitude of minor elements for best growth. Lots is in the water used, some is in the substrate, some comes from fish poop but if you are driving your plants with lots of light and carbon then you probably need NPK+micros as well.

 

[koebwil]

I like your advice lady, I'll do it next week. how long was it before you saw results?

 

[Moody636]

I ran a 50 gallon tank with 6xT12s over it for over a year back in the previous century and was very happy with the extremely green jungle I had going. Tried out DIY CO2 and was completely sold in a couple weeks. The short fuzzy green algae that covered the healthy plant leaves didn't grow as well and the plants exploded like I hadn't seen before. Try it, you can always give it up if you don't like it and dim your lights instead.

Later I figured out how to use the other macro nutrients and I am better at growing plants now. You might try getting a hold of the dry salts used in estimative index type fertilizing too. They all go together - plants need light, water, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, iron, magnesium, calcium and a multitude of minor elements for best growth. Lots is in the water used, some is in the substrate, some comes from fish poop but if you are driving your plants with lots of light and carbon then you probably need NPK+micros as well.

Very well put. It is important to look at all aspects instead of focusing on one variable. I've had much more success growing plants and not algae by trying to maintain a balanced tank by providing enough nutrients and co2. I tried DIY co2 for a while, but it was a lot of work and I wound up going pressurized in the end. I did see good results with it though, so I'd recommend giving it a shot and seeing if it's for you.

 

[jl209]

With 18 1w leds I would think c02 would be more necessary than optional. I'm no expert on led lighting though. Diy yeast c02 would work great for a 10 gallon. It shouldn't take more than a week to start seeing good results if your ferts and c02 are in line.

 

[HD Blazingwolf]

i use diy on my 10 gallon with the marineland single bright.. EXCELLENT growth.. u may want a slightly more active mixture than my slow release sinec u have more light

 

[Realistik84]

Its one of those things where - you dont "have" to have CO2 - but there is only good that come from it.

- the obvious is great plant growth.
- The not so obvious is that now that your plats have the other 1/3 of the equation (light, fertilizer being the other 2) they can really maximize the use of the lighting, thus being able to compete with algae in doing so...

You can have all the light in the world...without CO2 it is useless, and only get used by Algae. Now there will always be "some" CO2, allowing Plants to grow slowly.

DIY C02 is very easy, a great start, perfect for 10Gallon, and quite honestly there is not much that can go wrong.

A great article on it exists on this forum, but googling will help. So cheap, easy, yet works.
http://www.plantedtank.net/articles/DIY-Yeast-CO2/7/