co2 question

ffffrf

Hagen Plant Grow Natural System with CO2

do you guys think this is a good budget co2 system

E46er

the LFS has that as far as i can tell its just yeast sugar tablets you drop in basically the same thing as mixing sugar an yeast in a 2L pop bottle

Jay

We have discussed this before on the forum, you might want to do some searches. (<- that is not a criticism, just more on "there is more to it than some CO2 gas)

In moderately to heavily planted tanks inconsistent, low, or poor Gas Circulation, combined with high light and insufficient PO4 will trigger some nasty algae...including BBA.

The product ffffrf posted, will not provide consistent or sufficient CO2 levels in a larger tank. You need to be in the 30 ppm range.

Regards,
Jay

E46er

yea i mentioned lower in the post inconsistant co2 and algae growth. actually it was you and I who were discussing it
just saying IME (which has been really short) excel or pressurized with solenoid valve seems to be the 2 choices without future headaches

andysutt

I'm just going to try the Excel.

The Fizzfactory or the DIY thing seems to risky and I dont like algae.

andysutt

I just sent the wife to LFS to get the Excel

They had Seachem Flourish but it didn't say Excel on it. Im assuming it's the same thing as when I searched on Ebay some said Excel and some didn't on the listing.

Its a brownish color. Add a capful per 60 gallons it said. I gave them a good dose and will go by the directions on it.

Would it hurt to give them a dose daily for a week, then go to 2 doses a week per the bottle, or should I just stick w/ the bottle directions?

E46er

ah actually seachem flourish is a mixture of micro elements needed

the entire seachem plant line of products is flouish (something)
http://www.seachem.com/products/planted.html

andysutt

Yea, on the website they had Flourish and a Iron one... I told her not to get the Iron one.

Mine just says Flourish.... no iron or nitrogen or anything

FilteredFun

It may end up costing you the same amount in one year to dose with excel rather than spending the $250 on the C02 system.

[Q] If one were to choose a CO2 system, what are the highly regarded systems, brands, and/or designs?

[Q] After the initial $250 set-up cost, how often do you refill/recharge the CO2 canister, and what does that cost?

Many Thanks!
Matt

P.S. I am trying to decide which option to choose:

Flourish Excel, a CO2 system, or both ...

andysutt

Well obvioulsy the best would both.

I've had good results w/ the Flourish.

the Co2 Refill would depend on your size of the tank and how you have it regulated. The actual refill isnt all that much however.