disconnect co2 at night?

[serbusfish]

Correct. The CO2 will continue to be added to the tank, but the airstone will create enough surface agitation to gas off the CO2 so that it doesn't suffocate the fish overnight. You also won't lose any pressure that way, so when the air-pump turns off the CO2 will go back to dissolving in the tank.

OK great, cheers, now I need to try and find an air pump that is REALLY quiet (my tank is in my bedroom).

Unless you have some strong lighting, CO2 isn't even needed.

What?? I have been told all plants will benefit from having co2, in fact the guy at the store told me to put the co2 in, take a picture, then a week later take another picture to compare because the difference would be that big. He the Dwarf Sagiteria I have will grow much thicker due to co2 being added.

Was it all sales crap? This guy is well known to us and someone I thought was very trustworthy for info.

BTW something im wondering about using this method for co2 is the PH, I will have to refill the container ever 40 or so days, and as it takes 24 - 48 hours for the co2 to build up surely my PH will be all over the place?

[biotsrama]

I'll defer to Lady Hobbs for a more detailed response, but "will benefit from" is different from "needed".

[Greentoads41]

Maybe it's possible the fish guy just didn't know? Give him the benefit of the doubt.
I have a question though, reading these posts. If you have an airstone on during the day with your CO2 operating, will the CO2 still be effective, or will the airstone dissipate it too much?

[Goes to 11!]

I'll defer to Lady Hobbs for a more detailed response, but "will benefit from" is different from "needed".

+1 Indeed.

What?? I have been told all plants will benefit from having co2, in fact the guy at the store told me to put the co2 in, take a picture, then a week later take another picture to compare because the difference would be that big. He the Dwarf Sagiteria I have will grow much thicker due to co2 being added.

Was it all sales crap? This guy is well known to us and someone I thought was very trustworthy for info.

BTW something im wondering about using this method for co2 is the PH, I will have to refill the container ever 40 or so days, and as it takes 24 - 48 hours for the co2 to build up surely my PH will be all over the place?

And now you are being told differntly: CO2 CAN BE a factor - It is not THE ONLY factor and as mentioned without strong lighting you don't even need additional CO2.

In combo with good lighting & ferts, CO2 can be a tremendous boost. CO2 without good lighting and ferts is not going to be what you are expecting at all.
Good lighting and ferts can get you an amazing tank with a LOT fewer headaches than going with CO2. It's all in how much time you want to spend on maintenance in time and money.

If he suggested CO2 without quizzing you about all aspects of your lighting & ferts regimen, I would suggest that either he is either simply a salesman or doesn't actually understand what he is talking about.

Don't worry about your pH. I also wouldn't take the 40 day thing as carved in stone since you are dealing with some variables.

[serbusfish]

I do dose liquid ferts and I have T5 bulbs.

I guess I will run it til it needs refilling and see if it improves my plants growth/looks, if as you say the PH changes are safe for my fish I guess I dont have anything to lose.

Im probably going to have to add a air pump though, im paranoid of waking up one morning to find all my fish dead

[dmagerl]

Here's my opinion. I dont think you need to do anything. There are lots of people who run pressurized CO2 using a Ph controller. The CO2 runs 24/7 and the controller determines the amount of CO2. It doesnt out gas at night because the controller keeps the CO2 level constant. If it doesnt bother them, it shouldnt bother you.

I realize you dont have the same level of control with a DIY system so I would just watch the fish and see how they react. If they're all at the top of the tank gasping in the morning, then you obviously are running too much CO2. But if they dont seem to mind it, then let things be.

Also, all plants can benefit from CO2 no matter what the lighting level is. If you're running high/med light, then CO2 becomes more of a necessity than if you have low light but that doesnt mean it has no effect in a low light tank. If you're having to fertilize, then I'd say some sort of CO2, whether liquid or DIY or pressurized would have some sort of benefit to the plants.

[nikelodeon79]

I diffuse my CO2 using a Duetto in tank filter. It runs on the same timer as my lights. So, when the lights are off, the Duetto is also off, meaning the CO2 isn't getting "chopped up" and more easily escapes out the surface of the tank.

[serbusfish]

Well its been 4 days since setting up the co2 unit and it doesnt seem to be causing a problem for my fish at night, no gasping or any behavior out of the ordinary. So I was wondering how many plants I can have in my tank before it does become a problem? Here is my tank atm:



The red outlined are fake, the rest are real, generally how many more can I expect to get away with before co2 causes problems for my fish? I want to at least replace the red plant at the back as it doesnt really blend well with the live plants around it (IMO).

[Cermet]

Plants canNOT use Co2 at night; plants use oxygen when the lights are off. So, besides being a 100% waste of CO2 in your cylinder, it does stress the fish even if they appear ok. Consider a timer to control the CO2 flow control.

[funkman262]

Plants canNOT use Co2 at night; plants use oxygen when the lights are off. So, besides being a 100% waste of CO2 in your cylinder, it does stress the fish even if they appear ok. Consider a timer to control the CO2 flow control.

It's not pressurized so you can't just shut it off which is why I suggested using an airpump at night.