This Is Not Golf
Hi Pat,
First things first, this is a hobby, it should be a stress reducer not increaser, we have golf for stress increaser, no need to create extra stress in other areas of your life.
Figure an honest budget and remember the biggest cost is ongoing expenses; often extra spent up front can reduce overall cost.
There are a couple of ways of approaching this, you sound like a jump in with both feet kind of guy, I like that.
Do you own any of the stuff yet? If so, what? Please be specific.
Are you a gardener, container or otherwise? How much experience with plants?
How ‘handy’ are you? How comfortable are you with hand tools and so forth? Do you have access to tools?
Where do you live? Any weird laws or restrictions? Are there big box stores around, Lowes, Home Depot, Harbor Freight and so forth?
And mainly is your wife onboard with this?
You mentioned she wanted brown gravel my recommendation is brown gravel. It may end up being sand blasting shot, but it will be brown.
Do you and more importantly your wife have a picture or image of what you want?
Do not sweat the substrate layers no layers, you will do just fine. The type of plants you have talked about are going to want an enriched substrate, capped with brown stuff.
Frankly, the pressurized CO2 system is not a place to scrimp on quality, especially for someone starting out. Make sure you understand the elements that go into a quality system, you may find the elements less expensive, but do not compromise on quality. Philosophos is correct regarding the discussion going on now http://www.barrreport.com/showthread.php?t=6470.
So granted Rex “born in heaven, trained in hell, shuttled around by squids, butt kicked up the hill by a Ranger” Griggs may be lower than whale poop, the man does know his pressurized CO2 stuff and that is the objective. Rex’s website also has some great information on ‘building’ your own system.
I am not trying to be nosy, that comes naturally! The idea is to figure out what you want and get it done (well) for a reasonable investment. The general trade is time for money.
If you have not done so, please read seven these stickys http://www.barrreport.com/forumdisplay.php?f=67.
Biollante
Hi Pat,
First things first, this is a hobby, it should be a stress reducer not increaser, we have golf for stress increaser, no need to create extra stress in other areas of your life.
Figure an honest budget and remember the biggest cost is ongoing expenses; often extra spent up front can reduce overall cost.
There are a couple of ways of approaching this, you sound like a jump in with both feet kind of guy, I like that.
Do you own any of the stuff yet? If so, what? Please be specific.
Are you a gardener, container or otherwise? How much experience with plants?
How ‘handy’ are you? How comfortable are you with hand tools and so forth? Do you have access to tools?
Where do you live? Any weird laws or restrictions? Are there big box stores around, Lowes, Home Depot, Harbor Freight and so forth?
And mainly is your wife onboard with this?
You mentioned she wanted brown gravel my recommendation is brown gravel. It may end up being sand blasting shot, but it will be brown. Do you and more importantly your wife have a picture or image of what you want?
Do not sweat the substrate layers no layers, you will do just fine. The type of plants you have talked about are going to want an enriched substrate, capped with brown stuff.
Frankly, the pressurized CO2 system is not a place to scrimp on quality, especially for someone starting out. Make sure you understand the elements that go into a quality system, you may find the elements less expensive, but do not compromise on quality. Philosophos is correct regarding the discussion going on now http://www.barrreport.com/showthread.php?t=6470.
So granted Rex “born in heaven, trained in hell, shuttled around by squids, butt kicked up the hill by a Ranger” Griggs may be lower than whale poop, the man does know his pressurized CO2 stuff and that is the objective. Rex’s website also has some great information on ‘building’ your own system.
I am not trying to be nosy, that comes naturally!
The idea is to figure out what you want and get it done (well) for a reasonable investment. The general trade is time for money.If you have not done so, please read seven these stickys http://www.barrreport.com/forumdisplay.php?f=67.
Biollante