Using Co2 for the 1st time

[Damian Smith]

Hi,

I have on order a Co2 kit and was just wondering the following.

Once i have my light and co2 rigged to come on the right intervals ie co2 on a few hours before and after the light ing run of around 5 hours. Should I run my air pump during the night for the fish or should the plants be able to sustain the fish?

Heres a pic of the newly planted tank. It has been up and running about 4 years since our last house move.

 

[Gerryd]

Hi Damian,

Plants produce c02 at night just like fish...I would keep the air running at night.

Could you please provide some detail on the following:

1. Size of tank.
2. Type of lighting.
3. Substrate.
4. C02 delivery method.
5. Filtration

C02 can be affected by many other factors, so the more info you provide the better advice you will receive.

 

[bradac56]

Plants uptake oxygen at night so I run an airstone at night on a timer it goes off about five minutes before my C02 starts.

- Brad

 

[Left C]

Plants undergo cellular respiration 24/7 just like we do. Not just at night like is commonly believed.
http://www.worsleyschool.net/science/files/photosynthesis/page.html

Aerobic respiration (red arrows) is the main means by which both plants and animals utilize energy in the form of organic compounds that was previously created through photosynthesis (green arrow).

 

[jonny_ftm]

Yes, respiration is permanent, and probably more important during the photoperiod, unlike most think
During photoperiod, the use of CO2 dominates the respiration process. During night, plants continue to breath using O2, but photosythesis stops, so no CO2 captation

 

[Damian Smith]

Sorry about the tank specs, these are from memory

I have added the details as I can remember
Thanks
Damian

Hi Damian,

Plants produce c02 at night just like fish...I would keep the air running at night.

Could you please provide some detail on the following:

1. Size of tank.
60X18X18 or about 80us Gallons

2. Type of lighting.
At the moment 1 x grolux and 1 x normal tropical tubes both 36" with reflectors. I will be adding 1 x 4ft grolux and 1 x 4ftsunlight tubes 48w each
3. Substrate.
Mix of pea gravel and course sand about 1" at the front to about 3"-4" at the back
4. C02 delivery method.
This is on the way in kit form. I have 600g disposable co2 welding bottles that will run through a solinoid and glass diffuser in the tank.
5. Filtration
2x ehimn 2233 ithink from memory they are external and move about 450lph each. I am also instaling either a powerhead/internal filters or HYDOR KORALIA to increase the cirulation to around 2000/2500lph

C02 can be affected by many other factors, so the more info you provide the better advice you will receive.