CO2 dosing intervals

[aaronnorth]

algae is said to not be able to adapt to this photoperiod whereas plants can. Algae is one of the most adaptable organisms in the tank

[Jur4ik]

hmm ok.
with those brake i can enjoy my tank longer - time i´m at work there can be brake i didnt care about and when i´m at home i can longer watch my tank with the same photoperiod.

[Jur4ik]

as i see many of you vote for 24/7, please explain why?!

[aaronnorth]

well i use a solenoid but it is said to stop as many ph swings i think, and less things to go wrong!

[plantbrain]

Originally Posted by crstn_savu

I think it's very important to use the CO2 24/7 because when you're not using the CO2, the pH grows and when you'll start it again, the pH will go down. This fluctuating pH level affects the plants and I prefer the first option.

Plants do not care about pH, they care about CO2.

I've run CO2 off at night for nearly 20 years now, having bred Crystal red shrimp, Discus, Tetras, catfish, grown 300 species of plants, Tonias, Erios, you name it, I can tell you, plants do not care a bit about pH.

Amano will also tell you the same thing, do not add it at night.
Adding CO2 at night stresses the fish, they do not have as high O2 at night in the tank since plants are not giving off O2.

Also, fish might tolerate high cO2 when the O2 is also high, say for 8-10 hours, but adding high CO2 all the time is not as good.

You also waste CO2.
There's no good reason to add it at night.


Regards,
Tom Barr

[plantbrain]

Originally Posted by Jur4ik

as i see many of you vote for 24/7, please explain why?!

They might not want to add a solenoid, they might think erronuously that pH stability matters some how, they might think they do not have any issues with their plants, fish etc, they might not, but the error should be to the fish's health, adding a solenoid that shuts off CO2 for 14 hours or so a day is wiser and allows you to add more when you need it, during the light cycle.

You do not need CO2 any other time.
Fish do not care about pH, the KH/GH/TDS are FAR more relevant and important.

CO2 does NOT affect KH/GH or TDS...........

If you add a pH buffer, that does.

Huge difference between CO2 and adding buffers............thus pH in and of itself in the context of planted aquariums using CO2 gas is not a direct issue.

Focus on getting enough CO2 to the plants when they need it: during the light cycle. Do not add or change the rate quickly, make sure the fish are healthy and happy and watch them closely. If you add too much, you have time to allow the tank to degas the CO2 at night(and when you are not watching the fish or the tank much either).

This is a better method that saves CO2 and fish in some cases, as well as reduces the effects of high CO2 and adds a level of safety and redundancy.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[Jur4ik]

thanks Tom

i wish everybody could be as wise as you

[MonoBarrientos]

Hi!
in my case, the adition of co2 is non-stop.
In my particular apreciation, seems a natural way (and less preocupation) ....
The smooth but present constant move in the surface and the liberation of o2 from healthy plants during light period, garanticed good value of oxigen for fishes for all the time....
i think the fishes tolerated high values of co2 if the o2 level is hight or correct.
For this reason, when the filter turn out and stop the surface movement (in an full co2 aquarium) , the fishes migrated up and exhibits anormal behaviur
If have equilibrium between light, vegetal health and density, circulation/surface moviments, the co2 non-stop adition will not be a menace for the fish life.

(if i say a erroneus concept, please tell me)

Saludos from Chile
Gmo