my soggy green thumb

Oh, and by the way, I was right, you are an Organic Chemistry PhD!! Thank goodness for brilliant people! Thanks again!

Raul-7

Carlos, I think I remember you saying you don't dose macros? What's the key to that?

Sir_BlackhOle

Try a local welding supplier or home brewing company for a co2 tank, regulator, and needle valve. Some places will rent the tank to you. For a cheaper option you might use Carlos' DIY suggestion. A couple 2 liter bottles, sugar, yeast, airline tubing and your set.

my soggy green thumb

OK, I have been looking for a pressurized co2 system. Since I'm not much of a DIYer, I'm thinking that I will just have to suck it up and buy a ready to go system. The problem is, by reviewing the photos only, I'm not sure how to get the Co2 into the water. Do I have to buy some tubing or something? Does it just bubble into the water like my current system? Is this even what I'm looking for? (I'm going to try and attach a picture). I know, I'm wearing you guys out with all of the questions... I'm learning a lot though so thanks for your help!

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Sir_BlackhOle

That looks like it would work. You attach just regular airline tubing or silicone tubing to the needle valve. These can be found at your LFS. I would go with silicone because it will last longer compared to the regular airline tubing. This goes either into some sort of diffuser or into the intake of your filter. The filter impeller will chop up the bubbles and mix them with the water. I use an ehiem diffuser i got from drsfostersmith.com that works very well.

Daemonfly

Yup, Thats the regulator. Both JBJ & Milwaukee make them for aquariums. You'd hook up some CO2 safe tubing to the needle valve, and run that to your tank. You could use the "ramp" from your current system, and if you want, eventually get a better diffusor.

The pressurized systems have a higher startup cost, but are only $11 to refil the CO2 tank. I prefer it as I hate messing with the yeast mixture, especially the stink when changing out the mix.

bobo

I'd get a CO2 regulator minus the solenoid gizmo. Not needed IMHO as I run CO2 24/7 in all my tanks and never have a problem. All that

If all you have is a 20 I'd go with DIY CO2. If you get a pressurized outfit -- you may as well buy more/bigger tanks. That's the progression of this disease anyway. Why fight it?

Need to check that KH/GH ratio - something's screwy. Best bet is the water company.

Carlos and the others have given you great advise -- take it. Relax and do a little reading of the Krib. You may need to read it twice for it to take. Have any questions bring them here. You, or anyone else that's new couldn't be in better hands.

You should hear what we had to go to make plants happen in our tanks even ten years ago!