Timed co2

1267 Views 9 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Squawkbert, Dec 5, 2008

NeonFlux

Discussion Starter · Dec 4, 2008 (Edited)

What are the drawbacks of doing a timer on co2? I'm trying to save some co2. I mean seriously, you know when you are feeding 4 tanks with a 20 lb..it's really gonna go down fast... So I have the co2 currently timed to be on when the lights go on and the co2 to go off when the lights go off and the dry ferts that I dose. So once all of my tanks are heavily planted, I can time the co2 to turn on 30 min before lights go on and 30 min before lights go off...

I am keeping a high tech 60 gallon tank, just so you know, I know what I'm doing(Intermediate) . E. Index, pressurized co2 (diffusion rate is 100%) reactor, and 4.2 wpg, eco-complete used for a few months. Here are some of my plants.

L. Aromatica
Downoi
Red cabomba
Rotala wallichi
Rotala bonsai
Blyxa japonica
Dwarf sag
Erio cinerum

Should I dose seachem's Flourish Excel to help out? I have a friggin gallon worth right now

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chagovatoloco

· #2 · Dec 4, 2008

I'm not sure their are any draw back on a timer for co2, but there is a lot of debate on this.

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jaidexl

· #3 · Dec 4, 2008

I do the 30 minutes before thing on a 65gl, no problems. Some worry about the ph change but it only represents gas exchange.

I have about 3wpg and it's a pain to deal with even running an inline reactor. I'd guess you'll be using that Excel, I am. Depends on your particular light/ photoperiod and what your stocking is I guess, my fish won't allow me to crank anymore gas than about 5bps.

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supersmirky

· #4 · Dec 4, 2008

I have mine timed to go on an hour before lights on and to go off at lights off. From what I read, its important to get the CO2 levels up prior to your lighting period.

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NeonFlux

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 4, 2008

supersmirky said:
I have mine timed to go on an hour before lights on and to go off at lights off. From what I read, its important to get the CO2 levels up prior to your lighting period.

Mhmm.. interesting. Plants need co2 when there is light, right? When it is dark and it's time for the plants to rest, they don't need co2?

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chagovatoloco

· #6 · Dec 5, 2008

Plants only consume co2 during their photo period, at night they stop consuming co2 and start consuming oxygen. So their is a danger that the oxygen levels might run low at night and kill fish, and since it dose the plants no good at night any way many just turn it off.

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NeonFlux

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 5, 2008

Huh. Thanks for the help chagova. Always helping me out. Thanks man.

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supersmirky

· #8 · Dec 5, 2008

Some people run bubble wands or whatever in their tank at night to increase the oxygen in the tank during the night time period

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Logan's Daddy

· #9 · Dec 5, 2008

NeonFlux said:
Mhmm.. interesting. Plants need co2 when there is light, right? When it is dark and it's time for the plants to rest, they don't need co2?

Yes, but the plants will begin consuming co2 immediately once the lights go on, if the co2 comes on with the lights the level of co2 will not be high enough right away, having it come on an hour before the lights allows allows the co2 levels to build to more appropriate levels.

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Squawkbert

· #10 · Dec 5, 2008

The only real drawback is having to set it to release just a bit more CO2 via timer than you would if you just let it run 24/7. I suspect the extra O2 being available tot he fish overnight and the net CO2 savings over the long haul are way more than adequate compensation for having to increase your delivery rate slightly.

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