Simon D
Member
I've recently introduced CO2 via an FE with solinoid. The CO2 is on one hour before lights on and off one before lights out. I'm also experiencing some water clouding and fish respirational probs. Here's some tank spec:
60 ltr (approx net) 2' x 1' x 18"
Filtration: internal Eheim 2210
CO2 injection via Rhinox 2000 diffuser (bubble counter, check valve, CO2 tubing etc!)
2 x 15W T8 tubes giving (approx 2wpg)
medium planted (not enough plants at the mo but algae not a problem)
fish: 2 x clown loach, 2 x African Dwarf Frogs, 1 platty, 6 dalmation mollies
EI dosing and 50 -60 % water changes weekly.
the tank has been set up for about 18 months and has been lightly stocked with plant from the start. They never really did very well but since I started EI dosing about a month ago they've thrived and I've increased the amount of plants and replanted trimmings etc.. I was using CO2 via an aerosole injection (Tetra plant CO2 optimat) and have now upgraded this to an FE conversion that works so much better. The dropchecker just about gets to green so no overkill with CO2.
I was unhappy with the water circullation that the internal filter was supplying (rated at 550 lph, nearly 10 x per hour max) so added an unsightly Koralia 1 (1500 lph, so 25 x per hour) last week. I know this is a bit over kill but the plants were suffering in the "dead spots" of the aquarium where CO2 wasn't reaching. This is on the same timer as the Co2 so as to give the fish a break when not needed
I've noticed that since EI dosing that the water is clouding quickly, I cleaned the filter on Sunday (yes, in ex-tank water as I do every four weeks) and this kept the water pristine until today, so only four days, and now it's starting to cloud again. I've got activated carbon in the filter that I renewed at the same time as the filter clean. Is it a bacteria bloom? or (less likely) algae bloom? There is some algae on Vallis and Swords but very minimal and this is reducing since the new regime.
Since I've installed the CO2 the fish have been gathering at the top to get oxygen. They don't appear to be distressed or gasping (with the exception of one of the Clown Loaches that either just plays dead or darts around like a suicidal lunatic and does appear to have trouble respirating). They seem to love the flow that the Koralia provides temporarily and play aroud in it for an hour or so and then, I'm sure it's the CO2, they get needy for O2and just sit at the surface.
What can I do to help the fish whilst the CO2 is on? The internal has a venturi that injects some O2 and the surface is adgitated quite well. The diffuser is placed under the internal so most of the bubbles are taken in and distributed fom there.
Any advice or help with the clouding and fish respiration would be gratefully appreciated.
60 ltr (approx net) 2' x 1' x 18"
Filtration: internal Eheim 2210
CO2 injection via Rhinox 2000 diffuser (bubble counter, check valve, CO2 tubing etc!)
2 x 15W T8 tubes giving (approx 2wpg)
medium planted (not enough plants at the mo but algae not a problem)
fish: 2 x clown loach, 2 x African Dwarf Frogs, 1 platty, 6 dalmation mollies
EI dosing and 50 -60 % water changes weekly.
the tank has been set up for about 18 months and has been lightly stocked with plant from the start. They never really did very well but since I started EI dosing about a month ago they've thrived and I've increased the amount of plants and replanted trimmings etc.. I was using CO2 via an aerosole injection (Tetra plant CO2 optimat) and have now upgraded this to an FE conversion that works so much better. The dropchecker just about gets to green so no overkill with CO2.
I was unhappy with the water circullation that the internal filter was supplying (rated at 550 lph, nearly 10 x per hour max) so added an unsightly Koralia 1 (1500 lph, so 25 x per hour) last week. I know this is a bit over kill but the plants were suffering in the "dead spots" of the aquarium where CO2 wasn't reaching. This is on the same timer as the Co2 so as to give the fish a break when not needed
I've noticed that since EI dosing that the water is clouding quickly, I cleaned the filter on Sunday (yes, in ex-tank water as I do every four weeks) and this kept the water pristine until today, so only four days, and now it's starting to cloud again. I've got activated carbon in the filter that I renewed at the same time as the filter clean. Is it a bacteria bloom? or (less likely) algae bloom? There is some algae on Vallis and Swords but very minimal and this is reducing since the new regime.
Since I've installed the CO2 the fish have been gathering at the top to get oxygen. They don't appear to be distressed or gasping (with the exception of one of the Clown Loaches that either just plays dead or darts around like a suicidal lunatic and does appear to have trouble respirating). They seem to love the flow that the Koralia provides temporarily and play aroud in it for an hour or so and then, I'm sure it's the CO2, they get needy for O2and just sit at the surface.
What can I do to help the fish whilst the CO2 is on? The internal has a venturi that injects some O2 and the surface is adgitated quite well. The diffuser is placed under the internal so most of the bubbles are taken in and distributed fom there.
Any advice or help with the clouding and fish respiration would be gratefully appreciated.