Post holiday tank v good

[peaches]

Just got back from a fortnight away. In the end I decided to turn off the co2. Nothing has suffered and plant growth is good. As my plants are fairly well established I am considering taking off the CO2 altogether. I'm pleased with how things are. The only thing I'm worried about is the dwarf hairgrass. Should it be ok now its established?

Other plants are java moss, another similar moss, java fern and anubias.

 

[Edvet]

Maybe go low dose 24/7 CO2?

 

[Franks]

You don’t have any demanding plants. Perhaps no or very low co2 with low light would work out great.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[alto]

Dwarf hair grass generally prefers life with some CO2
If it’s 6 months or more established, you may be able to withdraw CO2 with minimal consequence ... generally it grows much slower without added CO2, you may also experience some “melt”

 

[peaches]

Well it looks like I will be doing without it. I just turned it on and despite increasing the bubble rate by turning the thread, nothing is coming out. Solenoid is on, obviously. Tank was full 10.6 so I'm assuming I've run out. Before holiday when I turned it off it was going great but I was starting to think I had a leak as I smelt something odd but everyone reassured me it didn't smell.

How can I test if it's solenoid or leak or empty?

 

[Edvet]

fill the CO2 tank, turn it on and use soapy water to see if you get bubbles. Ahh wait empty? See if you hear fluid in the tank, otherwise open the valve a bit?

 

[peaches]

I have turned the screw knob on solenoid as far as it goes and I'm only getting one bubble every 8 seconds. Later I will weigh the cylinder.

As its been off for two weeks can the valve get clogged up? I don't know what's inside these things but have heard people refer to needle valves.

 

[Franks]

It could have filled with water if you don’t have a non return fitted? This would cause issues with gas flow. I’ve witnessed that.

You’d need to remove the lines and open up the solenoid valves fully and let the gas flow to blow it all out if so.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[X3NiTH]

That type of bubble counter is its own one way valve. I would surmise that the atomiser in the tank is clogged with bacteria after two weeks of inactivity. Easy way to check is remove tubing above the bubble counter, if you get free flow of bubbles in the counter you know the problem is after it. Clogged atomisers can reduce the bubble count significantly.

 

[Franks]

Keeping on topic, today I’ve just returned from 15 days away in Florida. I did a big water change and prune before I left. I kept lighting and co2 timing as per usual and sacrificed fert dosing.

The tank is in great shape and has grown into a jungle! Bear in mind this is 2 feet deep!

I plan on cleaning the external filter, pruning and water changing later.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk