So today I’ve had what I would probably call my first mistake/ close call with CO2 levels in my new tank.
Tank was dark started and has now been planted for a month. Today was the first big maintenance session other than the weekly water changes and pre filter clean. All pipework cleaned, diffuser cleaned and quite a big trim of stems and carpet. Put everything back and kicked back for food and beers.
A few hours later and I noticed one or two of the fish appeared to be going to the surface but I thought they were just playing. 20 or 30 mins later and all the fish were at the surface and I knew things weren’t right.
Thankfully I caught everything in time. Switched the gas off and did another big water change and all is well.
Its now painfully obvious to me that the hacking of plants and decrease in plant volume is the reason for my levels being out of kilter. From what I’ve read with CO2 you can pretty much set and forget once your levels are good, not strictly true is it! Fish were getting gassed 2 hours before the end of the normal period. All part of the learning curve I guess but it’s raised a couple of questions I’m hoping experienced users can chip in with how they go about things.
Tank was dark started and has now been planted for a month. Today was the first big maintenance session other than the weekly water changes and pre filter clean. All pipework cleaned, diffuser cleaned and quite a big trim of stems and carpet. Put everything back and kicked back for food and beers.
A few hours later and I noticed one or two of the fish appeared to be going to the surface but I thought they were just playing. 20 or 30 mins later and all the fish were at the surface and I knew things weren’t right.
Thankfully I caught everything in time. Switched the gas off and did another big water change and all is well.
Its now painfully obvious to me that the hacking of plants and decrease in plant volume is the reason for my levels being out of kilter. From what I’ve read with CO2 you can pretty much set and forget once your levels are good, not strictly true is it! Fish were getting gassed 2 hours before the end of the normal period. All part of the learning curve I guess but it’s raised a couple of questions I’m hoping experienced users can chip in with how they go about things.
- On big maintenance/ pruning days do you just leave the gas off for the day?
- Will the plants recover quick enough to leave levels as they are or do I need to dial it back?
- If dialling back how quickly do you increase levels again? Yes, I’m scared of algae 😀
- Anything other tips worth mentioning?