LancsRick
Member
- Joined
- 18 Apr 2012
- Messages
- 683
Ok, the planning for my Rio 180 continues, and I'm giving more and more thought to CO2. That said, I'm getting more and more questions as a result.
At present the Trigon 190 is doing well, with 2000lph turnover, and 0.8wpg of T8 lighting (with reflectors). I'm dosing James' All in One at a level of 25ml per week, and doing *maybe* a 25% water change once a month.
The reason I'm talking about my old tank? Because that level of effort and maintenance really suits me. That said, it would be nice to get faster growth, and be able to broaden my catalogue of available plants.
The Rio 180 will have 1800lph turnover, but has MUCH more lighting available - two T8s and two T5s, all with reflectors, giving me a maximum possible lighting level of a huge 3.5wpg, plus reflectors. I realise that going anywhere near this in a tank without CO2 would just a) create algae and b) generate deficiencies in the plants, so my options are either to run on reduced lighting, or go down the CO2 route (most likely via FE with diffuser under the spraybars)...
Two fundamental questions:
- Any downfalls to not using EI with CO2, and sticking with dosing an All in One fert?
- Does CO2 necessitate water changes?
At present the Trigon 190 is doing well, with 2000lph turnover, and 0.8wpg of T8 lighting (with reflectors). I'm dosing James' All in One at a level of 25ml per week, and doing *maybe* a 25% water change once a month.
The reason I'm talking about my old tank? Because that level of effort and maintenance really suits me. That said, it would be nice to get faster growth, and be able to broaden my catalogue of available plants.
The Rio 180 will have 1800lph turnover, but has MUCH more lighting available - two T8s and two T5s, all with reflectors, giving me a maximum possible lighting level of a huge 3.5wpg, plus reflectors. I realise that going anywhere near this in a tank without CO2 would just a) create algae and b) generate deficiencies in the plants, so my options are either to run on reduced lighting, or go down the CO2 route (most likely via FE with diffuser under the spraybars)...
Two fundamental questions:
- Any downfalls to not using EI with CO2, and sticking with dosing an All in One fert?
- Does CO2 necessitate water changes?