Yes, the air bubbler will dissipate the CO2 you are adding to the water. Surface agitation will also send your CO2 out to the atmosphere. So if you've got a hang-on-back power filter, you may want to raise the water level to minimize splashing.
Many folks set their air pump to a timer, so it only turns on at night. That's because in the absence of light, plants will also respire (use up O2 and produce CO2). It's only during daylight that they'll uptake CO2 and releaes oxygen. Thus, it's very likely that at night the tank will need extra air and oxygen.
Ok, makes sense. Thanks. So I need a timer that turns off the fluorescent light and air pump when the moonlights go on, and turns on the light and pump when the moonlights go off.
Is there a good timer for this type of thing or do I need three timers?
In short yes. With that bubble wand going you are just adding Co2 to the air in your house.
My advise loose the bubble wand and or air pump. Place your tubing coming from your DIY coke bottle into the intake of your hang on back filter and let it defuse your Co2. Also raise your watter level. Any surface movement at all is makeing you loose Co2.
If you do not have a hang on back filter you can make your onw defuser by visiting this link.
In short yes. With that bubble wand going you are just adding Co2 to the air in your house.
My advise loose the bubble wand and or air pump. Place your tubing coming from your DIY coke bottle into the intake of your hang on back filter and let it defuse your Co2. Also raise your watter level. Any surface movement at all is makeing you loose Co2.
If you do not have a hang on back filter you can make your onw defuser by visiting this link.
Wouldnet that make the HOB filter directly disipate the CO2? From what I have sceen all HOB's have surface agitation while runnign through the filter I would get a bubble ladder or better yet a venturi reactor. and then top off the tank so there is little surface agitation in the tank, then cross your ingers and hope your plants can absorb it faster than the HOB disipates it. I put a sponge under my filter so there is very little surface agitation in the tank water, (but I'm sure it disipates any CO2 in the water running through the filter)
True it will cause you to loose some Co2 but since it is Diy Co2 coke bottle you can add another 2 liter or even a 1 liter coke bottle you you do need more Co2. I also have filter pads stuck between the out flow and my glass lid so that i have very little out flow if any at all. Trust me in this hobby there is WAY more than one way to get to the same goal of getting Co2 in to the tank. Some are better at it than others thought. Like the one in the link i posted it has 100% diffusion which is far better than the way i have mine setup. Also with that one you have the option of turning off the power head at night (which you should with 100% diffusion any way) so your Co2 ppm don't go off the chart and kill your fish. But my way i leave it going 24/7 and it does not bother the fish of course i had to watch the fish for a couple of days after i set it up to be sure.
Oh you always check your pH and KH before you set ANY Co2 system up be it DIY OR TANK. Then after it set up you should test both again right before you turn the lights on and again right before you turn them off. This will give you your Co2 range. You can do that here
I think I'm going to plant slowly (one a week or less). I'm very patient. I don't want to harm my angelfish whom I've had for a long time now.
I like the idea of having the airstones on at night only, and I like the idea of DIY diffusion.
I think I'll put a pressure valve and a control valve on my CO2 injector so I can control the range better. This link will be useful when my tank is ready.
