C02 Timer?

[djmatthewblack]

Would I want to put the plug from my C02 into the light timer, so it would only inject C02 when the lights are on? Could anyone recommend doing this?

[danielp]

That's the way I do it. I have a dual outlet strip that has a timer side and a non timer side. The Co2 and lights are on the timer and turn on and off in sync with each other. The other side has my filter, heater and power head.

Some people like to start and stop their Co2 on a little different cycle. I've been rubnning mine for two + years now and the plants are just fine,

[Mzungu]

Same here. I have 2 CO2 setups that come on at the same time as my lights. Go for it.

[wesleydnunder]

Matt, I ran my lights and co2 on the same timer for several years. A couple years ago Tom Barr suggested running the lights and co2 on different timers so I've been experimenting with that. To be honest, I don't see a significant difference in the plant growth.

Mark

[kwc1974]

Many different methodologies when it comes to this subject.

1. CO2 and Lights on same timer
2. CO2 and Lights on different timer
3. CO2 on 24/7 and Lights on timer

each have their own pros and cons, and of course things like whater perameters and photo-peroid come into play when you start to target one of the options.

I use the CO2 on all of the time with the lights on a timer. The problem with CO2 on a timer is you can get some PH swings during lights off. I use a 12hr photo-period so my lights out time is also 12hr and the CO2 buildup is easier to compensate for then the ph swing up, exspecially if you have sensitive fish. Also when the lights go on, you will already have a CO2 saturated level and the plants will respond better.

[Darbex]

I do CO2 and lights on the same timer

[HoustonFishFanatic]

+1 for Co2 on 24/7 .

[djmatthewblack]

Well thanks, I'm going to do it and see how it goes. My plants are looking great but I still have problems with the black hair algae on my plants. Still trying to get the balance.

[Darbex]

Shrimp, nerites, and o-cats did the trick for me

[Navarro]

Co2 24/7

[Darbex]

Now whats the benefit for 24/7 CO2?

[grillmasterp]

Now whats the benefit for 24/7 CO2?

No need for solenoid & timer

water will be well saturated w/ CO2 by the time the lights go on. (Some people actually turn on CO2 prior to the lights coming on)

[danielp]

If you run co2 24/7 and your lights only for x amount of time per day aren't you seeing an over saturation of co2 when the lights are off and no photosynthesis exchange is taking place?

[Navarro]

If you run co2 24/7 and your lights only for x amount of time per day aren't you seeing an over saturation of co2 when the lights are off and no photosynthesis exchange is taking place?

Not necessarily

[kwc1974]

If you run co2 24/7 and your lights only for x amount of time per day aren't you seeing an over saturation of co2 when the lights are off and no photosynthesis exchange is taking place?

+1 to navvaro

my experance is that you are injecting more over a 24hr period but less on a 1hr period, so it balances out. Like I stated before, the pH swinging up can rally cause problems with our hard water. Also having the co2 saturation the instant lights on happens means your plants are going to have mor optimal growing time.

Yeah, you don't need a soelinoid, but I really do not see that as an advantage as most system come with one anyway. the biggest advantage I see is more stable water perameters.