Canister or HOB?

[Dow]

Setting up my 30g flatback hex for apisto's and neon tetras, lots and lots of plants and things of the such. (i've heard 50/50 yes and no's on this mixture of fish, more is appreciated) I could easily get my hands on an emperer 280 but I've heard these hamper the CO2 movement in a tank and aren't terribly healthy for plants. Which brings along another point.

I have a CO2 canister in the garage. If I needed to use this, how could I make a CO2 injector from it?

Any comments are welcome! Advice, suggestions, etc.. I need them all!

[armthehomeless]

I don't see any problems with your stocking choices. I'd love to see the apistos that you end up choosing!

If you are planning on doing CO2, I'd recommend getting a canister filter vs. a HOB . . . not for the same reason though. HOBs will off-gas the CO2, meaning that you will have to usemore CO2 with an HOB to acheive the same effect. Plus, you can plumb the co2 directly into the output from your canister for a cleaner look, IMO.

Of course, I'm no planted tank expert.

[Dow]

That sounds interesting, I'll have to look further into that. I plan on choosing Apistogramma Cacatuoide, Apistogramma Borelli or Agassizi . I love the Cac's but the borelli's shimmer and tank on a kind of glowy effect under the right circumstances (Which i'm determined to achieve! )

Would you know how to obtain this plumbing operation of which you speak?

[myjohnson]

If planted tank is in the plans always go with a canister over a HOB.

I highly recommend ehiem.

The green intake and output will bend in with the plants.

You can also upgrade to all glass stuff, which looks sweet!!!!

[armthehomeless]

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/nature-aquarium-society-houston-nash/59069-january-meeting-recap.html

[armthehomeless]

http://www.houstonfishbox.com/vforums/showthread.php?25837-quot-Easy-quot-Foreground-Plant/page3

Scroll about half way down. I realized afterwards that my diffuser was upside down.

[thewahakid]

I know this is probably unusual, but I don't use ANY filtration and use an Elite mini for CO2 difusion on my 75 gal planted tank. Pearling at 1 bubble per second and my low level light plants doing very well. I DO have an Penguin 30 HOB on standby in case filtration is needed, but it's been unplugged for a couple of months. I have about 20 community fish to provide the necessary plant nutrients.

[smk]

i would go cannister with eheim being my preference they really seem to be the best

[Dow]

Thank you all for the help. Does anyone want to buy me a 50g canister filter? lol. Donate to the cause? I am poor! Canister filter it is!

[Dow]

The pictures are great but I'm a little more of a verbal person. It's a huge canister of CO2 but how do I hook it in to the filters?

[Mzungu]

Do you have a regulator for the CO2 cylinder? (Sorry if that's a silly question, but first things first, ya know. :) )

[Dow]

Its a CO2 canister for soda carbonation, that my Dad offered. It has one.

[Zebvance]

Canisters are the best filtration beside a sump IMO