Mmiller2001

Report back with how it does.

I feel like a Hygrophila species would be nice there. Giant Hygro or my favorite, Hygrophila Polysperma.

I know a lot of people go the DIY route, and I think there's a store where you can buy the individual components but I just can't remember, but I know it's out there.

I will say no. But liquid fertilizer can replace root tabs for sure. Even the ADA method runs liquid fertilizer with ultra rich substrates.

Great advice above! I will only add this tip. More plants 😁. Seriously though, adding more can really help a new tank work it's way through the awkward times. The first 6 months seem to be the roughest! Good looking tank by the way.

Hey, how's it going? I took a look at the regulator and I see that it's not a dual stage regulator. When it's single stage, you could experience end of tank dump. That's a sudden release of all the last bits of CO2 from a near empty tank. This could cause a disaster. If you want to stay on the cheaper side, I would look at fzone, CO2art or GLA(Green Leaf Aquariums). Fzone and GLA have an option for both tank or paintball canisters. CO2art has an all in one packag that's hard to beat. They are also a great entry level regulator. GLA is a bit more premium but offer a quality product and have tank included kits. All of these are dual stage. FZONE Aquarium CO2 Regulator Mini Series V3.0 Dual Stage with DC Solenoid and Bubble Counter Check Valve Compatible Paintball Tank CGA320 CO2 Cylinder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P5FKQDT/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_M35XHE4BDS58ZMHKAM8X?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 Complete kit no tank. https://www.co2art.us/collections/complete-kits/products/pro-se-series-complete-aquarium-co2-system-with-in-tank-flux_-diffuser GLA just regulator (premium budget) make sure to select all the options https://greenleafaquariums.com/products/gla-mini-ds-aquarium-co2-regulator-dual-stage.html And lastly GLA, tank and all kit Mini series https://greenleafaquariums.com/products/gla-mini-ds-1-dual-stage-co2-system-modular.html Larger series (2 gauges) https://greenleafaquariums.com/products/gla-pro-ds-1-aquarium-co2-system-dual-stage-modular-1.html If you have other questions, please ask. Also, there are some big dollar regulator options and DIY. @gjcarewuses a budget regulator that's really worked well for him, I just can't remember which one. You might reach out to him and see what he uses.

This right here. I just get those preset heaters from aqueon and toss them when I need to. These inkbird controllers catch just about every problem I've had with heaters.

A 5dGH is fine and should be more than enough for plants and a Betta. I mentioned Ca and Mg before because the strips were testing it lower than the API test. You should be good to go. Your KH is fine at 2dKH or 4dKH. If you want to be a bit more steady, just do a small water change mid week to replenish the carbonates. Some other options are to dose carbonates or bicarbonates directly, or use crushed coral. If you go the crushed coral route, just know it will also add calcium. This can raise GH along with KH. Before moving all my tanks to 0dKH, I used potassium carbonate to raise KH. It also added potassium for my plants. I guess the only negative when going this route is that it's one more component that has to be measured. That said, if I wanted to raise KH with near 100% accuracy, this is the option to choose. I'm actually surprised the IAL are moving KH so quickly in your tank. I love IAL!

Yeah, it's hard to resist that urge to enjoy them right away. I'm thinking I want to pull my Dwarf Rainbows out of QT early and I have to fight myself to wait.

Bummer, I always suspect internal bacteria infections when there's no outward signs.

So far it's working well. It hits saturation faster than my DIY reactor. I just hate the look of Sprite water, so I do enjoy what a reactor offers.

Now that you say it that way...😜. What I meant to say is, unfortunately, I have nowhere to raise additional fish!

How man gallons is the tank? Nevermind, I found it: .08ml of Easy Green 2xweek= 6ppm NO3 .324ppm PO4 6.03ppm K Assuming 50% water changes, that's an accumulation total of (12ppmNO3, .65ppm PO4, 12.1ppmK). If doing 25% water changes, add 1/4 to those numbers. That's (15ppmNO3, .81ppm PO4, 15ppm K) I would add 5 to 10ppm of K, Start at 5ppm. So assuming an 8 gallon tank, add 1.6ml of Seachem Potassium. That is an additional 5ppm accumulated total at 50% water changes or 6.25ppm @25% changes. Hopefully my math is correct!

I'm not sure. I wonder if it would have enough pressure to run multiple tanks?

Algae algae algae, more maintenance more maintenance. That's my update! I bought the GLA CO2 reactor to try and I will update my thoughts on it in a week or so. So far, it's about the same as the DIY.

My friend is trying this DIY system. Has everything to get started. It lasts 30 days for him. They make a larger one as well if you want to push harder. I'd imagine for medium light tanks, it would work really well. ZRDR CO2 Generator System Carbon Dioxide 2L with Dual Gauge Display Pressure Gauge Automatic Pressure Relief Valve Bubble Counter for Plants Aquarium, Stable Output https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083NBVZHB/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_M6NBSSC1XAS3WHDTC51S?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 Here's the larger one. It looks like it offers double the capacity for just $10 more. ZRDR Co2 Generator System 2L with Pressure Gauge Automatic Pressure Relief Valve Bubble Counter for Aquarium Plants，Stable Output Sent Steel Bottle Base https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0924H7KV9/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_5SBB799WQB7YZQ68FR48?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Free food for the adults?

Try not to be so bitter, it comes off shallow. I was like this some time ago. It's a waste of energy. Your comments just aren't necessary. It's okay not to comment if you don't like something.

Because some of us want tanks that look like these guy's, and it's 100% impossible with out CO2. And when you break the cost down, it's not that expensive. And some of us have bigger budgets so trying different products means little. Why buy a smart phone when a flip phone is cheaper? Why buy a house when I could rent a small apartment cheaper? Why, because it appeals to or interests us. CO2Art has a great entry level regulator kit and you could run a 5 pound tank easily on a small tank. Also, Greenleafaquariums has a 100 dollar regulator that's very budget friendly. It's dual stage but not dual guage. But GLA is top notch.

Do nothing, keep the ammonia up and top the tank up when needed. If there are no plants in the tank right now, turn the light off.

Research Estimative Index dosing by Tom Barr.

That would be fine.

I would dose a comprehensive fertilizer, but mildly until you increase the plant mass.

I would increase water changes and run a leaner dose of nutrients.

What is the substrate?