Reddit mentions of Glass Co2 Drop Checker with 4dkh/PH Solution | Quickest, Most Accurate & Easiest to Use | NilocG Aquatics | Glass Co2 Drop Checker with 4dKH/Ph Reagent Most Accurate Monitoring of Your Co2 Levels

Co2 concentration can’t be read simply by the rate your feeding it. You will need a co2 drop checker to determine the concentration in the water column. It shows the concentration as a color change. Lime green will be 30ppm which us what most people target.
I use this one.

https://www.amazon.com/NilocG-Aquatics-Solution-Quickest-Monitoring/dp/B01MY87WVP

Also it depends on how the grass was grown before you bought it. Submerged or emersed. I believe the emersed growth will take a while to take off. A trick that works sometimes is to snip the tips to encourage growth.

Also are you just using regular sand? If so you’ll need to supplement with some fertilizer. Root tabs will work.

As for the lighting just because it looks bright, it doesn’t necessarily mean its the correct color spectrum. I would list more details on what you have so we can give more advice.

The fluval kit doesn't function like the typical co2 setup most people run.

The way it works is you turn the knob on to let the co2 fill up the chamber and then turn it off and let the co2 diffuse into the water throughout the day.

TBH this is really a lot of hassle for a system that you have to turn it on and off manually.

If I were to buy a co2 system all over again I would likely go with these items:

Co2 regulator

Diffuser

Drop checker

Check valve

Tubing

I would consider this to be a good bare bones starting system that would get you started in co2 once you pick up a tank from your local welding supply shop.

After a couple weeks of researching the same thing, I wound up assembling my own rather than getting a kit. I have a 60g with a 5lb tank that I got from a local welding supply store that fits nice in my compact cabinet. Tank cost $60 and $15 to fill/refill. Attached to that is this regulator which I run on a wemo plug to come on only when the lights are on. I use this diffuser (which I think is overkill). All connected by this CO2 proof tubing. Finally, I use this drop checker. Less than $200 invested. It's silent except for the instant that the solenoid switches off/on. I have to trim plants a couple times a month. At two bubbles/sec, I get about 6-8 months between tank refills. Slightly cheaper option may include a paintball tank with adapter.

I was recommended this Beamswork light on here awhile ago and it has been great for me for the last year or so. If you are looking for a budget light this one has been great for me so far.

As far as co2 goes it is super easy to do honestly. It only cost me about $100 to set mine up and it is great knowing I can put almost any plant in and it has a chance. I am currently starting a carpet in my tank since I've had the co2 setup for awhile. Here is my setup:

But here is a copy pasted comment explaining my setup and links to all the parts I used that I gave to someone else:

Ok. I'll try to type out my whole setup.

The biggest parts of the setup are the tank and regulator. I use an Empire/Tippman co2 tank with a Double Sun Hydroponics Regulator.

Now, aquarium regulators aren't made with paintball tanks in mind, but most sporting goods stores won't refill tanks above 24oz due to safety reasons. So instead of buying a 5lb tank that no one can refill, I just use a simple Aquatek Paintball co2 adapter to attach the regulator to the tank I have. So for that part of the setup you just attach the adapter to the regulator and then after you fill your Co2 tank attach the tank to the adapter, done (make sure the regulator is plugged in and everything is tightened if you have already filled the co2 tank). Do not attach the adapter to the Co2 tank first, the adapter opens the tank so you'll just empty your Co2 into the air. So attach everything to the Co2 tank last lol.

I also use teflon tape on the tank threads and adapter threads just to help prevent any loss of co2 through the adapter. It probably wouldn't leak without it but I would rather be sure so I just wrapped up both pieces before the install.

Now that you have your regulator/tank setup we just need to get the co2 into the aquarium. I attach Aquatek co2 tubing to the bubble counter that comes attached to the regulator and attach it to a Rhinox check valve, this prevents any water from getting to the regulator, then run co2 tubing from the check valve to a Rhinox co2 diffuser, this condenses the co2 into tiny bubbles so it absorbs into the water.

Boom, almost done. We have co2, we are getting it into the tank, but now how do we know how much? We need a NilocG co2 drop checker and some Drop Checker Solution to put in it. This will come with a card that says the proper colors. I would suggest starting with low co2, check the next day, if the drop checker is still blue, increase the co2 a tiny bit and check again the next day, repeat until it turns green, yellow is bad and you might gas your fish so don't increase co2 too much at a time to protect the fish.

You'd need:

A diffuser and bubble counter (this has both in one and is one I use. Work VERY well in my 10g.

Tubing

A check valve. I do not recommend skimping out here There's also this bubble counter/check valve combo.

And a drop checker

The drop checker is essential for noobs like us. Purists will say you don't need it but I don't want to risk gassing my fish.

Also, I think the regular you linked has a bubble counter and check valve! I just read it's description

Ask away of you have more questions! I have two tank with co2. On my 10g, both my light and regulator are plugged into the same timer and it works fine.

Fluval sells this simple kit. It does get expensive replacing their specialized cartridges, but it's a good place to start if you're only ready to get your toes wet.

If you want to go bigger, it'll cost more upfront, but is cheaper to maintain.

Amazon Shopping list for CO2 under $200:

Cheap Regulator. There are better/nicer/higher quality ones out there. This one is cheap and okay.

Drop Checker

Diffuser

Check Valve

CO2 tubing

Thread tape

Adjustable wrench

5lb cylinder less than $15 to fill at gas supply store

For anyone wondering about the CO2 Setup, here is a quick writeup that includes all of the Amazon links and prices:

I am using a TV stand for my aquarium that looks like this and the entire CO2 setup fits in one of the smaller cubby holes. I am using a 24OZ Empire paintball tank that has this adapter hooked up to this regulator.




Those three items will makeup the majority of the cost of pressurized CO2. The other things I bought were a drop checker, a CO2 diffuser and CO2 airline tubing.

Finally, I bought an outlet timer since the regulator I previously mentioned has a solenoid valve.


The core components are the tank, adapter, regulator, tubing, and diffuser. The total of those came to $130. Adding on the dropchecker and timer brings the total to $160. Filling up the paintball tank at my local sporting good store cost 5$, but that should last this tank anywhere from 3-6 months.


You may be able to assemble the entire setup for cheaper if you can find a cheap paintball tank and a smaller diffuser, or already have some of the items needed.

Is there a magnet thingy that I can use to replace the suction cups on my drop checkers? Preferably something that blends in well. My drop checker's suction cup isn't working any more, and it keeps falling off. It's this one, if that helps. Edit: If nothing comes up, I could always try to super glue a magnet to the suction cup.

I agree with the other commenters that 1 bubble per 4 seconds sounds low. I'd expect you will end up closer to 1 per 2 seconds being correct with a 20g, but there are so many variables that it's anyone's guess.

It sounds like you need to invest in a drop checker. NilocG makes a cheapish one that has the solution pre-mixed for ease, although you absolutely can choose a different one if you'd like.

Finally getting around to installing a CO2 system in my established, planted 45g community tank. The tank is mainly comprised of mosses, dwarf hair grass, tall hair grass, crypts, and a few java plants. I've had problems with black beard algae so I adjusted my light regimen and treated it with H2O2 until it was gone. Now I'm getting growths of green algae, so at this point I'm ready to install a DIY paintball CO2 system to combat the algae, so I can use my lights to their full potential, and to increase plant growth. The parts listed below are my starting point, let me know your thoughts...

Milwaukee MA957 Regulator

Adapter

CO2 Hose--Couldn't find a clear one in 3/16ID

Diffuser

Drop Checker

Check Valve

Timer

For a total of $141 before tax

What is your opinion on this setup?


Additionally I think my Aquaclear 110 is on its last leg so and I'm looking to convert to a canister filter (one that won't break the bank). Should I go with the SunSun HW304B or the SunSun HW704B