10lb CO2 for 90G?

[Jim Miller]

I'm wondering whether a 20lb tank is just too much overkill for a 90G. Assuming an inline efficient reactor and a 30ppm target and an 8hr/day duration I was hoping for a year assuming no leaks.

Is a 10lb tank likely to be close enough? Is a 20lb tank overkill? I've got the height under the stand for the 20lb but it will be close and make the gauges clumsy to read.

Thanks

Jim (currently looking at aquariumplants.com)

[jcali10]

I don't think it's overkill. I've gotten about 6 months out of a 10 lb tank on a 50 gallon tank, though I'm not sure of the ppm because I don't use my drop checker like I should. I just kinda eyeball it. If the fish are happy and the plants are doing alright I'm happy.

The 20 is also the most economical option. I have 5 and 10 lb CO2 tanks. There is a very small difference in the cost to fill up both tanks. The 5 lb may be $21 for example and the 10 lb $24. Doesn't make sense but that's the way it is.

You can also get a manifold for your regulator later on if you want to run CO2 to more than one aquarium. You can run 2 or 3 or as many as a dozen depending on the manifold. I think most people would opt for splitting the CO2 between a couple of tanks. I currently run my 29G and 50G on a 10 lb tank, and use my 5 lb as a backup for when the 10 gets low.

I believe I also purchased my tanks from aquariumplants.com, they ran some great sales in the past. I purchased empty ones, but they even sell them filled.

[Jim Miller]

I found the Fireline mention in another post which will give me the refill option rather than the Roberts swap only. I'll go for the 20lb.

Thanks!

jim