- Thread starter
- #41
Would you mind sharing a pic of your plant? There aren’t too many pictures online aside from the few stock photos that everyone uses. Is yours a deep inky purple?
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- Thread starter
- #42
Yup, not impressed with the regulator but pleasantly surprised at their other products, especially the stainless pipes.
Kwyet
After every new tank—“This is my last one!”
It’s an old pic because this has become my farm/collectoritis tank now. This will give the best view of it. I’m planning to do an overhaul on this tank tomorrow actually to try to make it more presentable again. Right now it’s just a jungle.
You probably know about end-of-tank dump
A single stage regulator poses an enormous risk to overdosing those fish, when you get close to the end of the CO2 in the tank 
Here is an explanation of why +:
Basically by the very nature of a single stage regulator, unless you disconnect and refill the CO2 bottle before it gets to the end of pressure, the regulator will allow the remaining CO2 to rush out and poison your livestock.
I don't think you mentioned what you are using to diffuse your CO2
We talk a lot about the Yugang reactor around here
Article 'Yugang CO2 Reactor - A Guide'
Contents:
Benefits of Yugang reactor
Calculate the reactor dimensions
Overflow mode, regulator mode, pH/CO2 controller
Overflow mode, step by step instruction
Regulator mode, pH/CO2 controller mode, step by...
- Yugang
- 20 min read
- Reaction score: 11
- Comments: 11
- Category: CO2 in the Planted Aquarium
Protecting your livestock from that end-of-tank dump is actually one original motivation for Yugang to design his CO2 reactor
Designing and sizing one specifically to match the size of your tank can be a great stopgap protection, until you're ready to go to a dual stage regulator
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- Thread starter
- #45
You probably know about end-of-tank dumpa single stage regulator is an enormous risk to overdose those fish when you get close to the end of the CO2 in the tank
What this means is that, by the very nature of a single stage regulator, unless you disconnect and refill the CO2 bottle before it gets to the end of pressure, the regulator will allow the remaining CO2 to rush out and poison your livestock.
I don't think you mentioned what you are using to diffuse your CO2
Article 'Yugang CO2 Reactor - A Guide'
Contents: Benefits of Yugang reactor Calculate the reactor dimensions Overflow mode, regulator mode, pH/CO2 controller Overflow mode, step by step instruction Regulator mode, pH/CO2 controller mode, step by...
- Yugang
- 20 min read
- Reaction score: 11
- Comments: 11
- Category: CO2 in the Planted Aquarium
It can be a helpful stopgap until you're ready to go to a dual stage regulator
I’m using an FZone in-line diffuser.
I’ve actually been lurking quite a bit on all of the yugang posts and even watched @Jeff Miotke ‘s YouTube video on it. The yugang propaganda is strong here, lol. For how many advantages there are, I haven’t seen any of the pros really talk about any type of horizontal reactors. Is a high quality dual stage regulator not enough insurance against end of tank dump?
It absolutely is
With a high quality regulator, the benefits of a Yugang are then in set-it-and-forget-it cO2 stability, and managing CO2 in very large tanks.
And not having fizzy bubbles in your tank
JayP
Valuable Member
Pros are sponsored, and the only place selling ready built off-the-shelf Yugang reactors is Aqua Rocks Colorado.
MrJG
Active Member
I have the “pro” dual stage so yeah it’s probably the same needle valve hardware regardless of the core regulator. :-/
Folks get excited when something works
The previous vertical reactor options (also hobbyist inventions!) the Cerges and Griggg's CO2 reactors, were just so much less effective.. and so enormous when scaling up for large tanks
Also, @Yugang only invented this in 2023, originally on UKAPS and then refined it here on this forum.
And as @JayP says, it is still very much a DIY hobbyist tool for the most part. There is still only one commercial version available, so far
The pros don't spend much time talking about any reactors.
For one thing, Pros definitely always use good regulators
Even cheap dual-stage reactors are so common now, the single stage regulator end-of-tank dump catastrophe doesn't rank for good YouTube content anymoreAnd mostly the pros use tiny tanks, easy to scape and rescape, and fit on a video screen. Easy to manage with a simple diffuser.
Trying to get 150+ gallon tank up to CO2 saturation quickly every morning is not something the pros spend a lot of screen time wrestling with. Even Green Aqua just doesn't address that issue on their big tanks.
But stability is by far as the most important feature of this reactor. So far the only Pro talking about stability is @Dennis Wong
Why nutrient level stability matters for planted aquariums
Nutrient stability in planted aquariums - how to have stable nutrient levels and why it is important. Avoid triggering algae and tip stunting.
www.2hraquarist.com
Maybe because "aquascaping" still means hardscape-heavy nature dioramas to most people, not the gorgeous plants Dennis grows. I mean, how much stability does moss really need
I think that will change
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BranchScape
Active Member
Echinodorus ‘Aflame’ — my experience so far is that they are growing slowly and remain quite small for a sword. I started with six in the very center of my tank, and even after a month the area still feels fairly sparse. That said, they look very nice and healthy.
The coloration is a deep burgundy-red/purple—noticeably darker than the Bacopa salzmannii I have planted nearby. The tallest plant is only about 4 inches high and 2–3 inches wide at this stage.
In hindsight, I may have removed their older leaves too early, which could have slowed their growth. My main takeaway so far is that they are not particularly large or space-dominant and are the smallest swords I’ve kept to date. Ideally, I’m hoping they reach around 6–10 inches over time.
The coloration is a deep burgundy-red/purple—noticeably darker than the Bacopa salzmannii I have planted nearby. The tallest plant is only about 4 inches high and 2–3 inches wide at this stage.
In hindsight, I may have removed their older leaves too early, which could have slowed their growth. My main takeaway so far is that they are not particularly large or space-dominant and are the smallest swords I’ve kept to date. Ideally, I’m hoping they reach around 6–10 inches over time.
Bonsai sword
seriously if you have discovered a way to get any Echinodorus to grow more slowly, word about that needs to get out!- Thread starter
- #52
Did you purchase TC plants or another form? Same question for @Kwyet
I’m seeing mostly TC in gel and one guy selling submerged. I generally avoid TC
- Thread starter
- #53
I’m very intrigued by the potential for uniform dispersion throughout the tank. This tank is so small, but even so there’s a marked difference from one corner to the next. Of course some of that is due to filtration flow pattern, hardscape, surface agitation, etc. but it does feel a bit crude to have to perfect flow in order to carry a floating mist of bubbles to every part of the tank before it reaches the surface. It’s certainly less efficient than total dissolution.Folks get excited when something works
The previous vertical reactor options (also hobbyist inventions!) the Cerges and Griggg's CO2 reactors, were just so much less effective.. and so enormous when scaling up for large tanks
Also, @Yugang only invented this in 2023, originally on UKAPS and then refined it here on this forum.
And as @JayP says, it is still very much a DIY hobbyist tool for the most part. There is still only one commercial version available, so far
The pros don't spend much time talking about any reactors.
For one thing, Pros definitely always use good regulators
And mostly the pros use tiny tanks, easy to scape and rescape, and fit on a video screen. Easy to manage with a simple diffuser.
Trying to get 150+ gallon tank up to CO2 saturation quickly every morning is not something the pros spend a lot of screen time wrestling with. Even Green Aqua just doesn't address that issue on their big tanks.
But stability is by far as the most important feature of this reactor. So far the only Pro talking about stability is @Dennis Wong
Why nutrient level stability matters for planted aquariums
Nutrient stability in planted aquariums - how to have stable nutrient levels and why it is important. Avoid triggering algae and tip stunting.
Maybe because "aquascaping" still means hardscape-heavy nature dioramas to most people, not the gorgeous plants Dennis grows. I mean, how much stability does moss really need
I think that will change
No plans for a tank larger than 30 gallons but when I do set up my next one I’ll likely try my hand at a Yugang. Seems fun and I love a good DIY
BranchScape
Active Member
I bought them from Dustin's. Which is now sold out. Otherwise I only saw TC. They were partially converted and during planting I trimmed the old growth which I believe was a mistake as they needed more new growth.
dustinsfishtanks.com
Echinodorus AFlame (Sword)
NOTE: The photos labeled "AS OF 3/27/26" is what the plant currently looks like that we are selling. THESE HAVE BEEN GROWING UNDERWATER IN OUR GREENHOUSE FOR OVER A WEEK. Check out those BURGUNDY NEW LEAVES! This is a new Sword to us. Like all Swords these are a heavier root feeder (tabs will...
dustinsfishtanks.com
Buce has a few emersed
Echinodorus Aflame
Echinodorus Aflame Sword is a rare aquatic plant with red-green leaves, easy care, and striking appeal for planted tanks and aquascaping.
buceplant.com
- Thread starter
- #57
Any trouble converting to submerged?
I found this guy on Etsy selling what looks to be submerged plants. I actually used to buy from him frequently when I lived near Sacramento. Great quality plants except I’m almost certain I got planaria from one of the shipments. Might be willing to risk it again and just dip in a No Planaria solution before planting…
BranchScape
Active Member
That is a lot of money for one sword. I would think Houston has some stores that are good sources of plants.
I've bought from them as well. Very healthy plants, although their stems are fragments 3" long
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