I surely noticed that when I tried fiddling with an improv co2 reactor that didnt work right, and took out my ceramic diffuser, my co2 levels were not high enough throughout the entire photoperiod. My drop checker was blue-green in the morning and maybe yellowish enough by the very end of the day (some days not). This was for about 2 or 3 days. I said to heck with it and replaced my glass diffuser. When I put the diffuser back into the tank, my co2 levels were where they should be for the entire lighting period. Basically, there was a disruption of adequate and stable co2 for 2-3 days. After these few days, and I replaced the diffuser, I had clumps of BBA springing up all over the tank. As well as some thread algae. But since the co2 was now consistent again, the BBA never spread any further than its initial outburst, and has since died back (with a little help from my friend Excel ).

I use pressurised co2, and at least in my tank, I saw the induction of BBA after the brief disruption of co2 stability during the photoperiod. I think that diy yeast co2 can be sufficient if levels are kept stable more importantly than really high. Using multiple yeast generators, and efficient co2 dissolution techniques is probably the key to this.

Regarding chlorine, I tend to THINK (I dont really know) that neutralizing it is more important for the fish, rather than for the bacteria or plants. I have washed my bio sponge from my whisper HOB filter in chlorinated tap water many times, with no noticeable negative effects. I have also thrown plant clippings in buckets of untreated tap water, and water all of my house and yard plants with untreated, chlorinated tap water, all of which do fine. BUT, I have never put fish in a tank of water in which the chlorine hasn't been neutralized. Maybe they would do fine, but fish (and inverts/shrimp) just seem to me like they would be more sensitive to this than bacteria and plants. Bacteria are just so prolific anyways, same with yeast in diy co2 bottles. Plain tap water has never negatively effected it (yeast) in my experiences.

I'm not really any kind of expert, but I do have some experience....and there it is.
Great discussion fellaz!

-Mike B-