co2

[fishfanatic]

Ok that is all good to know! Do all powerheads come with an air line compatibleity?

 

[fort384]

no... but the ones that dont, you could just put the co2 line behind the powerhead and it would work. It would be easier though if there was an airline hookup.

 

[fishfanatic]

How do I stop my Ph from going bonkers?

 

[mfdrookie516]

it'll drop.. no way around it. but it won't go 'bonkers'

 

[fishfanatic]

So not enough to kill my fish right? How many jugs should I have with the yeast in them?

 

[fort384]

for a 35gal? I would say you will at least need 2. More likely 3, if you are ever going to maintain 30+ppm. I wouldn't try running DIY CO2 on a tank much bigger than yours....

And no, it won't kill your fish

 

[fishfanatic]

It would do nothing but help even if I just had one?

 

[mfdrookie516]

no... insufficient co2 that barely raises co2 above equilibrium is BBA's favorite thing. worse than no co2.

 

[fort384]

If you can't get it up and keep it up around 30ppm, than I would rather not have it. If the CO2 levels are low and unstable, but slightly above equilibrium with air, it will invite all kinds of algae growth.

 

[fishfanatic]

O gosh I don't know if I can do all of this. Is there a kit avalable that has everything and is going to keep my tank at 30ppm

 

[fort384]

yes. A pressurized Co2 system... somewhere around $160 and you could have that up and running.


DIY on your tank would work, but like I said, I wouldnt try it on anything bigger... and if you run DIY you have to keep up with the mixture changes, or it can cause problems quickly.

 

[mfdrookie516]

pressurized is really the only way to keep a steady supply of co2.... and its not all that expensive really. I paid $89 for my regulator with bubble counter, needle valve, and co2 tubing... $50 for my cylinder, and about $10 for my drop checker... then I made my reactor. So, about $150 for enough co2 to last you probably close to a year.

 

[fishfanatic]

Is there some kind of device that will regulate the co2 output to keep it at exactly 30ppm. (I don't want algae)

 

[fort384]

If you setup a pressurized system, yes. a pH controller will keep it exactly at whatever you want it to be at.

 

[mfdrookie516]

a pH controller will. But, that makes the price go up to $189 for the regulator/bubblecounter/needle valve/tubing/pH controller... so more like $250.

But, you don't get co2 swings once you get your co2 right with the configuration I have.


EDIT: Yet again, fort beat me

 

[fishfanatic]

Could you possibly give me a list of everything that I would need or a website that has a walk through?

 

[mfdrookie516]

I listed it out already (post 52). eseasongear.com seems to have the best prices on regulators. That's where I got mine.

 

[fishfanatic]

That is absolutely everything I would need? Would the power head be good enough to keep up with this set up

 

[mfdrookie516]

Yeah, whichever you prefer... the reactor would probably be cheaper (i think i have about $10-15 in mine).

If you get a pH controller, you don't have to have the drop checker, though its good for peace of mind.

 

[fishfanatic]

I wish you could just come to my house and build it for me! I still don't know what a drop checker is... sorry I am so dumb!