CO2 without the bottle, regulator, etc.

[Jack]

I'm interested in adding [acronym:7730ff4193="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:7730ff4193] to my tank, but I'm not really interested in adding a tank w/regulator, solenoid, etc. Probably my biggest reason is that I sold a nice calcium reactor when I sold all of my reef stuff. I can't bring myself to repurchase the stuff.

Anyway, my tank is fish first, plants second. I do have quite a few plants and decent lighting (2 daylight 55w [acronym:7730ff4193="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:7730ff4193]'s and a 40w daylight flour over a std. 75 [acronym:7730ff4193="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:7730ff4193] tank). I would like to add some [acronym:7730ff4193="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:7730ff4193], but don't want a lot of expense or time involved in making everything perfect, or creating conditions that make plants grow at astronomical rates.

Any suggestions?

[justDIY]

you can get decent "slow" plant growth without [acronym:0e5caaf1d1="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:0e5caaf1d1], and using lighting around 2 watts a gallon.

With lighting around 3 watts a gallon, you can introduce the "yeast generator" method of [acronym:0e5caaf1d1="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:0e5caaf1d1]

search for [acronym:0e5caaf1d1="Do it yourself"]diy[/acronym:0e5caaf1d1] co2 here or on google, you basiclly take a empty pop bottle (2 liter), throw in a few cups of water, sugar and a pinch of yeast, and then use an air hose to vent that into your tank's filter.

I feel what you meen about the equipment - that's why I have closets full of stuff that could go on Ebay, but I never know when I might need it again!

Ther is also a product by Seachem, Flourish Excel. Not co2, but an alternate carbon source for plants. Some folks swear by it, but I have no particular opinion on it.

[Jack]

I really want to add [acronym:7fa5a77fd5="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:7fa5a77fd5] to enhance plant growth and potentially help eliminate some hair algae. I have a pretty light bioload so [acronym:7fa5a77fd5="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:7fa5a77fd5] released into the system has to be low.

With the yeast generator, don't you still need something to mix the [acronym:7fa5a77fd5="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:7fa5a77fd5] into the water? Oh and I also have a closet full and then some!

I've seen some of those products that are supposed to enhance plant uptake of nutrients and such, but have never tried.

With the yeast generator, don't you still need something to mix the [acronym:147e867130="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:147e867130] into the water?

With many filters you just place the end of the tubing from your [acronym:147e867130="Do it yourself"]diy[/acronym:147e867130] yeast generator at the filter intake. the filter impeller mashes up the bubbles and the co2 is adsorbed into the water. works pretty well for me with one of my cannister filters.

[talenzmeier]

With the yeast generator, don't you still need something to mix the [acronym:2eed4df04c="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:2eed4df04c] into the water?

That's what I did and it works quite well!

[Jack]

I have a wet/dry, so no way to send direct to a filter. However, I could send to the return pump. Currently, there is a sponge over the intake. I guess I could remove and put the tubing very close to the intake/impellar. Any thoughts?

Talenzmeier, were you stating that you also used the same method as Corvuscorax?

I guess I could remove and put the tubing very close to the intake/impellar. Any thoughts?

Yes, I would try it that way. Or cut a slit in the sponge and stick the tubing in there, something to hold it in place so the bubbles all get sucked into the pump.

[Jack]

Yea, I was thinking about cutting a slit in the sponge. That should keep the [acronym:1d7e52327d="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:1d7e52327d] from escaping and keep the tubing from moving around.

Using [acronym:92bcb2d160="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:92bcb2d160] on a 75 gallon tank with a wet/dry is akin to mental masturbation. It might make you feel like you are accomplishing something but in reality you aren't.