Getting confused by all the CO2/EI guides...

[Luananeko]

I'm interested in getting into CO2 and fert dosing for my 75 gallon tank, but I'm having trouble researching how to go about it. Chemistry has never been one of my strong suits and all of the guides I've read about how to set up CO2 or do EI are like trying to learn a foreign language (another thing I've struggled with). Also, most of the links in the Resources & References sticky appear to be broken...

Can anyone recommend some easier to understand guides or dosing schedules? Also, are there specific brands of CO2 systems that should be avoided? I definitely want a pressurized CO2 system, preferably one that is as forgiving as possible of mistakes as I don't want to accidentally hurt any of my fish. Extra features that make it easy to tell if I'm overdosing CO2 or if my CO2 tank needs replacing soon would be ideal too.

Here's the other details on my tank atm if it helps:

- 75 gallon tank
- GLO Dual T5HO lighting fixture running a 6500K and a Colormax bulb
- Rena Filstar XP3 filter running with 1 package of biozorb, 1 package of nitrazorb, LOTS of biomax tubes, and the default foam types that came with the filter
- Marineland Emperor 400 filter (soon to be decommissioned as I think it's too much current for my guppies and I hear HOB bio-wheel filters are bad for degassing CO2)
- 20" bubble wall (currently runs constantly to meet my Hillstream Loach's oxygen requirements, but my LFS says he should be fine without it during the day when I swap to CO2 since the plants will generate more oxygen)
- My plants/fish stock is in my profile

Any other tips/suggestions are appreciated as well. Thanks!

 

[Jscoggins]

I have an Emperor 400 and a Whisper 60 on my 55 gal. planted with DYI co2 and I seem to be just fine..
I use my Whisper 60 during the day because it causes alot less surface turbulance and then about 10-15 min. after the lights go out, my Emperor 400 kicks on..I think it helps churn the water adding oxygen, because I have no air stones. The fish really seem to like it..

 

[rkilling1]

I would retire the emperor as well.

Before you get started, how much do you plan on spending? This will be the determining factor on what setup I would recommend.

 

[Luananeko]

Spending isn't much of a concern. I'd rather spend the money to do it right. From what I've seen I'm expecting to spend $300ish, but I'm able to spend more if needed.

 

[rkilling1]

Spending isn't much of a concern. I'd rather spend the money to do it right. From what I've seen I'm expecting to spend $300ish, but I'm able to spend more if needed.

You can get a manufactured setup for around 100 bucks. This does not include the reactor or diffuser or the CO2 bottle.

I made my own with clippard parts and a welding regulator. And it works great.

There are quite of few people that will put together a top notch setup for you. This would include a duel stage regulator and a VERY fine needle valve. They run from 200 to 400 bucks.

If you just plan on purchasing a 'run of the mill' regulator, I can post links to many of them that are available.

 

[Luananeko]

You can get a manufactured setup for around 100 bucks. This does not include the reactor or diffuser or the CO2 bottle.

I made my own with clippard parts and a welding regulator. And it works great.

There are quite of few people that will put together a top notch setup for you. This would include a duel stage regulator and a VERY fine needle valve. They run from 200 to 400 bucks.

If you just plan on purchasing a 'run of the mill' regulator, I can post links to many of them that are available.

I've seen diagrams of a lot of CO2 systems and they seem like they have so many parts it's a bit intimidating... I'm not to confident in my own DIY skills, so something that has all the parts I need (either with or without the CO2 bottle) with instructions on how to put them together would be ideal. The system doesn't necessarily have to be top notch since I'm not trying to win any aquascape contests or anything, but it should be durable and hopefully "newbie friendly" in that it's easy to use and helps me avoid major catastrophes like "end of tank" overloads

 

[rkilling1]

I've seen diagrams of a lot of CO2 systems and they seem like they have so many parts it's a bit intimidating... I'm not to confident in my own DIY skills, so something that has all the parts I need (either with or without the CO2 bottle) with instructions on how to put them together would be ideal. The system doesn't necessarily have to be top notch since I'm not trying to win any aquascape contests or anything, but it should be durable and hopefully "newbie friendly" in that it's easy to use and helps me avoid major catastrophes like "end of tank" overloads

First, the end of tank dump is really only a concern if you are already pushing the limits of how much CO2 you are putting into your tank.

Second, by top notch I'm not talking about appearances, I'm talking about the finer controls. The really fine needle valves are really expensive. For instance, an Ideal V54 needle Valve runs close to 70 bucks just for the valve.

Here is a nice write up for setting up a CO2 system:

http://www.gpodio.com/co2_setup.asp

I will put some links to various regulators that are available. I will continue to edit this as I find the links:

http://www.aquariumguys.com/milwaukee-co2-regulator.html

http://www.aquariumguys.com/co2-reg-solenoid.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AZOO-CO2-Pr...327?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f1767a9ef

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3747+9935&pcatid=9935

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Milwaukee-M...008?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item519f0cfee8

http://greenleafaquariums.com/co2-regulators.html

http://www.aquariumplants.com/category_s/192.htm

http://www.barrreport.com/showthread.php/9194-FS-CO2-supplies-(regulators-and-more)

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/swap-n-shop/176407-fs-complete-dual-stage-pressurized-co2.html

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/sale-trade/84059-fs-go-dual-stage-co2-pressure.html

Here is a nice thread about making them yourself:
http://www.barrreport.com/showthread.php/8236-Regulator-Build-Links

 

[Luananeko]

Thank you! This helps a lot. So all I have to do is put one of those regulators onto a CO2 tank and then an airline from that to a diffuser? Or is there some other part I'm missing?

Edit: Oops, just saw the link explaining how to set it all up. That's exactly the sort of guide I was looking for!

 

[meegosh]

I'd recommend the MA957 regulator. I got mine on ebay for $89. It came with solenoid (turns CO2 on and off), bubble counter (quick visual check of CO2 to get started), needle valve (fine tuning the amount of CO2) and tubing. I would recommend a reactor that would go inline with your canister filter. There are plenty of DIY options out there for that.

As far as ferts, I started with EI but grew tired of daily dosing. I ended up doing a modified PPS-Pro regime. I built auto dosers that dosed to proper amount of liquid mix daily. I got about 15 days out of the containers in my 30g. I got plans in the DIY section of that.

There is plenty of things you can go cheap on. I would say get a good reactor though. I've never had to tweak my MA957 after I got it set up.

 

[jetajockey]

I've heard good things about the ma957 also. Some have complained about having issues controlling bubble count but you could always plug in a fabco NV-55 needle valve later on if it becomes a problem for you. Having one built by one of the gurus does sound enticing though, guess it just depends on your budget and goals.

 

[Luananeko]

I've heard good things about the ma957 also. Some have complained about having issues controlling bubble count but you could always plug in a fabco NV-55 needle valve later on if it becomes a problem for you. Having one built by one of the gurus does sound enticing though, guess it just depends on your budget and goals.

As mentioned, I'm not too worried about budget at the moment I do like the idea of having someone build the system for me as I tend to be paranoid that I'm doing things wrong... I feel a lot better after reading that guide though.

 

[aqua_chem]

I use the Milwaukee. It works fine for me. I needle valve does leave some to be desired, but it's more than functional. Well worth the money, IMO.

 

[blert]

Money is not an issue? Here ya go...
http://www.aquariumplants.com/product_p/co2-a1.htm
There are more expensive kits out there but this one is electronic, no needle valves to fuss with.

 

[Luananeko]

Money is not an issue? Here ya go...
COMPLETE ULTIMATE Co2 SYSTEM (best of the best)($600+ VALUE ! )
There are more expensive kits out there but this one is electronic, no needle valves to fuss with.

Money isn't an issue as long as it's well spent If the system is indeed worth the money then I'll definitely consider it... If I can get something just as good for a fraction of the cost I'll obviously go with that instead though!

 

[jetajockey]

I saw that electronic one a while back, looks very convincing. I have not seen any reviews on it yet but it seems like it'd be great.

 

[rkilling1]

I saw that electronic one a while back, looks very convincing. I have not seen any reviews on it yet but it seems like it'd be great.

From reading up on it, just save your money and get a needle valve.

Many people have posted that theirs just stopped working.

 

[Luananeko]

The reviews on the site look very promising... I wouldn't be able to get it until my bonus at work comes in (early August), but if it is as good as it sounds it's tempting. My tank seems to be at that odd balance of light, fish, and water changes that it's not having algae issues, so the wait shouldn't be an issue. I just want my plants to look as awesome as everyone says the co2 makes them look

Edit: Ah, missed your post rkilling1. That's good to know. There's no sense throwing money away on something that's just going to break.

 

[aqua_chem]

I personally think the pH probes are a waste of money. The fancy reactor is overkill as well.

 

[Luananeko]

I personally think the pH probes are a waste of money. The fancy reactor is overkill as well.

The fancy reactor does seem to not be worth the money as I read into it more, but what's bad about the pH probes? To a newbie like me they sound very helpful since it's a pain to constantly be testing the pH to make sure you're staying in a proper range...

 

[rkilling1]

Do people really check the pH anymore? They made drop checkers many years ago. It constantly monitors your CO2 by means of color changing water.

I set my regulator to acheive 30 PPM on my drop checker and don't touch it until it's time for a refill. I usually need a refill every 8 months.