Co2 for the win!

[Marvelous]

Ok so I finally want to learn about Co2 equiptment. I just dont understand it I guess, but I want to put it in my planted 10g without killing my fish. I have seen those DIY pop bottle ideas and Im at home this weekend so I think I want to make one. But before I put it into my tank I need to know what Im doing... I know that you can over do it, but like I said I dont want to kill my fish so any tips/info/advice/suggestions on Co2 would be greatly appreciated. I want to expand my Co2 knowledge.

Thanks
Marv

 

[partypalooza5]

I got DIY CO2 on my 10G tank and so far haven't had any problems. Then again, I just "wing it" because I'm too cheap to buy a test kit or anything..

What kind of diffuser are you using?

 

[Marvelous]

diffuser

Like I said I dont really know anything about co2, so I dont know what a diffuser is I guess. Is that like the filter?

 

[Marvelous]

Diffuser

Ok, i see what you mean. I didnt even know I needed one of those. Do you have picture or pictures of your DIY co2 setup? I would like to see a good setup for a 10g, and if yours is fine then I would like to try it. How long has yours been setup? This is what I found CO2 Nano Diffuser | Green Leaf Aquariums, what do you think?

 

[joy13]

Sometimes those ceramic diffusers don't work very well with DIY CO2, in on of my tanks I have a limewood airstone and the other tank I have it going in the HOB filter. Another way some diffuse their CO2 is a piece of chopstick put in the tubing.

The only thing that I really keep an eye on is making sure the mix doesn't get in the tank.

 

[Marvelous]

wood diffuser

So the co2 will leak through the wood? Like a chopstick or a tooth pick? Or a wooden dowl?

 

[marchmaxima]

I would point you to a really good article, but it appears it was taken down not too long ago. However, I saved the schematic of a recommended DIY CO2 setup. I took it shopping when I wanted to get everthing I needed.

Personally, I use a glass diffuser from eBay I bought for $6.00. Works really well! I know of others who have added powerheads to move the bubbles all over the tank getting even better results.

HTH

 

[joy13]

So the co2 will leak through the wood? Like a chopstick or a tooth pick? Or a wooden dowl?

I don't know if a wooden dowel will work but I know the chopstick will. It will be a fine mist of bubbles.

 

[djrusselljoseph]

I would point you to a really good article, but it appears it was taken down not too long ago. However, I saved the schematic of a recommended DIY CO2 setup. I took it shopping when I wanted to get everthing I needed.

Personally, I use a glass diffuser from eBay I bought for $6.00. Works really well! I know of others who have added powerheads to move the bubbles all over the tank getting even better results.

HTH

Awesome!
Thanks for this.

I was advised to add 3 bottles for my 75G. EEks!!

 

[fort384]

For your 75G tank, I would recommend a pressurized system. Initial cost will be more expensive, but worth it in the long run. You may need 4 or 5 bottles for a 75G tank, depending. The amount of time and frustration a pressurized system would save you (changing 4-5 mixture bottles, yikes!) would be well worth the cost of the pressurized system imo.

 

[djrusselljoseph]

Thanks fort384 for the feedback.

I would love to eliminate the use of 2 or 3 2L bottles. Unfortunately, having a pressurized system is not an option right now. Not even about the $$$. It's about having small kids. My 8 year old I am not worried about, it's the 2 year old that is exploring like mad.

 

[timwag2001]

i use 5 bottles on my 55g and i think that it might not be quite up to par. but i suppose having some co2 is better than none.

 

[djrusselljoseph]

i use 5 bottles on my 55g and i think that it might not be quite up to par. but i suppose having some co2 is better than none.

What sort of lighting requirement do your plants need and how does your lighting procedure go?

 

[timwag2001]

a couple of my plants have mid to high lighting requirements, but most are low light. i have 2 54w t5 bulbs. i keep them on for about 8 hours a day.

 

[djrusselljoseph]

Gosh,
I only have 1 bulb, but it's huge.
Does that make a difference?

 

[Purrbox]

Thanks fort384 for the feedback.

I would love to eliminate the use of 2 or 3 2L bottles. Unfortunately, having a pressurized system is not an option right now. Not even about the $$$. It's about having small kids. My 8 year old I am not worried about, it's the 2 year old that is exploring like mad.

You should be able to put the CO2 cylinder in the aquarium stand and put some latches on the doors to keep the 2 year old out. You really will save yourself a lot of frusteration if you can go pressurized.

 

[djrusselljoseph]

How about the dangers? Are there any?

I am a bit wary. Should I be? I should actually be more wary of what I currently have I suppose, with the 1 2L bottle on the floor.

 

[djrusselljoseph]

Ok,
Just visited Big Al's Online. There are what seems to be, some simple setups.
Maybe I am getting thrown off by some of the setups I have seen from some of the members here at AA. Huge tanks, and what not.

 

[timwag2001]

what kind of bulb and how many watts?

 

[djrusselljoseph]

54w
life-glo
T5 HO
6700k