Dyi co2

[Brian123]

So I have recently set up a 180 gallon tank with a moderate number of plants. Several types of sword, a couple types of ludwigia, some crypt undulata, several tiger lotuses, and dwarf four leaf clover and microswords. I have 8 t5ho lights that I was running 10-12 hours per day but due to a green dust and diatomes outbreak I have cut the lights in half and run them 10 hours on a timer now. I wanted to add co2 but after spending a significant amount of money setting up the tank I simply cannot afford the hundreds of dollars that would require right now. I was thinking of setting up a dual dyi co2 system, 1 on each side of the tank utilizing 3 each 2 liter bottles as a temporary solution. I realize that it wouldn't be able to provide the full requirements of co2 but would it be better then nothing? Or is this just a waste of time?

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[Fresh2o]

It would be better than nothing. Things you can do to retain the CO2 is to reduce surface agitation from the filters (divert flow, etc).
A setup including an AquaTek Premium Regulator, 5# tank, CO2 tubing, drop checker, ceramic diffuser, bubble counter, and check valve can be had for under $200 on Amazon.
An alternative would be the use of Glutaraldehyde. This is similar to using API CO2 Booster and Seachem Excel but more cost effective. A gallon on Amazon runs for ~$25 and is twice as concentrated as the aforementioned products. Supplies the necessary carbon for plant growth.


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[Ztkirkpatric]

Go get one of the plastic 5 gallon water bottles. That would probably work well, same setup just scaled a little larger, use 10lbs of sugar.


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[Brian123]

How long would something g like that last? I know the 2 liters are good fro 2-3 weeks.

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[Ztkirkpatric]

I make wine in mine and they bubble for several weeks pretty vigorously, then it'll slow for another month or two.


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