C02 Diffusing in filter...

HI all, wasn't sure what category this question fits into, so figured I would put it here. Moderators, feel free to move it.

I have recently upgraded my lighting to be able to grow plants more successfully, and another FL member told me that I would be best to use a C02 system for better growth. I understand how to make a DIY CO2 system, the only thing I am still confused about is how to actually get the C02 into the tank successfully.

I've read that you can hook it up to the intake part of your filter, but I'm not entirely sure how to do this... My filter has a long plastic tube with the small kind of grated openings at the end to prevent fish and other large things from being sucked into it. So I was wondering if I could use some fishing line or thread and tie the C02 hose to that, and then the suction of the filter would suck all the bubbles in and diffuse them that way? I was unclear if that was the correct way to do that.

Any input on how to make this work would be greatly appreciated!

 

C02?

I posted a similar thread in the filtration section, but thought I might try my luck in this part of the forum too.
I have a planted tank (cryptocoryn wendtiI 'mI oya', cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae, 2x crypt x will, and 1 more) and I have a new Coralife Aqualight 30" dual lamp. I was told by a fellow FL member that I would see best results with ferts and a C02 diffuser.

I understand the DIY C02 canister thing, with the 2L pop bottle, baking soda, sugar and yeast, the only part I am confused about is the actual method of getting the C02 into the tank. I've read quite a few threads, but I get lost when they start talking about the different parts of the filter.

Would this work: having the open hose end tied (with fishing line or thread, perhaps) to the intake tube of my filter? My logic is that the suction of the filter would suck them up into the filter, and they would be broken down in there and then pumped out into the tank. Would that work?

All in all, I'm pretty confused!!

PS - also, if anyone has any suggestions for a good fert, I would love to hear it! Hopefully something that is easy to do and relatively inexpensive. Thanks!

 

HI Paigee
Hope you don't mind, I merged your threads. It get confusing for members to go back and forth between threads for the same topic.
Thanks!
Good luck, I'm sure someone will be able to help

 

You can shove the tubing into the grate and it only has to go in far enough to hold it in place. You may have to remove a bit of grating if it's a small gap in between them.

You can also use an air stone placed near the intake.

-Lisa

 

I busted out one of the grating pins on my filter intake. Then inserted the tubing. I also added an air stone inside the filter basket, but not sure if that part is necessary or not.

If you set up the DIY CO2, you might want to use a 2nd smaller bottle to use as a bubble counter. Then, you'll have a good idea how much CO2 is being diffused into your tank.

As CO2 will lower your pH, you'll need to keep an eye on your inhabitants to ensure they are not negatively affected. Any time you feel you have too much CO2, the get an air stone going. It will help to dissipate you CO2 and increase the O2.

When I first added CO2, I turned the O2 line off during the day and only had it running at night. With the DIY system, you do not have an off valve.

 

Thanks for the tips!!
Dena, or anyone, do you know how to do a DIY C02 bubble counter? Or is this even possible? I've tried to rea up on it but everything seemed really confusing!

 

The airline tubing should go from your 2-liter with your yeast mix into the smaller bottle filled half way with plain water....the tube should be under the water level. Then, a 2nd line from the smaller bottle to your tank. The 2nd line should be above the water level, same as in your yeast bottle.

After about 12-hours, you should notice bubbles starting. If not, check for leaks.

This video might help:

 

Thanks that video was helpful!

 

Good advice above for hooking the airline up to the filter intake. For a good basic fertilizer I would go with Seachem Flourish Comprehensive. It is simple to use, gives excellent results & is the most economical commercial fert that I know of. If you have some plants that are heavy root feeders such as Sword plants then pick up a pack of Flourish Root Tablets & follow the packet instructions.

 

Is this a canister filter?

 

Thanks for the tip nutter! And suemvb, I'm not sure, you'll have to wait for a more experienced member to answer that one. In the mean time, try googling "aquarium canister filter" and look under s, that should help you out

 

I meant is your filter a canister? Lol I just asked because if its a HOB filter you might want to just run the co2 into an air stone so you don't loose your co2 into the air.

 

Ohh lol ok I misunderstood. No I dot have a canister filter, I'm thinking I'll either run an air stone, though I've heard those aren't as efficient so I might get a small less powerful filter and run it through there

 

There are a bunch of diy solutions. A little in-tank power head type filter with a sponge is a good one to look at. I think there was a thread here recently. An air stone is good enough that you will see a difference in your plants. That's all my tanks have right now. Try to keep the tank really full so the filter doesn't disturb the surface to much.

 

I have the tank filled within millimeters of the black top part of the tank and it is still really powerful and loud... So I am thinking of looking into a small powerhead just for C02

 

A Hagen Elite MinI filter works great and only costs $10. In fact there was just a video posted not long ago Here is a link.

 

That's the thread I was thinking of Nate and I saw a similar thread on another forum with a link to petco selling those for like five bucks. I plan to try that myself

 

Steal of a deal!! Today I went to Petsmart to find supplies for my C02 diffuser and got a small filter (by a brand called Elite or something... Not Hagen Elite, could only find the media for that one) and the air tubing for just over $8!! The filter was on clearance for $5.50!

 

Sweet!

 

Good deal! Let us know how it works out, it always good to have alternatives.

 

Will do! I'm getting so impatient waiting for my tank to cycle... sigh. Day 3 with shrimp today.. Maybe 4, can't remember exactly

 

good for you for waiting through the fishless cycle! I could never do it. I've always just gotten used media and a few handfulls of gravel from a little lfs by me and then started adding fish slowly. I don't know how you can stand a tank sitting empty for several weeks.

 

Well I put an old filter cartridge in my filter and it hasn't really seemed to speed things up much... might try adding some gravel in a nylon, I've heard that helps too.