Cheap Co2 Setup(will It Work?)

I saw on a youtube video that one aquarium store owner just fills an upturned water bottle with co2 in his aquariums rather than using the full c02 setup. this means that all the co2 has to get absorbed into the water so it sound really efficient and no power usage.

I'm thinking of buying some cheap co2 cartridges and giving it a try.

the only downside I can think of is will too much co2 get absorbed into the water and kill the fish?

 

Don't know much about co2 but once you dunk the bottle in you have no way to regulate or see how much is being dispersed into your tank. Do you have the link to the video? IMO I would save up for a proper system instead of risking your fishes lives for better plant growth. But that's me.

 

I saw the video .
Great method IMO if you can tolerate seeing the bottle ..

 

 

Wow!! Absolutely amazing. Tha nks for the video. Looks like their doing something right . Interested to see if you set your co2 up like that. Please post pics if and when you do!!

 

I don't see the advantage of this.
In a store with 50 different tanks, seems to fit the need.
But for home I don't want to fill a bottle up everyday versus having it work without a thought.

In my tank that bottle would flip anyhow.
Again it seems to be working but... ease and efficiency of delivered product I am questioning.

The cost saving is only about 80$.

 

ive seen that video.

At petco there are cheap minI co2 systems. Fluval sells the minI co2 system for $45 I think. And replacement co2 canisters for $20.

 

I don't want to pay for a full setup, at my local store it would cost £140(£110 online) last time I asked. I have 2 tanks so its a big chunk to set them both up.

the minI system refills are a rip off, £15 for 45g refills when the big 500g bottles are £30 then £15 to be refilled. it would end up costing more for the small setup after a few refills.

ive never been too bothered about co2 but if I can get a paintball/bike co2 cartridge for £1 each(16g) to give my plants a boost once a week I wanna try it.

the guy in the video says his bottle last a few days so you'd only have to refill twice a week, this could be a viable solution for the monetarily challanged aquarium owners out there who would like to try out co2 and don't mind the effort+uglyness. I'm suprised ive never seen it anywhere till now.

 

I still think its a great idea weather its for 1 tank or 50. After all we check out our tanks daily so opening a valve and pumping some co2 that way that litterally takes about 3 seconds isn't going to set you back time wise. Just my .02

 

I think it's a great idea. I'm new to aquarium life and I'm learning daily by reading post on here and websites. I am cycling a 29 gallon that I want to plant and co2 systems are expensive. Or from what I can tell. I have no idea what pieces are needed. From my looking it's about 100$+ for full setup with no co2 and 60$ for disposable systems. I can get a full bottle of co2 for around 50$ and I could have months of co2 and only need to buy a hose to fill. No diffuser or anything to clean. I might find a nice glass jar or something that I can glue on a couple suction cups and try this method.

 

got my co2 set up £5($6) for the pump and 80p($1) for the 16g cartridges.

attached this air tube and piece of fishing rod to keep my hands dry(had no metal coat hangers).
as you can see the bottle is not too much of an eyesore in the 65g but more so in the 20g.



so a full bottle lasts 18-20h. ive filled them up 6 times and the first cartridge is still going.

today ive changed to only filling 1/3 so it lasts till I turn the lights off at night. this means one cartridge will last at least 18 refills. it'll most likely last 2 weeks for my 2 tanks.

I'm gonna switch the bottles for smaller ones so they take up less room I think.

so in summery this would cost $3 setup fee(for the cheapest pump on ebay), and $1 per tank, per month to maintain.

 

got my co2 set up £5($6) for the pump and 80p($1) for the 16g cartridges.

attached this air tube and piece of fishing rod to keep my hands dry(had no metal coat hangers).

as you can see the bottle is not too much of an eyesore in the 65g but more so in the 20g.


so a full bottle lasts 18-20h. ive filled them up 6 times and the first cartridge is still going.

today ive changed to only filling 1/3 so it lasts till I turn the lights off at night. this means one cartridge will last at least 18 refills. it'll most likely last 2 weeks for my 2 tanks.

I'm gonna switch the bottles for smaller ones so they take up less room I think.

so in summery this would cost $3 setup fee(for the cheapest pump on ebay), and $1 per tank, per month to maintain.

The fishing rod is brilliant and oh so appropriate !
Well done !

 

Love it!! I was thinking about getting larger salt and pepper shaker that are glass and attaching them to suction cups to hide either in the back or on the side. I know I'll need maybe 4 but I think the shakers won't be much of an eye sore. But love it!!

 

What did you use to attach the pump to the airline? I'm over here looking at them and idk what you used to attach the air line

 

What did you use to attach the pump to the airline? I'm over here looking at them and idk what you used to attach the air line

clear silicone

 

Ah gotcha love it

 

I am thinking about doing this finally I just need to grab the air pump. How is yours going DavidMicke?

 

Hi all!
I was looking for a cheap CO2 system that is not DIY. I say this because I want the system to last a long time and continue to work for years to come. It would be very helpful if you could provide links to the thing you are recommending. Thanks!

 

I’ll be following this I also want to know because I’m kinda broke lol.I was thinking of blowing into the water with a straw

 

I’ll be following this I also want to know because I’m kinda broke lol.I was thinking of blowing into the water with a straw

Lol. I'm broke too!

 

I’ll be following this I also want to know because I’m kinda broke lol.I was thinking of blowing into the water with a straw

Lol maybe it could work.

 

Lol maybe it could work.

maybe, but I don't think it'll work that well.

 

maybe, but I don't think it'll work that well.

Yeah unless you wanna end up with your spit in the tank and getting Cerebral hypoxia.

 

Maybe -Mak- Chanyi Fishproblem Vishaquatics or SnookusFish can help...

 

There isn't a cheap alternative to real effective co2 injection. What plants are you trying to grow

 

There isn't a cheap alternative to real effective co2 injection. What plants are you trying to grow

Rotala rotundifolia and Golden nesaea. I was talking more about like if I could get them from like some place that sells beer making supplies and get the stuff for cheaper than if it were for sale by an aquarium site.

 

Cheap, non-DIY long lasting CO2 systems don't really exist.

Look into classifieds and go with a used quality unit maybe??

 

Define cheap lol. Cheap for injected co2? That's the route I took, and it was overall not atrocious, but you might be walking a lot of dogs to pay for it lol. This is what I bought:

Valken CO2 Aluminum Tank 20oz. $25
FZone CO2 Regulator - Triple Stage with DC Solenoid and Bubble Counter (also came with paintball converter ) $90 on Amazon
Jardli Clear CO2 Proof Tubing $10
Dennerle Check Valve $30
Jardli U Shape Diffuser $17

You could definitely save by going with a less expensive diffuser, and check valve (that check valve was $30 but I was desperate for something guaranteed to work at the point I bought it). I'd actually recommend buying any of your glassware off-brand from ebay or aliexpress. This also doesn't include the drop checker and solution which I think was another $10.

I will say I'm really happy with my setup, and any trouble with my tank has been due to my own inattention, not the gear. It all works just as it should. I think the fzone products are an awesome value.

 

I’m genuinely interested now. Can I actually just blow into the tank with a straw a few times a day?

 

Cheap, non-DIY long lasting CO2 systems don't really exist.

Look into classifieds and go with a used quality unit maybe??

Ok thanks!

Define cheap lol. Cheap for injected co2? That's the route I took, and it was overall not atrocious, but you might be walking a lot of dogs to pay for it lol. This is what I bought:

Valken CO2 Aluminum Tank 20oz. $25
FZone CO2 Regulator - Triple Stage with DC Solenoid and Bubble Counter (also came with paintball converter ) $90 on Amazon
Jardli Clear CO2 Proof Tubing $10
Dennerle Check Valve $30
Jardli U Shape Diffuser $17

You could definitely save by going with a less expensive diffuser, and check valve (that check valve was $30 but I was desperate for something guaranteed to work at the point I bought it). I'd actually recommend buying any of your glassware off-brand from ebay or aliexpress. This also doesn't include the drop checker and solution which I think was another $10.

I will say I'm really happy with my setup, and any trouble with my tank has been due to my own inattention, not the gear. It all works just as it should. I think the fzone products are an awesome value.

Less than $150 is cheap IMO. Thanks! I'll look those all up rn!

Define cheap lol. Cheap for injected co2? That's the route I took, and it was overall not atrocious, but you might be walking a lot of dogs to pay for it lol. This is what I bought:

Valken CO2 Aluminum Tank 20oz. $25
FZone CO2 Regulator - Triple Stage with DC Solenoid and Bubble Counter (also came with paintball converter ) $90 on Amazon
Jardli Clear CO2 Proof Tubing $10
Dennerle Check Valve $30
Jardli U Shape Diffuser $17

You could definitely save by going with a less expensive diffuser, and check valve (that check valve was $30 but I was desperate for something guaranteed to work at the point I bought it). I'd actually recommend buying any of your glassware off-brand from ebay or aliexpress. This also doesn't include the drop checker and solution which I think was another $10.

I will say I'm really happy with my setup, and any trouble with my tank has been due to my own inattention, not the gear. It all works just as it should. I think the fzone products are an awesome value.

Wait, won't an aluminum can rust?

 

I’m genuinely interested now. Can I actually just blow into the tank with a straw a few times a day?

if you're blowing into a diffuser, maybe! you'd have to sit there for a long time though. The bubbles from a straw are big, and move fast. They won't dissolve into the water column enough before they pop at the surface. Tiny bubbles from diffusers make for maximal surface area and maximum diffusion into the water. Also consider - it takes two hours for my co2 to get to a high enough level to be effective prior to lights on. you'll be blowing into a straw at 7am lol.

Now, that said. Inflating a balloon and attaching it to a cheap regulator with some rubber bands? Now THAT could work.

Goofing aside, this is a cheap option that I'm really compelled by, and really want to try on my 30 gallon. It's basically a high tech diy CO2 tank. US $58.87 30% OFF|Aquarium CO2 Generator System Kit Stainless Steel CO2 Cylinder Generator System Carbon Dioxide Reactor Kit for Plants Aquarium|CO2 Equipment| - AliExpress

EDIT:
Nevermind everyone, your exhalations are only 4% CO2! Not gonna do the trick lol

Ok thanks!

Less than $150 is cheap IMO. Thanks! I'll look those all up rn!

Wait, won't an aluminum can rust?

I thought the $150 mark was not bad at all, for what it is.

I imagine it might rust if you keep it inside your tank, but that's not where the CO2 tanks go lol Mine is also powder coated. I got it cause it looks cool, but any paintball co2 tank will do!

 

I use one of the 95G Fluval CO2 systems and run it as a passive system on 2 tanks. Not nearly as effective as running a full blown CO2 injection system, but very definitely gives plants a boost compared to running nothing. The 95G CO2 cartridges last about 2 months doing it this way (again, across 2 tanks). I can't imagine finding a non DIY setup that's going to be cheaper than this.

 

I thought the $150 mark was not bad at all, for what it is.

I imagine it might rust if you keep it inside your tank, but that's not where the CO2 tanks go lol Mine is also powder coated. I got it cause it looks cool, but any paintball co2 tank will do!

Yeah.

I'm gonna do a bit more research and I'll be back with what I find.

 

Has anyone tried passive CO2 successfully? I'm also looking for a cheap system (to me that means under $50 but I'm willing to diy) and found disposable spray cans of CO2. You don't use a diffuser with them, instead you an upside down cup with the CO2 and just leave a large submersed bubble. Supposedly that bubble reservoir will dissolve into the water based on solubility laws as the plants use up the CO2 over the course of the day. This route would save a lot on equipment cost (no regulator, no solenoid, no diffuser or bubble counter) and you could spread out the cost of CO2 by buying the smaller disposable containers instead of going all in for a real tank. But does it actually work?

 

Has anyone tried passive CO2 successfully?

Here's how mine is set up in my 40B, don't even need to get my hands wet to refill the bell. I keep CO2 check valves (the white ball looking thing in the top left of the pic) on both tanks, and just hook the canister to the check valve to refill.

 

Ok here's what I found after looking around a bit. Let me know if any of the equipment won't work with the other equipment.

• CO2 Tank
• CO2 Regulator
• Tubing
• Check Valve
• Diffuser
• Drop Checker and Solution

Thanks!

 

wateriswet Passive CO2 does "work" but it is no where near hightech levels of CO2. You will almost never reach 30-40ppm CO2 in the water with passive CO2. Some people have estimated that passive CO2 will only provide a few extra ppms of CO2, however I haven't measured it out for myself. Passive CO2 is the equivalent of giving just a small boost to a lowtech aquarium that has low levels of lighting and easy plants. I have used passive CO2 in the past, but the results do not compare to using an actual pressurized system, or even a DIY system.

AcornTheBetta If you are looking for a long term reliable CO2 setup, then it is wise to invest in high quality equipment, even if it may take you a bit more time to acquire. Realistically, the only "high quality" equipment that is truly required is a high quality regulator. The regulator is by far the most important thing to spend your money wisely on.

When I was first starting out with CO2, I went for a lot of low quality equipment and ended up spending more in the long run once my regulators started failing. In the beginning, I exclusively used the single stage Fzone regulators, but they proved to be unreliable over time, especially on larger setups. I had many issues with the bubble count stability and solenoid failure. A regulator failing not only warrants a replacement expense, but often causes plant stock to stunt or melt as a result of the CO2 instability. I currently use an Fzone regulator on my nano tank, but that is because it is only a display tank. A regulator failure on that tank would not be detrimental to the plants I grow for profit.

High quality does not have to mean expensive... There are plenty of people who are always getting out of the hobby and either giving away their system for free, or at very low prices. Craigslist or FB marketplace is a great place to find regulators and CO2 tanks, which are often the most expensive components of your system. A 10lb or 20lb CO2 cylinder is a great choice for size, especially since it will last a while on most setups. They are also commonly available online and most gas stores will readily fill these sizes or swap them.

Great regulator brands include CO2art and GLA among others. I personally use CO2art on all of my farming setups and have had a great experience with them. Both companies also have a lengthy warranty. CO2art customer service was amazing when I had a minor regulator issue.

TLDR: Look on FB or craigslist for good deals. Do yourself a favor early on and purchase a high quality regulator with a good warranty.

 

co2 is relatively cheap after the equipment purchasing. All I do for co2 these days is $20 to refill the tank once a year. I was patient and just saved up until I had saved enough to purchase pretty good quality stuff that I need and would last a long time.

If you buy cheap, it's going to feel cheap to start, and then down the road, it's going to really feel cheap... when you have to replace everything because it's all broken/not working

 

Passive CO2 is the equivalent of giving just a small boost to a lowtech aquarium that has low levels of lighting and easy plants.

Concur, and I indicated as much above.

Not nearly as effective as running a full blown CO2 injection system, but very definitely gives plants a boost compared to running nothing.

Having run this system for a few months now, I think a passive system is a good option when economics are an issue, and there are no plants that require a high tech setup. As a bonus, there's literally zero (0%) chance of ever dumping CO2 into the tank and killing fish. I don't have the economic reason stopping me from running a full injection system, I just didn't want the hassle of adding a whole other system to maintain, and the plants I'm growing don't need it, either in my bigger planted tanks (40B & 55). I also don't have to mess with putting timers on my air pumps or co2 systems this way. I just pop the co2 tank on twice a day to fill the bell, and carry on. The next tank I'll be setting up will have an aquasoil and full system set up on it (15G UNS cube), where I can try some harder to grow plants, but in my very humble opinion, I think for a lot of folks, a passive system would work great for them.

 

wateriswet Passive CO2 does "work" but it is no where near hightech levels of CO2. You will almost never reach 30-40ppm CO2 in the water with passive CO2. Some people have estimated that passive CO2 will only provide a few extra ppms of CO2, however I haven't measured it out for myself. Passive CO2 is the equivalent of giving just a small boost to a lowtech aquarium that has low levels of lighting and easy plants. I have used passive CO2 in the past, but the results do not compare to using an actual pressurized system, or even a DIY system.

AcornTheBetta If you are looking for a long term reliable CO2 setup, then it is wise to invest in high quality equipment, even if it may take you a bit more time to acquire. Realistically, the only "high quality" equipment that is truly required is a high quality regulator. The regulator is by far the most important thing to spend your money wisely on.

When I was first starting out with CO2, I went for a lot of low quality equipment and ended up spending more in the long run once my regulators started failing. In the beginning, I exclusively used the single stage Fzone regulators, but they proved to be unreliable over time, especially on larger setups. I had many issues with the bubble count stability and solenoid failure. A regulator failing not only warrants a replacement expense, but often causes plant stock to stunt or melt as a result of the CO2 instability. I currently use an Fzone regulator on my nano tank, but that is because it is only a display tank. A regulator failure on that tank would not be detrimental to the plants I grow for profit.

High quality does not have to mean expensive... There are plenty of people who are always getting out of the hobby and either giving away their system for free, or at very low prices. Craigslist or FB marketplace is a great place to find regulators and CO2 tanks, which are often the most expensive components of your system. A 10lb or 20lb CO2 cylinder is a great choice for size, especially since it will last a while on most setups. They are also commonly available online and most gas stores will readily fill these sizes or swap them.

Great regulator brands include CO2art and GLA among others. I personally use CO2art on all of my farming setups and have had a great experience with them. Both companies also have a lengthy warranty. CO2art customer service was amazing when I had a minor regulator issue.

TLDR: Look on FB or craigslist for good deals. Do yourself a favor early on and purchase a high quality regulator with a good warranty.

Can you recommend a high quality regulator?