Clarifying Co2 For Planted Aquariums

I have planted aquariums and would like to add CO2 for better growth. Upon Googling the ways to accomplish this I discovered so many ways and all were super confusing to me as a newbie!

What are your preferred methods for adding CO2 to a 20 gallon tank?

Does an air stone help with any CO2?

Can I just use a CO2 diffuser and attach it to the air stone setup (without the air stone)?

DIY methods seem super confusing to me right now so I'm not sure I'm ready for that kind of endeavor.

 

Hello
You can use something like this, it comes with everything you need once you get use to it and see how co2 works you can upgrade for something advance but for 20.gal tank this should work well..

 

I use a paintball co2 cylinder and a co2 reactor. DIY is not a bad way to start. It will work well on tanks 30 gallon and smaller. The initial cost of a regulator, cylinder, bubble counter, difuser,and cow hose can be quite high.

A DIY system only requires 3×2 litter bottles, yeast and sugar. You will need either a diffuser or reactor either way.

How much money are you looking to spend?

An airstone will not do much when used as a diffuser.

 

I use a paintball co2 cylinder and a co2 reactor. DIY is not a bad way to start. It will work well on tanks 30 gallon and smaller. The initial cost of a regulator, cylinder, bubble counter, difuser,and cow hose can be quite high.

A DIY system only requires 3×2 litter bottles, yeast and sugar. You will need either a diffuser or reactor either way.

How much money are you looking to spend?

An airstone will not do much when used as a diffuser.

I would prefer not to spend an arm and a leg, but using "cheaper" options often cost more in the long run too.

 

I would prefer not to spend an arm and a leg, but using "cheaper" options often cost more in the long run too.

I've been running a cheap DIY system on the 10 for over a year now.

You are right you don't want to skimp on a regulator. That's probably the most important thing.

My cheap setup. It needed a trim at this point. Lol

 

I think DIY with citric acid and baking soda using an eBay kit such as this:


Will give most control as a beginner, and you can gain some experience without having to buy a pressurized system right away. I've also done the yeast method with this kit with some modifications, but CO2 from yeast fluctuates a lot more than citric acid, because yeast productivity depends on temperature, while citric acid is more stable.

 

I used an Aquatek minI regulator. It screws directly on a 24oz paintball tank I purchased. I also purchased aquatek co2 tubing and aquatek 3 in one diffuser which has a bubble counter built in. I plugged it in my timer on lights and that’s all.
I purchased a NilocG dropchecker that came with the 4dkh solution. I adjusted the co2 a little at a time til the drop checker turned green. I run a Aquaclear 50 and a sponge filter.
My green cabomba grows probably a 1/2”-1” a night, jungle Val has taken off.
I have it set up on a 20 long. You should be able to get the same setup for little less than $150, check prices on amazon and eBay for the regulator. I got the dropchecker and tubing on amazon, I purchased the tank at academy sports, they fill it if you buy it from them but their co2 was down so I filled it at dicks sporting goods for $5 and they gave me a box where they keep up with number of times you fill it. I believe it’s pay 4 times and get 5th fill up free.

 

I used an Aquatek minI regulator. It screws directly on a 24oz paintball tank I purchased. I also purchased aquatek co2 tubing and aquatek 3 in one diffuser which has a bubble counter built in. I plugged it in my timer on lights and that’s all.
I purchased a NilocG dropchecker that came with the 4dkh solution. I adjusted the co2 a little at a time til the drop checker turned green. I run a Aquaclear 50 and a sponge filter.
My green cabomba grows probably a 1/2”-1” a night, jungle Val has taken off.
I have it set up on a 20 long. You should be able to get the same setup for little less than $150, check prices on amazon and eBay for the regulator. I got the dropchecker and tubing on amazon, I purchased the tank at academy sports, they fill it if you buy it from them but their co2 was down so I filled it at dicks sporting goods for $5 and they gave me a box where they keep up with number of times you fill it. I believe it’s pay 4 times and get 5th fill up free.

This is the same system I have. It works good, but the cylinder doesn't last too long on my gigantic tank. It would be great for a smaller tank.

 

I have planted aquariums and would like to add CO2 for better growth. Upon Googling the ways to accomplish this I discovered so many ways and all were super confusing to me as a newbie!

What are your preferred methods for adding CO2 to a 20 gallon tank?

Does an air stone help with any CO2?

Can I just use a CO2 diffuser and attach it to the air stone setup (without the air stone)?

DIY methods seem super confusing to me right now so I'm not sure I'm ready for that kind of endeavor.

I have a video on my YouTube for my DIY setup. It's not confusing at all, quite easy actually. It just takes a little more attention but it's not as scary as it seems.

 

Here's a chart to let you know how your CO2 levels are based on KH and PH. it's not 100% accurate but it does give you a good idea of where you stand.

 

Similar here but I use a fire extinguisher rather than paintball and a regulator from CO2Art . I have a neat in-tank reactor - a JBL Taifun - I can't use an inline reactor and this is really simple to hide behind the plants and has no moving parts. The key points I came across are as follows:
1. A CO2 cylinder is a CO2 cylinder whether paintball, soft drink, CO2 extinguisher or an industrial cylinder - get the cheapest based on gas weight! Make sure it's supported - see Dave's post - they can be dangerous if they fall over.
2. Invest in a decent regulator - I started with a cheap Chinese one which lasted six months. A decent one will start at near 100 quid but is worth it in the long run - make sure it has a solenoid valve attached that you can plug into a timer.
3. DON'T use standard air line piping which is made of PVC and will perish when exposed to CO2 making it brittle and liable to split - get CO2 rated polyeurethane tubing.
4. Same for any non-return valve - make sure it's CO2 rated
5. There is no point running your CO2 at the same time as an air stone - CO2 is generally the opposite of O2 in that water disturbance will cause 02 to dissolve in the water but will cause CO2 to leach out.
6. You need either a reactor or a diffuser that produces TINY bubbles or the CO2 won't dissolve fast enough.