CO2 Systems for Heavily Planted Tank

Hey all,

So I am planning on having my tank heavily planted. I am also going to try and carpet with dwarf hair grass. I have a few questions about CO2 systems.

If I'm using a CO2 system do I need to increase the amount of oxygen I'm putting into the water, decrease it, or leave it be.

How long should I leave the system running per day?

I was reading about a DIY CO2 system in the DIY section. Is there anyway to tell how much CO2 I'll need In the tank? Away to monitor it? Also does anyone have any good recipes for the yeast, water, and sugar combination?

I know I have more questions.... I'll add them as I remember. Thank you in advanced guys!!!

PlecoPride

 

Bubbles will gas out the CO2. The plants should take care of the oxygen for the fish. It is helpful to use bubblers during lights out but not while the lights are on and the CO2 is running.

You can run the CO2 as long as the lights are on. But that depends on the amount of light and your plants.

I heard that brewers yeast is the best. Brown sugar seems to be better than white. Warm tap water will activate the yeast but not hot.

My recipe is 2 cups brown sugar and 1/4 cup corn starch to 1 liter tap water. Boil it while continuously stirring until it thickens. Let it cool until just slightly warm. Next, vigorously stir 1/2 tsp. yeast to 1/2 liter warm tap water and wait 10 minutes. Combine the brown sugar syrup to the yeast solution in a 2 liter bottle and shake vigorously. This recipe lasts me 2 weeks or more.

 

Yeah I have read brewers is better but cost more as well. As long as it does the job, that is all that matters really. Just make sure with yeast, it can expire which renders it ineffective or inactive so the further away the expiry date is, the better.

You can use a drop checker with 4 DKH solution and bromothymol blue (don't use tank water) for mixture to check for co2 in the water column. IMO I don't think a drop checker is necessary. 2-3 bubbles per second and a good diffuser is a good point of reference as long as your fish are not gulping for air at the surface.

 

Yeah, a CO2 indicator can approximate 30ppm CO2 when green to light green (blue is too little and yellow is too much CO2). Check out my blog how to DIY the solution so you don't have to buy more liquid. You'll need to make or buy a bubble counter to measure the bubble rate. My tank has a sump that wastes a lot of CO2 because of the overflow so I need a really fast rate (3 to 5 bubbles per second) to compensate and I need the CO2 indicator to make sure that I don't have too much.

 

Yeah, a CO2 indicator can approximate 30ppm CO2 when green to light green (blue is too little and yellow is too much CO2). Check out my blog how to DIY the solution so you don't have to buy more liquid. You'll need to make or buy a bubble counter to measure the bubble rate. My tank has a sump that wastes a lot of CO2 because of the overflow so I need a really fast rate (3 to 5 bubbles per second) to compensate and I need the CO2 indicator to make sure that I don't have too much.

Dude man you come up with some cool stuff!

 

hahaha. Thanks! My philosophy in life is that everyone should have many hobbies and keep pets.

 

I use the PH/KH method to determine the amount of CO2. So test your PH then test your KH and use this chart.

If you are going to use DIY CO2, then I would recommend using O2 at night, if you use a cylinder with regulator and solenoid, it would not be needed as it can be shut off especially if you use a timer.

 

Okay guys thanks for all the help! I'm going to research a bit more and I'll let you know how everything is going.

Thanks again!

PlecoPride

 

Bubbles will gas out the CO2. The plants should take care of the oxygen for the fish. It is helpful to use bubblers during lights out but not while the lights are on and the CO2 is running.

I felt like a complete newbie when I read this... Is it always best to run the bubbler (no CO2) when the lights are off? I have mine on the same timer as the light, and have never come across this before.

 

I felt like a complete newbie when I read this... Is it always best to run the bubbler (no CO2) when the lights are off? I have mine on the same timer as the light, and have never come across this before.

The bubblers will waste the CO2 you're injecting. My CO2 indicator gets darker after about an hour or so if I turn the air pump on. A CO2 indicator is very slow to react but is a good tool. It is slow because it relies on a slow process of gas exchange within the air pocket inside the indicator. The presence of CO2 in the air pocket affects the pH of the indicator solution and changes color accordingly.

 

Huh, good to know... Thanks!

 

I am working on setting up a 72 gallon freshwater tank with live plants. From what I have researched, a CO2 system would be extremely beneficial to my plants health. Please advise to what systems work well and price range.

 

I'm going with what I consider to be a step up from a DIY yeast/sugar system, but not as expensive as a pressurized CO2 system. It uses citric acid and baking soda to generate the CO2 and based on how much CO2 you want to inject, I'm reading that it will go for between 1 and 8 weeks without a refill.

There's a great article explaining it with links here

I pieced things out and can buy everything I need including chemicals for almost exactly $100. If you want my spreadsheet with links to all the components I'm buying, I can get it to you.

 

I'm going with what I consider to be a step up from a DIY yeast/sugar system, but not as expensive as a pressurized CO2 system. It uses citric acid and baking soda to generate the CO2 and based on how much CO2 you want to inject, I'm reading that it will go for between 1 and 8 weeks without a refill.

There's a great article explaining it with links here

I pieced things out and can buy everything I need including chemicals for almost exactly $100. If you want my spreadsheet with links to all the components I'm buying, I can get it to you.

I would love to see what information you have collected. I want to do this as inexpensively as possible. When you say inject...do you have a tool that you use to incorporate it into the aquarium?

 

$100? I got mine for $40 and collected the bottles from my friends that drink soda.


EDIT: I didn't include baking soda because I always have that at home. But if you don't or want a special CO2-only baking soda box, that would be probably $15 or so more.

 

$100? I got mine for $40 and collected the bottles from my friends that drink soda.

EDIT: I didn't include baking soda because I always have that at home. But if you don't or want a special CO2-only baking soda box, that would be probably $15 or so more.

Do you have a picture of what this set up looks like?

 

I only have one bottle as of yet so mine isn't set up, but the King of DIY guy did a video using the same kit I got (different diffuser.)

 

So I have looked into they DIY method of a CO2 system and think I need to go with a system already made that comes with a CO2 tank. Any suggestions that won't break the bank?

 

That's a place to start. CO2 bottles can be found cheaper. But I would not get smaller than 10 pounds. This can all be found cheaper or more expensive.

 

That's a place to start. CO2 bottles can be found cheaper. But I would not get smaller than 10 pounds. This can all be found cheaper or more expensive.

So this should be all I need to support my 72 gallon tank? I am trying to do this system without have to change it out constantly. Thank you for your help.

 

So this should be all I need to support my 72 gallon tank? I am trying to do this system without have to change it out constantly. Thank you for your help.

That's all the parts you need. But you don't need those specifically. You need a regulator, CO2 tubing, a way to diffuse the CO2, the CO2 bottle, and a way to measure the amount of CO2 in the water. What I linked gave you all of that.

If you could spend more, then I would look here,

If what I linked gave you sticker shock, look for used equipment. Local fish clubs and craigslist will sometimes get you what you need cheaper. But if there is nothing local, then look at fish clubs outside your area. Shipping CO2 equipment is easy.

I started out with some cheaper stuff and eventually upgraded to GLA. I still have my less expensive equipment and use it. But the higher priced stuff is definitely more accurate and just better. And to be honest, its not that much more. The extra $150 or so you may spend is worth it in my opinion. But you could also spend a lot more than that. The sky is the limit.

 

Has anyone ever used CO2 tablets before? Would this be as effective as the CO2 system?

 

So I have my system I have watched the video and my guage doesn't move when I prime my bottles. Then it will work sporadically and then stop someone please help me fix this problem...!

 

That either means you got a bad guage or you aren't squeezing hard enough. I always have to kneel on the citric acid bottle because the first squeeze is never enough to prime it and it gets too hard to squeeze with my hands. There should be enough pressure that it's practically impossible to squeeze, if your guage still shows 0 I would get a refund/new kit.

 

Okay, so I try to do my part and look up: CO2 systems...and I don't understand what these people are talking about...yet. Now, no doubt, my question has been asked a gazillion times. So, thank you to the patient mentors who share their knowledge.

Do I have this right? I can either set up 2X2L bottles with chemicals that I have to change once a month, or get a system with a CO2 tank that lasts a year?

Before I get into that, I ask myself do I need it? I want to grow plants, really like the aquascapingthing. My fish are easy, hardy, white clowd minnows, plecos and snails in a 10Gal tank. I will soil up before I do any fancy CO2 systems or Oxygen diffusing stones. Should I actually get a heater before anything?

Thank you

 

Okay, so I try to do my part and look up: CO2 systems...and I don't understand what these people are talking about...yet. Now, no doubt, my question has been asked a gazillion times. So, thank you to the patient mentors who share their knowledge.

Do I have this right? I can either set up 2X2L bottles with chemicals that I have to change once a month, or get a system with a CO2 tank that lasts a year?

Before I get into that, I ask myself do I need it? I want to grow plants, really like the aquascapingthing. My fish are easy, hardy, white clowd minnows, plecos and snails in a 10Gal tank. I will soil up before I do any fancy CO2 systems or Oxygen diffusing stones. Should I actually get a heater before anything?

Thank you

Welcome!
First do you know about Nitrogen Cycle?
2nd it wasn't clear to me but do you have the tank setup already or all of this is just a plan?
3rd about the CO2, it's good to have it will help the plants drastically, but depends on what plants you have and other equipment you'll have on the tank.

 

thanks for responding I guess I get lost in the fog of undetailed information. My real question is: if I opt for the CO2 tank*, where do I get it filled up?
*meaning the pressurized reservoir of CO2 and not the fish tank

cheers

 

thanks for responding I guess I get lost in the fog of undetailed information. My real question is: if I opt for the CO2 tank*, where do I get it filled up?
*meaning the pressurized reservoir of CO2 and not the fish tank

cheers

Welding supply stores are usually able to refill or stores, who sell home brewery stuff.
I would definitely encourage you to read up on this topic and how CO2 interacts with other stuff in your tank. It's very easy to wipe out the fauna with CO2 if done incorrectly.

 

Any place that has beer supplies will either be able to fill it or tell you where to fill it.

 

thank you

 

How long it will last depends on size of the tank and bubbles-per-second (bps) you need for level of CO2. At the moment, I'm using those little 24oz paintball CO2 tanks that I bought at Sports Authority and they refill for $4. They are lasting me around 4 weeks right now at 3-4bps in a 54g tank. I'm also using a 'reactor' inline with my canister filter, so I'm getting nearly 100% absorbtion into my water with no little co2 bubbles getting wasted like with diffusers. I'm looking at 5g, 10 gallon and 20 gallon options now so I don't need to refill as often. Many places can do 10 gallon or 20 gallon swaps for anywhere from $15-$40/tank depending on size, etc. Home Depot does 20 gallon swaps for $30. Fire extingisher service locations can do refills, but around me they are more expensive. I think a 20 gallon will barely fit in my tank stand, so I'm looking at 10 gallon and refill options.

 

what plants do you have right now?
CO2 system is not cheap so we would like to make sure that if you decide on getting it, you'll benefit instead of having more issues.
Also good lighting should also be considered if our planning to do the CO2 route

 

Is it worth even considering this for a ten gallon tank...all things considered...or am I trying to ride a tricycle on the highway?

 

How long it will last depends on size of the tank and bubbles-per-second (bps) you need for level of CO2. At the moment, I'm using those little 24oz paintball CO2 tanks that I bought at Sports Authority and they refill for $4. They are lasting me around 4 weeks right now at 3-4bps in a 54g tank. I'm also using a 'reactor' inline with my canister filter, so I'm getting nearly 100% absorbtion into my water with no little co2 bubbles getting wasted like with diffusers. I'm looking at 5g, 10 gallon and 20 gallon options now so I don't need to refill as often. Many places can do 10 gallon or 20 gallon swaps for anywhere from $15-$40/tank depending on size, etc. Home Depot does 20 gallon swaps for $30. Fire extingisher service locations can do refills, but around me they are more expensive. I think a 20 gallon will barely fit in my tank stand, so I'm looking at 10 gallon and refill options.

hey what c02 reactor do you use, not to hijack the thread just curious

 

because right now my plants are pretty prolific with just the LED and some morning light, wouldnt want to rock the boat like you say,

 

Is it worth even considering this for a ten gallon tank...all things considered...or am I trying to ride a tricycle on the highway?

all depends on you goal, and plants you're trying to grow.

because right now my plants are pretty prolific with just the LED and some morning light, wouldnt want to rock the boat like you say,

what plants do you have?

 

***puts on the newbiot cap*** I don't know ... I grabbed a handful of the cheapest bushiest one, its like water chickory...not pretty but efficient.

I got a few more delicate ones from someone, like minI lilipads on a long stem (maybe 4'') and some wild crazy barbed wire like stuff.

P1070255

• Aquarista
• Apr 18, 2018

P1070253

• Aquarista
• Apr 18, 2018

P1070254

• Aquarista
• Apr 18, 2018

 

I'm new to plants too but I'll try my best, others might jump in to correct me.
1st pic looks like water wisteria
2nd pic I'm not sure
3rd pic looks like guppy grass.

both 1st and 3rd doesn't really need co2 injection. I mean all plants will benefit from CO2 but if it's not balance properly (i.e. too muc or not sufficient light) it can make the tank imbalance and cuase algae problems.

 

excellent ty

 

excellent ty

np and goodluck, keep us posted!