DIY co2 issue

HI all,

I bought a DIY Co2 system yesterday from my fish shop. It uses a mixture of sugar, yeast and bicarb, in a plastic bottle with tube attached to an air stone. It's a very simple system, but it appears to be working as I have bubbles today! Yay

I have an inside box filter, so I have placed the airstone inside the filter in the middle box (that contains the bio balls and media).

Is this OK? Will it get to my plants?

PS: are their any issues that I should be aware of while using this system?

Thanks

 

good question. I wouldnt see why not.

See experts for advice BELOW.
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So you bought a DIY CO2 system from a LFS? How much did you pay for it? Any pictures? Just to see what you are working with.

You may need a check valve (1.00 a piece) so that water doesn't run back in to the bottle. If your using your filter as a diffuser it should be fine. But just remember to keep ur surface tension to a minimum to keep the CO2 in the tank. The more water agitation there is, the more CO2 will escape your tank.

What is this bicarb thing?

Only thing you really need is Sugar, distilled water, and yeast. Only other optional thing you can add is baking soda. That's used to increase the water hardness so your pH doesn't fluctuate too much. If your water GH is already fine than you won't need baking soda.

 

Hsunami, it is very simple and it was VERY cheap. I have attached a picture - you can even see the price label on the plastic bottle (15 Bhat!) LOL

All up I bought the bottle, a valve, the tube, an airstone and a bag of sugar/yeast and bicarb... with instructions to 'shake shake shake' ... for about the equivalent of 3 bucks (U.S.)



bicarb = bicarbonate of soda.

It could well be baking soda... I'm not sure which, so and you could be right... it came with the 'kit' and language can sometimes be 'difficult' here... so I assumed it was bicarbonate.

The set up in the shop had an additional bottle, which I've since googled, that gathers the gunk and stuff... preventing it from entering the tank, which I might consider installing in the next couple of days.

And I also need to find some way of getting that tube out of the way... which is why initially I had it inside my filter.

How do you mean, if your using your filter as a diffuser...?

Thanks.

 

I believe that blue thing on ur tubing is ur check valve. The air valve does not gather gunk it prevents the tube from sucking in water/particles. It only allows follow one ways.

The diffuser is suppose to be a little device that helps break up the CO2 bubbles into smaller particles so that it can be easily absorbed into the water. But since you put air stone inside your filter the filter is going to help break the CO2 bubbles into smaller particles so it can get absorbed into the water easier.

FYI- If that tubing is regular tubing than you are going to need to replace that every 6months to 1 year. As the CO2 will eat away at the tubing slowly.

2nd thing I suggest is go buy some aquarium silicon and seal the top of that bottle cap, because CO2 is going to leak out even with the slightest hole and you won't get the full amount of CO2.

What amount of mixture did you put in there? or is it all a packet? if its a packet I suggest you just buy the ingredients urself and add it in.

Heres the formula

For two-liter bottles:

* 2 cups water
* 2 cups Sucrose (cane sugar)
* ¼ teaspoon Fleischmann's Active Dry Yeast
* ¼ cup tepid (ideally 104ºF) water

The yeast should rehydrated first in the tepid water. The aseptic method mentioned previously should be used.

 

Thanks for that Hsunami, it's good to know that I have a check valve stopping the gunk from entering the tank. And thanks for the info about the tube, I didn't realise that it eroded it! Good to know. Also, good advice about the silicone sealant. I will get onto it in the next couple of days.

One question...

Does co2 help to stop diatoms? I have a lot of brown 'dust' on my Anubis plants, that I can't seem to get rid of ... If I tap the leaves or gently rub them, it kind of floats off... but it soon comes back and covers the top of the leaf again. I *think* it sounds like diatoms...

Can co2 help with this?

 

Sounds like the diatoms to me. Another DIY receipe involves using geletin which I will be trying myself as it is supposed to last longer. There are various DIY CO2 receipes out there to try. All involve water, sugar, and yeast.

 

check this out dude !!!

 

and I just checked your picture of the bottle.... u got riped off... could of had 2l of pop and then used that bottle after words.... hope you dident pay much for it

 

I got ripped off for only paying 15 Bhat for a plastic bottle that already had a hole cut out properly in the lid and a tube fitted, attached with a check valve!!! Wow, you must be a massive tightarse, Martin 75g! But then again, you probably don't know how much 15 Bhat is worth, right?

 

Does co2 help to stop diatoms? I have a lot of brown 'dust' on my Anubis plants, that I can't seem to get rid of ... If I tap the leaves or gently rub them, it kind of floats off... but it soon comes back and covers the top of the leaf again. I *think* it sounds like diatoms...

Can co2 help with this?

No the diatoms are just a natural thing that happens when setting up a new tank. Everyone gets them, they will eventually go away. You can take one of those magnet scrubbers and wipe it off. But it will eventually go away.

 

So I ended up going through the DIY CO2 route. Beginning to regret it but I just don't have the moola to spend it on a pressurized system yet.

So I bought the diy kit off of Amazon. The one that hooks on to two bottles for Citric Acid and Baking Soda.

I set it up yesterday but made a mistake. Didn't dissolve the citric acid and the gauge thing to dilate the bubble counts would not stay consistent. Not to mention that all of Bottle A (Citric Acid) ended up going into bottle B within a couple hours.

So I dumped that batch and re did it this morning. Dissolved the citric acid and baking soda. Shook well and put the gauge and stuff back on. I dialed the knob till it was about a bubble per 4-5 seconds. Perfect. Soon after it would stop. No more bubbles showing on the counter and no more Co2.
Also bottle A has mixed more than half the liquid already in bottle B.

At this point I just want to return the whole kit and not do Co2 anymore.
Could it be cause I don't have a check valve? I don't get it. What am I doing wrong here?

 

I don't think you're necessarily doing anything wrong. I don't think DIY CO2 is worth it. It is really tough to get to work right, and, even if you do, it's a ton of work. I think pressurized CO2 or no added CO2 are the best options. If I were you, I'd ditch the problematic DIY CO2 kit and go with a low tech tank.

 

I don't think you're necessarily doing anything wrong. I don't think DIY CO2 is worth it. It is really tough to get to work right, and, even if you do, it's a ton of work. I think pressurized CO2 or no added CO2 are the best options. If I were you, I'd ditch the problematic DIY CO2 kit and go with a low tech tank.

Thanks! Im going to give it one more shot but the sugar and yeast route instead. If that doesnt work than Ill just save up for a pressurized or just stay lowtech.

 

Thanks! Im going to give it one more shot but the sugar and yeast route instead. If that doesnt work than Ill just save up for a pressurized or just stay lowtech.

I have had very good luck with the Aquario Neo Co2 kit myself! It takes a lot of guesswork out of how much of this or that you need. If you would like me to give you more details on this feel free to reach out. I notice that you say your co2 kit uses 2 bottles, right? This is very different from Neo co2 kits I use which I purchased from Glass Aqua.

 

I have made the sugar and yeast method work before. For me, the secret was in using a large number of 2 liter bottles all hooked together. This way, I could create a somewhat steady amount of CO2 as all the bottles were mixed and would expire at different times. It is messy and laborious, but it works. Personally, I'll never go back to doing that. But, I wish you good luck.

 

I have had very good luck with the Aquario Neo Co2 kit myself! It takes a lot of guesswork out of how much of this or that you need. If you would like me to give you more details on this feel free to reach out. I notice that you say your co2 kit uses 2 bottles, right? This is very different from Neo co2 kits I use which I purchased from Glass Aqua.

You see I thought of doing that which is why I actually asked you all those questions before hand but I saw how much the refills are and I thought the DIY would be cheaper in the long run. But now it just seems harder for me in the long run. I may just save up for a paintball co2 or just no co2 at all at this point.

Im trying the yeast and sugar co2 thing right now and so far its in the stage where the bubbles are forming in the bottle. I will see how that goes, if that doesnt work out then I guess that will be it for my DIY Co2.

I have made the sugar and yeast method work before. For me, the secret was in using a large number of 2 liter bottles all hooked together. This way, I could create a somewhat steady amount of CO2 as all the bottles were mixed and would expire at different times. It is messy and laborious, but it works. Personally, I'll never go back to doing that. But, I wish you good luck.

Do you mind sharing how you did it?

 

You see I thought of doing that which is why I actually asked you all those questions before hand but I saw how much the refills are and I thought the DIY would be cheaper in the long run. But now it just seems harder for me in the long run. I may just save up for a paintball co2 or just no co2 at all at this point.

Im trying the yeast and sugar co2 thing right now and so far its in the stage where the bubbles are forming in the bottle. I will see how that goes, if that doesnt work out then I guess that will be it for my DIY Co2.

Do you mind sharing how you did it?

Where did you try purchasing the diy neo co2 kit by any chance? I got mine for 30 dollars and the refills are only 10 dollars, not expensive IMO at all.

 

I once had a sugar and yeast reactor built into a 10L container.. it was pressurized with an airpump, had an overflow bottle, and produced very steady CO2. I tweaked the formula until it was just right and purchased special yeast that would ferment at a steady rate and everything.

I have to agree, even after going through all of that I continued to have issues with it. Its definitely not worth it imo.

I would, however, look into the system that JL suggested. Tropica also makes a Co2 system where you pump the gas into a submerged chamber yourself and it slowly diffuses throughout the day. I have considered trying the Tropica one myself, might give it a shot. The Co2 comes in disposable cans and no yeast or citric acid required.

It seems pricey at first but when I did the math it wasnt too bad. I can order 3 cans plus the system for 50 CAD and have it last for a few months. Its only worth it for tanks 20g or less though

 

Where did you try purchasing the diy neo co2 kit by any chance? I got mine for 30 dollars and the refills are only 10 dollars, not expensive IMO at all.

Amazon has the kit for I think 38. And the refills are 25 on there. Buce has almost $10 shipping so it adds up there too. If I need a refill every month it will be $20 each month for the NEO

 

Amazon has the kit for I think 38. And the refills are 25 on there. Buce has almost $10 shipping so it adds up there too. If I need a refil every month it will be $20 each month for the NEO

marmaaa , Glass Aqua has a much better deal, I get all my co2 kits from there and I certainly do not pay 20 dollars a month, I wouldn't be using it if it did.

Here is a link to a bundle with the kit itself and a refill kit included.
Aquario Neo CO2 Bundle for Planted Aquarium Tank

Here is a link to their refill kit, much cheaper than Amazon. I just bought four of these to stock up on.
Aquario NEO CO2 Kit Refill for Planted Aquarium Tank

 

marmaaa , Glass Aqua has a much better deal, I get all my co2 kits from there and I certainly do not pay 20 dollars a month, I wouldn't be using it if it did.

Here is a link to a bundle with the kit itself and a refill kit included.
Aquario Neo CO2 Bundle for Planted Aquarium Tank

Here is a link to their refill kit, much cheaper than Amazon. I just bought four of these to stock up on.
Aquario NEO CO2 Kit Refill for Planted Aquarium Tank

Shipping there is also $9 there so refills would be $20 for me too. They do have a bundle rn for the kit with the diffuser and one bag of refill which would be $40 including shipping but after that I would still be putting in that $20 a month. I guess cause we live in different states shipping is different? I really wish stores around me would sell this stuff.

 

Shipping there is also $9 there so refills would be $20 for me too. They do have a bundle rn for the kit with the diffuser and one bag of refill which would be $40 including shipping but after that I would still be putting in that $20 a month. I guess cause we live in different states shipping is different? I really wish stores around me would sell this stuff.

Hmm, I am able to have my kit last about 2 months on average (calculated 62 days on my last kit before the jelly ran out). The prices with shipping are very similar since Glass Aqua is a Californian company. It is totally okay if you want to stay out of using diy co2 though, don't feel like you have to by any means.

 

Hmm, I am able to have my kit last about 2 months on average (calculated 62 days on my last kit before the jelly ran out). The prices with shipping are very similar since Glass Aqua is a Californian company. It is totally okay if you want to stay out of using diy co2 though, don't feel like you have to by any means.

Oh wow 62 days? How big is your tank?

 

Oh wow 62 days? How big is your tank?

Tank size does not have any impact on how long the co2 depletes with the kit, just an fyi. It affects the concentration of co2 in the tank at any given moment if that makes any sense, more volume means the co2 is diluted more but it is pumped out and depleted at the same rate regardless.

I don't remember if I showed you or not, but I used the diy neo co2 on this ten gallon tank right here (first image is when I began injecting co2 and second was after the first kit ran out with plenty of trimming in between).






These results I have seen with my tank shows that the Neo Co2 kit is worth the money IMO and this was from just one of the refill packets too!

 

Tank size does not have any impact on how long the co2 depletes with the kit, just an fyi. It affects the concentration of co2 in the tank at any given moment if that makes any sense, more volume means the co2 is diluted more but it is pumped out and depleted at the same rate regardless.

I don't remember if I showed you or not, but I used the diy neo co2 on this ten gallon tank right here (first image is when I began injecting co2 and second was after the first kit ran out with plenty of trimming in between).

View attachment 800406
View attachment 800407

These results I have seen with my tank shows that the Neo Co2 kit is worth the money IMO and this was from just one of the refill packets too!

Ohh okay so a lesser concentration got it. You know if all things fail I may just have to do this then. Your tank looks amazing by the way!

 

Ohh okay so a lesser concentration got it. You know if all things fail I may just have to do this then. Your tank looks amazing by the way!

If you decide to go with Neo Co2, I am here to answer any questions you may have, friend. It is super easy to setup as well and takes most of the guesswork out of normal conventional diy co2 kits but is not super expensive like a pressurized setup. I actually bought another one for the 29 gallon from the success of this tank and I don't usually throw my money out for nothing.

 

If you decide to go with Neo Co2, I am here to answer any questions you may have, friend. It is super easy to setup as well and takes most of the guesswork out of normal conventional diy co2 kits but is not super expensive like a pressurized setup. I actually bought another one for the 29 gallon from the success of this tank and I don't usually throw my money out for nothing.

Thank you! If I do go that route I will take you up on that offer=)

 

If you decide to go with Neo Co2, I am here to answer any questions you may have, friend. It is super easy to setup as well and takes most of the guesswork out of normal conventional diy co2 kits but is not super expensive like a pressurized setup. I actually bought another one for the 29 gallon from the success of this tank and I don't usually throw my money out for nothing.

I actually have a question lol. I just looked it up and it seems they use some kind of powder to generate Co2. Any idea what it is? Sounds interesting

 

Do you mind sharing how you did it?

I think the option LJAquatics is offering sounds better than any info I could give. And, it's been years since I had my DIY CO2 system running. I can tell you roughly, though, that I had a few 2 liter soda bottles, and I would change one out every couple of days or so. The 2 liter bottles all had holes in the caps where I had attached airline tubing, and the tubing was connected with those little T connecters. The tubing was then connected to an in-tank reactor that isn't on the market any more. Like I said though, in my opinion, this wasn't really worth the effort.

 

I think the option LJAquatics is offering sounds better than any info I could give. And, it's been years since I had my DIY CO2 system running. I can tell you roughly, though, that I had a few 2 liter soda bottles, and I would change one out every couple of days or so. The 2 liter bottles all had holes in the caps where I had attached airline tubing, and the tubing was connected with those little T connecters. The tubing was then connected to an in-tank reactor that isn't on the market any more. Like I said though, in my opinion, this wasn't really worth the effort.

Thanks! I may have to go with JL's if it doesn't work out

 

hey i have a problem with my diy co2 as well i made the same as the youtuber king of diy. but the problem with mine is that i keep loosing co2 so quick i hardly use any and even loose co2 when i shut it off. and i found the problem the cap cracked open due to pressure it made. so i replaced it and it happened again. can someone help me. if i use metal caps then the bottle would explode instead of the caps cracking.

 

hey i have a problem with my diy co2 as well i made the same as the youtuber king of diy. but the problem with mine is that i keep loosing co2 so quick i hardly use any and even loose co2 when i shut it off. and i found the problem the cap cracked open due to pressure it made. so i replaced it and it happened again. can someone help me. if i use metal caps then the bottle would explode instead of the caps cracking.

hey sorry I cant be much of help here. I ended up giving up soon after because I couldnt fix the problems it was just not worth it in the end. Sorry I couldn’t be much of help