DIY CO2

What kind of diffuser are you using? Have you tried to squeeze the yeast/sugar bottle and see if any bubbles are coming out? Did you "cure" the silicon as directed?

None right now. Its not in the tank, I have it going from the yeast mixture to another bottle to act as a bubble counter and there's nothing even coming out there. Reading the silicon it says cures in 5 minutes fully bonds in 24 hours, I let it sit for 3-4 hours. Would I need to wait the full 24 before it makes an air tight seal?

 

Try a different yeast, maybe it is dead. Add a drop of Prime as well. Clean the old silicon and re-apply it on both sides of the cap, wait for 24 hours to fully cure.

 

take care for warmth. When to cool it won't work.

 

I’d try different yeast as well, even in baking I’d sometimes get a dead pack. Probably from getting wet.

 

I went to the store today and picked up some new yeast and everything is working fine now. Thank you for the advice everyone!

Now to just figure out how many bubbles per minute I should have for my 10 gallon....

 

I went to the store today and picked up some new yeast and everything is working fine now. Thank you for the advice everyone!

Now to just figure out how many bubbles per minute I should have for my 10 gallon....

I do 3 bubbles per second on my 10.

 

So I've been looking up a ton of information on Co2 systems for my tanks, since I'd like to help speed up the plant growth and help along some of my pickier plants (Dwarf Hairgrass, Dwarf Baby Tears, Bolbitis, etc). The thing is, I've already spent quite a chunk of money lately on plants, driftwood, tank upgrades, you name it, so I was looking at DIY as a way to lessen the cost while still being able to implement Co2 to at least one of my tanks to start (my 55g).
I'm honestly a bit confused with all of this, so any and all information and clarification would be greatly helpful!

So far I've come across two different methods -
Method 1: Gatorade/Similar bottle with a hole drilled in the cap, airline tubing and a check, and a simple mixture with yeast, sugar, baking powder. Seems simple, but a pain, and like it would require tons of constant refills and no way to really see how much Co2 is going into the system.

Method 2: A video by King of DIY that he says costs $25 (from what I've checked so far though, he must get discounts or have stuff already available to him), involving a DIY kit from eBay or Amazon that alone costs about $16, and then when you add up the other costs such as citric acid ($13 for a 5 pound bag on Amazon), Bubble Counter ($8), and a diffuser (depending on what you get, anywhere from $8 to $12). Adding it up, it comes pretty much around the same price as a Co2 kit or more.

My big question here is, does anyone know of any other methods that are efficient and safe (while still maintaining a reasonable cost and not needing to be refilled/replaced once a week), or just generally better alternatives? Or should I just put up with the cost of something like Method 2, and manage to somehow save money in the longrun?
I've just got no idea what to do!

 

So I've been looking up a ton of information on Co2 systems for my tanks, since I'd like to help speed up the plant growth and help along some of my pickier plants (Dwarf Hairgrass, Dwarf Baby Tears, Bolbitis, etc). The thing is, I've already spent quite a chunk of money lately on plants, driftwood, tank upgrades, you name it, so I was looking at DIY as a way to lessen the cost while still being able to implement Co2 to at least one of my tanks to start (my 55g).
I'm honestly a bit confused with all of this, so any and all information and clarification would be greatly helpful!

So far I've come across two different methods -
Method 1: Gatorade/Similar bottle with a hole drilled in the cap, airline tubing and a check, and a simple mixture with yeast, sugar, baking powder. Seems simple, but a pain, and like it would require tons of constant refills and no way to really see how much Co2 is going into the system.

Method 2: A video by King of DIY that he says costs $25 (from what I've checked so far though, he must get discounts or have stuff already available to him), involving a DIY kit from eBay or Amazon that alone costs about $16, and then when you add up the other costs such as citric acid ($13 for a 5 pound bag on Amazon), Bubble Counter ($8), and a diffuser (depending on what you get, anywhere from $8 to $12). Adding it up, it comes pretty much around the same price as a Co2 kit or more.

My big question here is, does anyone know of any other methods that are efficient and safe (while still maintaining a reasonable cost and not needing to be refilled/replaced once a week), or just generally better alternatives? Or should I just put up with the cost of something like Method 2, and manage to somehow save money in the longrun?
I've just got no idea what to do!

To safe money on long run you should consider purchase complete kit with at least 5.lb cylinder and regulator that include bubble counter. .What you really want to look for is any kit that is automated if you going to use DIY is every day work you would have to do everything manually turn off and on you will have to purchase baking sodas, citric acid, or yeast and sugar..
This what I would recommend
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5.lb refill is about $14-22 on 100.gal heavy planted tank I can run up to 5 months once you purchase your own cylinder all you have to do just exchange it..

 

Holy that's one heck of a cost... Just to make sure I'm understanding everything though, that would pretty much be a full setup for even a 55 gallon tank, would be able to have automation for turning off at night, and once the initial $61 is spent for the Co2 tank it could somehow be exchanged whenever it empties out without further cost for another full tank?

 

Co2 is inexpensive to get refilled.

 

Holy that's one heck of a cost... Just to make sure I'm understanding everything though, that would pretty much be a full setup for even a 55 gallon tank, would be able to have automation for turning off at night, and once the initial $61 is spent for the Co2 tank it could somehow be exchanged whenever it empties out without further cost for another full tank?

Correct fully automated all you need cheap timer from home improvement stores..

 

Co2 is inexpensive to get refilled.

Correct fully automated all you need cheap timer from home improvement stores..

Hmm, if it's cheap to get refilled and fully automated if I just grab a timer, I think I may save a bit extra and do that. May have to sell off some old liverock and lighting...
Hopefully it'll all be worth it though, especially to enhance the tank. I've only more recently started with doing planted and converting over from all plastic plants, so this is quite exciting!

 

Dave125 had a diy Co2 system. He upgraded to a more reliable Co2 setup. Here's his thread about it: New Co2 System For The 125 Gallon.

Hope this helps!

 

Since a CO2 system isn’t connected to electricity, you’ll need a solenoid to turn it on and off at night. It’s basically the link between the electric outlet and the mechanical system of a CO2 setup.

 

Dave125 had a diy Co2 system. He upgraded to a more reliable Co2 setup. Here's his thread about it: New Co2 System For The 125 Gallon.

Hope this helps!

Think I'll eventually go with what the others above have shown, but thank you! Very interesting to see different setups!

Since a CO2 system isn’t connected to electricity, you’ll need a solenoid to turn it on and off at night. It’s basically the link between the electric outlet and the mechanical system of a CO2 setup.

I'm curious, how does that work? Is it like essentially closing an air-tight vent?

 

Think I'll eventually go with what the others above have shown, but thank you! Very interesting to see different setups!


I'm curious, how does that work? Is it like essentially closing an air-tight vent?

Wikipedia says this: “A solenoid valve is an electromechanical device in which the solenoid uses an electric current to generate a magnetic field and thereby operate a mechanism which regulates the opening of fluid flow in a valve.”

 

What do you think about this?

 

I have wondered how well they work. I have seen some nice metal versions with solenoids on aliexpress.

 

How big is your tank? The DIY systems can work for small aquariums, but they are not that great for larger ones.

Before you jump into this rabbit hole, ask yourself whether you really NEED extra CO2. I have kept fish and plants for six decades and never had a CO2 system until last summer. Although mine works quite well, I am not sure I would purchase another if this one failed.

There are three ways of providing extra CO2 to your tank. One is to generate CO2 from the fermentation of sugar by yeast. This type of system can work, but there are far more disadvantages than advantages. The system is inherently unstable as the CO2 product varies with temperature, number of yeast cells, concentration of sugar, etc. I tried it and considered it a FAIL.

The dual chamber system using sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) in one chamber and an acid (citric acid or vinegar) in the other is much better. If set up properly, the system is self regulating, so CO2 output is controllable. This can work well for smaller tanks. There is even a single tank system that uses a pressure regulator.

The third method is to purchase liquid CO2 in a cylinder and control it using a pressure regulator and needle valve. I have CO2 injection on a 55 gallon tank using this type of setup. I have a 5# CO2 cylinder that has to be refilled ever four months. I have a good pressure regulator and needle valve. Once I set it up, I do not have to mess with it until I refill the tank four months later. Such a system is more expensive to set up than a DIY system, but it is more dependable and a lot less work.

 

My tank is 5 gallons, I am trying to grow carpeting plants in my tank.

 

I bet you'll have $30 worth of fun setting it up and watching it go for 3+ months. Thats $10 a month and you can unsubscribe just like netflix but easier. I keep getting tempted but always find another use for my $30.

 

For a 5 gallon tank, the DIY citric acid/baking soda option is viable. However, I suspect The2dCour is correct that you will try it for a while but will get tired of maintaining the system. Once the substrate is carpeted, you might be able to do without the added CO2.

 

I run passive CO2 in my tanks, using Fluval's 95G kit regulator to walk around to my tanks and refill the bell. It doesn't require the regulator to be plugged into an electrical outlet. For something as small as a 5G, I'd think that kit would last you a good long while if you're setting it up and running it like a normal CO2 system (i.e. not passive the way I do it). The catch with it being that you'd have to manually turn it on and off every day, which would mean adjusting it so you're getting to whatever bubble count you're after. Irt how I run my system, doing it passively I don't get the explosive growth that a normal co2 system gives you, it just adds a boost, but the pressurized cartridge has also lasted me since November when I set it up in 2 tanks. Also, zero percent chance of dumping my co2 into the tank and killing fish.

 

I think I may try Diy, because the other system is pretty expensive, and in the future, I might change. But for now I find with the work of the DIY system.

 

If you could take some pics of the results that would be great.

 

Ok I will