New to CO2 looking for tips

So, I'm new to CO2 and only recently redid my 10-gallon tank into more of an aquascape with lots of plants (Which I'll list below). I just got the Fluval CO2 20 Mini kit after reading reviews that the 30-gallon fluval kit had lots of issues. I also got a tip to use it better as the CO2 diffuser on this is large and bulky. So I purchased a bubble counter, a CO2 drop checker, and a CO2 ceramic diffuser (all by Fluval as well). Then, I just cut the tubing to go into the bubble counter and the diffuser and put the drop checker on the opposite end of the tank.

Now, the problem is, I've heard everything from 1 bubble per second, to 4-5 bubbles per second, to get a drop checker and you're set. I planned to start at the minimum and go from there based on the drop checker readings (I only got the drop checker today, but it's been blue since noon and just started turning green right before 8pm). I've tried doing 1 bubble per second and even ramped it up to 3-4 bubbles per second but the cartridge is somehow slowing down the bubbles after just a few minutes? The regulator valve hasn't shifted positions from what I've seen, so could this just be a faulty canister? Could I be leaking somewhere? It closes just fine, but just slowly turns down how much CO2 is going in.

My only other question is do I turn the CO2 off? I've heard you run it 24/7. I've heard you turn it on an hour before the lights are on and an hour before the lights turn off because the plants make their own CO2 at night. I'm doing the latter but I'd like to make sure I'm doing this right.

Mind you I don't feel educated enough to try and DIY my CO2, nor can I afford an expensive setup (I've spent hundreds of dollars on my tanks already with their various problems), so I'd like this to work out if I could figure out what's wrong. In the tank I have: monte carlo that I'm trying to carpet in the front, ludwigia super red mini, java ferns, narrow leaf java ferns, riccia fluitans, staurogyne repens, alternanthera reineckii, and an anubias.

 

In my experience, turn the co2 off at night. I'm sure there's a method to running co2 all the time, but I've never done that so I can't speak to it. I turn on my co2 a couple hours before lights are fully on, and turn it off a couple hours before lights are fully out for the exact reason you stated.

As for the inconsistent co2 pressure, in the past that happens to me when my cannister is nearing empty. The fluval mini kit has some very very small cannisters so depending on how long you've been running it may be nearly empty. At my LFS they sell 20lb co2 cannisters. It lasts my 125 gallon tank almost a year. It cost $100 for the first cannister, but it cost $20 for each new one. So I pay $20 a year for co2 now that I have it setup. Not sure how long those little cannisters are meant to last since I've never used them.

 

Agree with everything said above. Those kits, if you run it 4-5 BPS and over night, can run out in about 3-5 days... very ineffective long term and can quickly add up to more than a real CO2 set up in just a few months to a year.

 

Now, the problem is, I've heard everything from 1 bubble per second, to 4-5 bubbles per second, to get a drop checker and you're set.

Bubble counters do not have a standardized bubble size. And, tanks vary with how much CO2 needs to be injected to keep your drop checker green. Therefore, there's no way to know how many bubbles per second your tank needs without trail and error. Use the bubble counter to keep track of your own tank, understanding that count won't mean anything for another tank.

I planned to start at the minimum and go from there based on the drop checker readings (I only got the drop checker today, but it's been blue since noon and just started turning green right before 8pm).

Depending on how much CO2 you're injecting, it can take hours for your tank to get to optimal levels of CO2. Therefore, you'll need to turn your CO2 on at least 2 hours before the lights come on.

I've tried doing 1 bubble per second and even ramped it up to 3-4 bubbles per second but the cartridge is somehow slowing down the bubbles after just a few minutes? The regulator valve hasn't shifted positions from what I've seen, so could this just be a faulty canister? Could I be leaking somewhere? It closes just fine, but just slowly turns down how much CO2 is going in.

You could have a leaky regulator...test with soapy water by looking for bubbles. Yet, some regulators just need a break in period before they run stable. And, as other's have said, inexpensive (single stage) regulators vary their output depending on how full your CO2 tank is.

Single stage regulators are still usable, they just require more fiddling/regular checking.

My only other question is do I turn the CO2 off? I've heard you run it 24/7. I've heard you turn it on an hour before the lights are on and an hour before the lights turn off because the plants make their own CO2 at night. I'm doing the latter but I'd like to make sure I'm doing this right.

Yes, turn your CO2 off at night. The plants only use the CO2 when they are photosynthesizing. If you're not careful, and you leave the CO2 on all night, the CO2 could build up to lethal levels and kill your livestock.

Here are a couple of excellent videos on CO2 injection in the aquarium:

,

.

 

So, if I were to look into doing a bigger canister what exactly would I need and what would you all recommend? I'm not very big on DIY stuff so please give me advice that isn't too complex and I'm going for as cheap as I can get without losing quality.

I would need a canister, a bubble counter, a diffuser, a regulator with solenoid, and some sort of tubing? Given I don't have a lot of space where my tank is, I would want a smaller canister (5lbs is the smallest I can go without it being a waste, right?) and I don't have the slightest idea where I could get the rest of this other than online somewhere (I don't currently drive and don't know any reliable LFS nearby). Suggestions? Again, I'm going small and cheap without losing quality. I would like to use the bubble counter and ceramic diffuser I just bought, but I don't know if any new tubing would fit since they're small. I probably should've thought this through more before I spent money on this smaller stuff.

 

I'd suggest using a 5lb CO2 tank. It's a good size, and several places just switch out empty 5lb tanks for full ones. (They often don't refill CO2 tanks on site.) Therefore, I'd visit your nearest gas supply store and pick up a used, full, 5lb CO2 tank. Other places I've found one can get CO2: wineries, breweries, liquor stores, hobby shops, 4x4 off-road shops, and paintball shops.

If you can afford it, I'd highly suggest using a duel stage regulator (this is different than duel gauge). For a more budget option, I've had good success with the FZONE Aquarium CO2 Regulator Mini Series V.3.0 Dual Stage with DC Solenoid and Bubble Counter Check Valve. This unit will currently run you about $96 on Amazon. As I said, you can go for the cheaper single stage regulators...but they are fiddly and inconsistent.

That just leaves you needing to get CO2 tubing and a diffusor. You can get these at most aquarium shops, or online. They shouldn't cost too much.

Just a note. If you ever want nice stuff--but not budget--look at CO2Art's products. They're my favorite by far.