CO2 - collecting info for FAQ

[nanahachi]

Like my Fertilizer/Nutrient pseudo FAQ, I want to collect info for CO2, BOTH DIY and pressurized CO2.
For reference, see Fertilizer Recommendations & Info - the Informal FAQ (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12585)


For the CO2 FAQ, I would like to collect info on:

* DIY sugar/yeast recipes

* DIY equipment - e.g. DIY Diffusers. -->link to Instructions would really help a lot!!

* Commercial equipment - Diffusers/Reactors

* Pressurized systems - tanks, regulators, etc


Any and all info would help.
Links to useful threads would be very very welcome.

like this one for example:
http://aquabotanicwetthumb.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=4006090712&f=8006023812&m=9066099522

Thanks for your help!

[djlen]

Ok, I'll kick this puppy off. Still can't figure out why they haven't made the other one a sticky............

For CO2, here is what I consider a great deal:
http://www.dlink.org/aqua/CO2.html with and accompanying article here:
http://www.mindspring.com/~hanson101/aquaria_co2.html
The needle valve and the Duetto diffuser are the only things I don't use on this system.
I like Clippard's needle valves much better....very fine....very accurate. www.clippard.com
I use a Hagen 402 Power Head to diffuse the gas into the water table. I get a fine mist into the water of which very little makes it to the surface before dissolving.
Some say there are better diffusers available. I'm sure more people will chime in with their opinions and gadgets.
Len

[NJ Devils Fan]

This is my recipe for Diy CO2.

Ingredients:

one 2 Liter soda bottle
1 and a half cups of sugar
3/4 teaspoon of yeast
super glue
airline tubing
bubble diffuser


First, fill the soda bottle about half way with warm water. Then, pour the cup and a half of sugar and the 3/4 tablespoon into the bottle and shake it. Next, make a hole in the bottle cap that is just big enough to get the tubing into it and put it about an inch or through the cap. Smething like an electric screwdriver or drill will help, but, if you have to, use a fillips screwdriver. Put some of the super glue around the cap to seal the little bit of space between the cap and tube and let it dry. Screw on the cap. On the other end of the tube, place the bubble diffuser as far down in the fish tank as possible(the farther the bubbles have to travel, the more CO2 actually dissolves in the water). Within an hour or so, bubbles should start to come out. One bottle is good for about 25 gallons, so, you can of course make more bottles for bigger tanks, and, if you want, connect them all.

If for some reason there are no bubbles comming out, check the connections. A good way to see if there is a leak is to put some dishwasher soap on your finger and rub it around the cap. If its starts to bubble, you have to reseal with super glue. Another problem could be that your the room where the tank is located is too cold for the yeast and suger to ferment. In that case, put the bottle in a bucket will water and put a small fish tank heater in it to keep the water and mixture warm.

[bobalston]

Take a look at my web site for info on pressurized co2:


http://members.cox.net/tulsaalstons/AquaticPlants.htm#High%20Pressure%20CO2

Bob

[nanahachi]

thanks guys!

len, i knew you were gonna post that CO2 deal :p
thanks for contributing!

I will post my findings as I keep searching and collecting info. Then, when this thread ceases to have new info, I'll organize it, and create a new FAQ-like thread, like the other.

Len, others, I have PM'd reefscape and Richer about making the fert. FAQ thread sticky, but maybe they've been a bit busy. maybe it wouldnt hurt if someone else also sent a PM to *remind* them.

keep the info coming. I think it will help answer the perpetual flurry of CO2 related questions.

I hope this helps.
thanks!!

[125gJoe]

This is from 6/18/03...

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=12501

Here's the 'excellent' article....

http://www.wcf.com/co2iron/faq.html

[djlen]

For those of you who use the Yeast/Sugar CO2 set-up and struggle with keeping the connection of the air line out of the bottle air tight. Here is the solution. These things make an air tight connection and are easy to install. Very inexpesive as well:
http://www.towerhobbies.com/listings/cat-cat-p2.html
Click on fuel fittings. Schroll down to Fourmost Bulkhead Fittings - LXG849
Drill a hole in the bottle cap so the fitting fits nice and snug and tighten supplied nut down. I never had one leak on me after much use. In fact you'll have to replace the bottle cap before one of these fittings.
Len

[nanahachi]

len, those look pretty neat, thanks!

and just a quick addition for CO2 info:

An easy to read pH/KH/CO2 table courtesy of SFBAAPS :D
http://www.sfbaaps.com/reference/table_01.shtml

also a GREAT site for pH / KH / GH info:
Learn about water hardness, pH, gH and kH here! (http://www.drhelm.com/aquarium/chemistry.html)


I'll have more time next week to dig for CO2 info, but keep it comin guys. if you have ideas how to organize the info, and what to include, please let me know