DIY Co2 Systems

Blue_Ram

Blue_Ram

German Blue Ram Addict
Jul 14, 2008
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Oregon
I am thinking about getting a Co2 system for my 38 gallon so that I can keep live plants in it. I have been told that I would need a Co2 system and that a cheaper way to do it is build your own. Can anyone tell me the steps to succesasfully building a Co2 system?

Thanks,

Blue_Ram
 
Besides the CO2, what are your plans for lights and ferts? Also check out the first sticky by Mgamer, if you havent already, its very informative.
 
You don't need a CO2 system, people just have them to increase the growth of the plants in their tanks. For a 38 gallon tank, I would get two 2 liter soda bottles and fill it up with 2 cups of sugar, 1 liter of warm water, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon of yeast.

1. Mix the sugar with the water.
2. Put some of the sugar water in a small cup and add the yeast, but don't stir yet.
3.5. Put the sugar water in the 2 liter bottle.
3. Wait 15 minutes and stir the yeast in the cup.
4. Wait 15 minutes after stirring to put the yeast mixture before adding it to the bottle.
5. Add the baking soda and fill with more warm water until it gets up to the curvature point near the top of the bottle.
6. Swirl the mixture in the bottle to make sure everything is well mixed.
 
You don't need CO2 as David said above. You can go low-tech planted and grow plants well. Low-tech generally means low light (< 2 wpg), no CO2 and no ferts. Many people do low-tech tanks, myself included. You'll just want to choose plants which grow well under low lights. You may want to try it before going high-tech.
 
NickD said:
You don't need CO2 as David said above. You can go low-tech planted and grow plants well. Low-tech generally means low light (< 2 wpg), no CO2 and no ferts. Many people do low-tech tanks, myself included. You'll just want to choose plants which grow well under low lights. You may want to try it before going high-tech.
Click to expand...

Thats how my 10 gallon is, but the Java Ferns all wilted and died. Thats why I am thinking I need a Co2 system of some type if I am going to keep them in my 38 gallon.
 
Blue_Ram said:
Thats how my 10 gallon is, but the Java Ferns all wilted and died. Thats why I am thinking I need a Co2 system of some type if I am going to keep them in my 38 gallon.
Click to expand...


If java fern wilts and dies you really have a problem. It does not need much light or nutrients to survive.
 
DAVIDFBT said:
You don't need a CO2 system, people just have them to increase the growth of the plants in their tanks. For a 38 gallon tank, I would get two 2 liter soda bottles and fill it up with 2 cups of sugar, 1 liter of warm water, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon of yeast.

1. Mix the sugar with the water.
2. Put some of the sugar water in a small cup and add the yeast, but don't stir yet.
3.5. Put the sugar water in the 2 liter bottle.
3. Wait 15 minutes and stir the yeast in the cup.
4. Wait 15 minutes after stirring to put the yeast mixture before adding it to the bottle.
5. Add the baking soda and fill with more warm water until it gets up to the curvature point near the top of the bottle.
6. Swirl the mixture in the bottle to make sure everything is well mixed.
Click to expand...

OK. Then what would I do afterwards. Would I dump the mixture in the tank or what? When does the mixture begin to work? Do I ever need to replace the mixture?
 
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