diy c02 for 5.5g tank; mixture/plant questions

[biggie357]

i set up a 5.5g with a DIY c02 system last night and tonight my plants seem to be doing a little better. my moneywort is collecting some decent size oxygen bubbles underneath the leaves, and my java moss has sprouted countless 1/8" 'branches'.

I used a 2L pop bottle. put in 2 cups of sugar, 1 teaspoon of yeast, then filled with water slightly warmer than room temperature to the 3/4 mark (top of of label).

the solution is fizzing tiny bubbles, but not collecting in the center or anything, just like a carbonated drink. i have an airtight seal with an airline to the intake of my filter, which seems to dissolve the bubbles completely, and producing one bubble every 10-15 seconds.

is this mixture and bubble count ok for my tank? i have Ludwigia, Moneywort, Java moss, Cardamine, and Wisteria. betta, shrimp, 2 guppies, and snails.

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp41/biggie357/IMG_0991.jpg



I'm new to c02 and live plants so im looking for some info

[thebrandon]

In my book you are safe...but I am no expert lol...

on another note, that is a great looking little tank you have there.

[customdrum]

i use a mixture of 1 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon yeast and tank pearls for 5-6 days strait. i use hot water and fill about the same almost 3/4 full water.
takes about 1hour max to start bubbling.

[dafferspup]

Champagne yeast is great, too. You see bubbles in less than 10 minutes. I get mine at a brewery near me. Not sure what kind it is, either. Right now, I am not using DIY Co2. But plan on setting up another tank soon with the Hagen bottle and ladder. Champagne yeast lasts about 10 days.

[customdrum]

how much is the champagne yeast?

[Bubbles2112]

Compliments on your beautiful tank!! It looks great! You have an AquaClear HOB filter so that will allow the CO2 to escape. I wouldn't worry about having to much with the HOB filter you have. If you notice your fish near the top gulping--then you have to much CO2. If you only have the betta in the tank-then disregard as they get O2 from the surface!

[dafferspup]

how much is the champagne yeast?

I got it for like $1.00 a small packet. But you can go here to check out the different prices. Not sure if one is better than the other. Just remember to keep it in freezer or fridge.


http://homebrewheaven.com/pasteur-champagne-yeast-red-star.htm

[addicted2fish]

I buy red star but its at the grocery store, so I am sure its reg yeast , lol But I dont think we have a brewery near us, and so if shipping is in the cards, I would have to see a great price on that .

Your co2 sounds fine. just right, you will see in a mth or 2, your tank will be overfilled with growth !! ~~

[marinrboy]

I been thiking about a DIY system. Could you explain what you mean and how you hook up a airline to the intake on a HOB filter. Thanks

[biggie357]

I been thiking about a DIY system. Could you explain what you mean and how you hook up a airline to the intake on a HOB filter. Thanks


Basically its a mixture of Yeast and Sugar that make C02. bycombining the right amount of both, you can make yourself a "concoction" that will "fizz" like a carbonated drink for a few weeks. this fizzing is pure c02.

You attach a piece of airline tubing to the cap in your c02 bottle, and then basically just stick the other end of it into your tank, and INTO the intake tube of your filter. this means that the filter will help to "pull" the c02 out of the tube, and it will bring the bubbles through, and into your impeller in your filter. the impeller just mashes up the c02 bubbles and helps dissolve it into the tank.


i thought it was complicated at first, but once you do it, youll smack yourself for being so smart.