View Full Version : CO2 for a small tank
iamgroovy
06-11-2009, 12:58 PM
Is anyone familiar with the CO2 Natural Plant System w/CO2 Activator &
Stabilizer by Hagen http://www.aquacave.com/co2-natural-plant-systembr-wco2-activator--brstabilizer-by-hagen-1771.html or Sera CO2 kit http://www.aquacave.com/sera-co2-start-kit-2117.html ?
I have a 10g with a betta and some cherry shrimp and snails. It's planted and has been setup for about 2 years. Until recently, the plants were doing really well. They now seem to be slowly languishing. The lighting is a Satellite Compact Fluorescent Fixture with a 40w SunPaq Dual Daylight
6700ēK/10000ēK bulb (I'm considering replacing the bulb as it's 2 years old but not sure if I should). I've looked at chemical additives that claim to add CO2 but most contain copper.
I'm looking for a small simple inexpensive kit to add some CO2 for my plants that's safe for my inhabitants.
Thank you!
DoN_WoN
06-11-2009, 1:03 PM
DIY co2, 1 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon of yeas and warm water all in a 2 liter bottle, drill a hole in the cap and put airline tubing through, silicone the tube to the cap, and put an airstone to the end of the tubing into the tank..
here is my friends thread were me and him made DIY co2, works perfect http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=196523
roscoe70
06-11-2009, 1:06 PM
First off probably a good idea to change out the bulb given it's age. I don't have any experience with the product you are showing except I am using a bubble ladder with a DIY set up. I find myself watching the bubbles work back and forth up the ladder as much as I watch my fish....WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME?????
I get almost .3 drop in PH using this setup on my tank, actually using 2 on a 58 gallon. Will go to pressurized CO2 in the near future, but so far good growth and no significant algae problems(knock on wood) Good luck.
jpappy789
06-11-2009, 1:24 PM
The hagen setup is basically a DIY system with a bubble ladder. So essentially what you are paying for is the ladder...
Might as well go DIY.
iamgroovy
06-11-2009, 3:52 PM
DIY co2, 1 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon of yeas and warm water all in a 2 liter bottle, drill a hole in the cap and put airline tubing through, silicone the tube to the cap, and put an airstone to the end of the tubing into the tank..
here is my friends thread were me and him made DIY co2, works perfect http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=196523
Thanks! That looks really simple and I may try it with my tank at home, but this tank is at work. I work at a bank so it has to look fairly nice and there is really no way to hide it. That's why I was looking at kits.
rocker92
06-11-2009, 4:00 PM
i would go with 2 cups of sugar, 1/4 tsp of yeast and warm water till the bottle curves at the top.
seetharam
06-11-2009, 4:04 PM
Have you considered Seachem Flourish Excel as a CO2 source?
iamgroovy
06-11-2009, 4:09 PM
First off probably a good idea to change out the bulb given it's age. I don't have any experience with the product you are showing except I am using a bubble ladder with a DIY set up. I find myself watching the bubbles work back and forth up the ladder as much as I watch my fish....WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME?????
I get almost .3 drop in PH using this setup on my tank, actually using 2 on a 58 gallon. Will go to pressurized CO2 in the near future, but so far good growth and no significant algae problems(knock on wood) Good luck.
LOL, I'll be watching the bubbles too and there's nothing wrong with that! I wondered about the Ph drop also but when I first started fish keeping (years ago) I thought my Ph HAD to be at a certian level and I tried everything to lower it but no matter what I did it stayed right at 7.8. I finally read somewhere that it's more important to have stable Ph so I gave it up. If this does lower my Ph a little, that wont be a bad thing as long as it doesn't happen to quickly!
iamgroovy
06-11-2009, 5:01 PM
Have you considered Seachem Flourish Excel as a CO2 source?
I believe that contains copper and I have inverts.
phanmc
06-11-2009, 6:46 PM
Flourish Excel doesn't have copper, regular Flourish does.
Still, a CO2 system is better than just Excel, especially at your light level.
The Hagen system is basically a pre-made DIY yeast system with a cool but bulky diffuser/bubble counter.
As for the other system using what looks like fizz tablets, I just don't see them lasting nearly as long as the yeast method.
iamgroovy
06-11-2009, 7:08 PM
Flourish Excel doesn't have copper, regular Flourish does.
Still, a CO2 system is better than just Excel, especially at your light level.
The Hagen system is basically a pre-made DIY yeast system with a cool but bulky diffuser/bubble counter.
As for the other system using what looks like fizz tablets, I just don't see them lasting nearly as long as the yeast method.
Good to know thanks! Any reason I shouldn't use the Excel and CO2?
AquaGem
06-11-2009, 7:14 PM
I have this and I like it a lot. I know it's basically DIY but I like the look of it more :)
phanmc
06-11-2009, 8:12 PM
Good to know thanks! Any reason I shouldn't use the Excel and CO2?
Some plants like anacharis and vals can be sensitive to Excel. If your CO2 level is good enough then using Excel will only be a waste of money. Other than that there is no harm in using both.
Excel can act as an algaecide, very effective against BBA, so its good to have some on hand.
iamgroovy
06-11-2009, 9:06 PM
No vals but I do have anachris. I think I'll stick with the CO2 for now. Thanks for the info!
Avoid the fizz factory... it is a total mess and very expensive in the long run. Just use the DIY method if you want to add co2. it is very easy to maintain, very cheap and works like a charm.