Carbo-Plus CO2 system

[Dahlia]

Has anyone tried the Carbo-Plus CO2 system? It is offered at Big Al's (http://www.bigalsonline.com/) for 129.99. It is a small, simple looking machine and this is the product claim:


THE MOST TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED WAY TO ADD CARBON DIOXIDE TO YOUR AQUARIUM FOR LUSH PLANT GROWTH. THE CARBO-PLUS DOES NOT USE BOTTLED GAS OR REACTION CHAMBERS TO ADD CO2 TO YOUR TANK. JUST ATTACH THE STAINLESS STEEL UNIT CONTAINING THE CARBON BAR INTO YOUR AQUARIUM, PLUG IN THE CONTROL BOX AND TURN THE CARBON-PLUS ON! REPLACE THE CARBON BLOCK WHEN CARBO-PLUS TELLS YOU AND ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF CO2 WITHOUT HAVING TO REFILL PRESSURIZED BOTTLES. ONE YEAR MANUFACTURER GUARANTEE.

Seems too good to be true, is it? There is no ideal aquarium size mentioned or anything about regulating the amount of CO2 you add. Any idea how it works?

[carpguy]

Here's a thread (http://aquabotanicwetthumb.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=4006090712&f=3996060812&m=4576003932&r=2996084932#2996084932) from another forum that covers the pros and cons pretty thoroughly. Basically, it'll use up KH in your water so you need to be careful if you have soft water. The cost is high — almost as high as pressurized and with a higher maintenance cost. The block needs to be cleaned on a regular basis, so its not maintenance-free. It apparently can be regulated and can run the CO2 up to about about 15ppm or so in a 40g.

Personally I'd go pressurized. The cost is similar, its not especially complicated, and the maintenance is minimal.

[RTR]

I have a couple of Carbo-Plus units, and they do work within limits. Tank size matters big time. The 40 gallon tank mentioned is about the top possible, and even at that you are not going to get enough CO2 for a high light/high supplement tank. When the operating cost are coupled with the initial investment it makes the units several time more expensive than pressurized gas - the latter cost more up front, but operating costs are trivial. Carbo-plus use up the carbon block in operation, so it needs replacement after 3-6 months, and the stainless jacket becomes so encrusted with deposited minerals that I replaced it at the same interval(cleaning took much more time than the component is worth).

I got the units for a situation where I wanted faster growth than I normally run, and could not use bottled gas (not allowed). When I moved that tank back home, the units were and are stored.

So yes, they can work and do work, but you pay for the privilege. I did keep some broken coral bits in a canister on the tank to keep the KH up.