New CO2 question.

[Loachkeeper]

Today I went to buy new yeast packets for my Nutrafin yeast Co2 setup and the store owner handed me a Carbo Plus Co2 sytem. Told me to take it home, read up on it, and either bring it back if I didn't want it or bring him $100 for it. (my girlfriend used to work for his pet store so he knows me).

I have a 60g tank and am wondering if I should use this carbon based Co2 system or should just go ahead and give it back to him and go with a pressurized system. What do you think?

If I should go pressurized I would appreciate it if someone could point me in the direction of a good kit or how to build my own system.

I am a fabricator/mechanic so I am very familiar with cylinders/regulators from oxy/accet. torches. Is it as simple as getting a small cylinder filled with Co2, using a standard dual guage journeyman type regulator and running it from there to a ladder in the tank?

Anyway, I don't want this to turn into all about pressurized systems. I want to know if this Carbo Plus system is good enough for my size tank and if $100 for it is a good deal.

Thanks!

link of what the carbo plus is (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4610&N=2004+113779)

[phanmc]

Some reviews and comments about the Carbo Plus system curtesy of

The Krib (http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/CO2/electrolysis.html)

Basically, results seem to vary and its not conclusive whether or not it is anywhere near as effective as pressurized CO2.

Chuck Gadd's DIY Pressurized CO2 guide. (http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/diy_co2rig.htm)

Should tell you what you need to know about a slightly cheaper solution to pressurized CO2.

[Jay]

You should go online and price the replacement media needed and you will find that it is a way expensive way to go as compared to a tank and regulator.

[reiverix]

I'm sure if you looked around you could set up pressurized for not much more than you'll be paying for the carbo plus. A JBJ or Wilwaukee regulator will cost around $70 - $80. A CO2 bottle can vary in price. I paid $45 for a filled 5 pound tank. It was only $10 more for a 10 pound tank but I wasn't sure if it would fit in my stand, which I now know it would (so I'm thinking about getting a spare). Every 3 months I get a refill at $10.

So up front it's more expensive for compressed CO2 without a doubt. But long term I think it's even cheaper than DIY. It's like plug and play and something you won't regret.

[Loachkeeper]

I think I'm going to go with it. I think it will put out enough Co2 and if it doesn't I can add my Hagen yeast canister to help. I don't think pressurized Co2 is what I really want right now.

[reiverix]

I'll be interested to see how it works out. I'm sure you'll be fine.

[Raithan Ellis]

I used a Carbo Plus with satisfactory results in a 30 gallon long aquarium. It was a bit costly for replacement media w/housing. Frankly the housing replacement isn't necessary, however it does make life a lot easier than chipping off that calcium buildup or what have you after using up a carbon block. Vinegar works wonders on it as well, if you have more patience than I.

Barely had to turn the thing up to get a nice stream of bubbles off the media, perhaps 3-4 bars was perfect to get my plants pearling under four 32w T8 lamps.

Cheers!
Raithan O. Ellis