Does the co2 reactor canister have to be below the tank (Hagen)

[WaterBaby]

I'm about to hook one up to my 10g tank. Does the reactor have to be below the tank (for pressure purposes). I don't have the tank on a stand and to put the canister on the floor next to the tank is just asking for trouble (a certain 2yr old that will remain nameless ;) ).

[Rex Grigg]

It can be placed anywhere within reason.

[webcricket]

If placed above, just be careful it can't be tipped over on it's side. You wouldn't want gravity pulling the yeast solution down into the tank.

[WaterBaby]

on the floor next to the tank

I didn't mean it to sound like my tank is on the floor.... it's on a table...:p:

Thanks for the replies :)

[Mgamer20o0]

i put my above the water line to make sure it wouldnt siphon back into the co2 bottle and that nasty stuff in my tank. on the other hand a simple one way valve would stop that.

[snickle]

It comes with a hanger to hang on the back of the tank.

[WaterBaby]

:duh:


Thanks Snickle,,,,, just saw that in the box..................

Michele

PS... You know what else was amusing (not)... I noticed that on the side of the box it says to use the packets within 18 months of date.......... The date on the packets are *2/2002*........

[Mgamer20o0]

well that sucks. i would email the company and tell them you just bought it and it came with expired stuff. see if they will replace it for you. you could try to switch it at the place you bought it.

[WaterBaby]

I wish I could take it back. I actually bought 2 from a store that was going out of business and got them for like $9.00 each. I guess I can't complain.

If any of you know the link to make your own reactive agent specifically for this unit, could you please post it for me. I looked, but couldn't find it...

Thanks

[Sammie7]

I don't know of any links, but I can tell you what I do for mine. I fill the cannister up to the first line with sugar. I get a cup of warm dechlorinated water and put a half a teaspoon of yeast in the water with a pinch of sugar, to help get it activated. Make sure the water is not hot or else you will kill the yeast. After about 5 minutes I fill the cannister up to the second line with the yeast water. Then I place the lid on tightly and put it behind my tank. I usually change mine in the night, so that it will start bubbling for the next day. That way I don't lose any CO2 production during the time when the plants are using it. Also some people put bicarbonate of soda in the mix as well. This is mostly done if you have soft water. If you have hard water you should be okay without it.
Oh yeah, don't worry about the packets. Most people say they are junk anyway. Just another way of getting your money. I believe I heard it was 7 dollars for three packets. Notice I said " I heard" there is no way that I would pay that price for some yeast and baking soda that I could get for a few cents.

[Rex Grigg]

Do a Google search for DIY CO2. Pulls up over 1 million results. Most of which are actually helpful.

[Mgamer20o0]

One which has been successful for many people is a combination of 3 cups of white granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of yeast.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31965

[WaterBaby]

Also some people put bicarbonate of soda in the mix as well. This is mostly done if you have soft water. If you have hard water you should be okay without it.



I just hooked up my hagen system to my 10g. I used 1/4tea of bread yeast and am getting about 4 bubbles per minute. I didn't use any bicarb of soda in the mix. I don't have soft water. Is this going to make a difference?

I also used the highest position setting for the nozzle (3). Those of you who use the ladder will know what I am refering to. Is it in the right place?

[Sammie7]

To get the highest amount of CO2 into solution you should have the nozzle in the bottom setting. This way it can go the full length of the ladder and dissolve more. Any bubbles that reach the top are wasted CO2.
It is alright if you didn't use the baking soda. As I said, if you DO have soft water you should use baking soda. I think the thinking behind that was to make sure the mix doesn't get too acidic and kill the yeast.

[WaterBaby]

Thank you Sammie7, the directions said to use the top position for a 10gal (if I interpreted them correctly

I see in your signature that your hagen is hooked up to your 10g also. Do you have the nozzle in the lowest position?

Sorry for the questions, but I'm a little nervous using this on my frog tank. I'd hate to make a stupid mistake and lose them.

Thanks for the help!!

Michele

[Sammie7]

I have had it in that position since I got it. Yes, I know that it said to use it in the high position, but if you can see my logic that isn't the best way to get the CO2 completely dissolved. Having it like this won't hurt anything as it is very hard to OD a tank with DYI CO2. Even more so with only 4 bubbles per minute. I doubt you are getting anything real substantial in your tank anyway. Add to the fact that if you have a filter running that it is going to increase the outgassing of CO2. Do you have a HOB(hang on the back filter)? You should also not worry about the DYI CO2 at night because again at that rate the CO2 going into your tank is too negligable to pose a threat to your livestock. How long ago did you set it up? What kind of frogs do you have, ADFs? If so they breath from the air anyway.