CO2 Injection

[daveedka]

Thanks happy chem, Being a circulation and oxygenation fanatic these concepts are hard to accept. I recently put sponges over the outputs of my HOB's to stop all surface movement. I don't know if I will get used to it or not right now it is driving me batty every time I look at my tanks. I have noticed a difference in co2 levels already without actually adding any, and my plants are all doing well. I guess sooner or later high tech is going to get me. but I'm avaioding it as long as possible.

 

[glass-gardens]

I ran two fermentation generators for the longest time on a 75 with only about a .2 pH fluctuation overnight simply by turning up the filter, however, I could never get the CO2 level above 15PPM in that tank simply because the DIY generators just didn't put out enough. But I still had great plant growth, any CO2 is better than no CO2 in my opinion.

It's been my experience that unless you want to use a pH controller, trying to stabilize pH levels can many times lead to worse fluctuations than "set it and forget it" so you want to be careful, and if you're using a fermentation generator, it's rather hard to shut off the CO2

 

[daveedka]

My point is this, I am not home on a daily basis (usually gone monday through friday about 45 weeks each year) to turn off the co2 or turn up a filter or do anything else, I am satisfied with my plant condition, but would like to increase growth, and eliminate some minor algea issues as well. Before I start with any kind of Co2 addition I am trying to figure out if it can be done properly withut risking my fish and without being there every day to babysit it.

I have read enough to believe that I should be able to add some Co2 and not have to worry about my fish. I realise I can't push the limits or drive my plants really hard, but hinestly I don't have the light for that anyhow. I'm just trying to verify things. If turning off Co2 isn't an option, turning up my filter at night isn't either.
Dave

 

[glass-gardens]

Then unfortunately a pH controller in conjunction with a solenoid activated regulator would be the only option I can think of.

 

[ChicoRaton]

well, you could also plug the solenoid valve into the same timer as the lights so that the co2 is only running when the lights are...or simply run a low CO2 level. I'd just find the bubble rate that puts your CO2 at 20ppm right after lights-on and I'd leave it there. less fluctuation than trying to manually control it with a timer, etc.

 

[beviking]

Pressurized 24/7. Other than initial bubble rate, I haven't touched mine since I set it up 6 months ago.

 

[daveedka]

I'd just find the bubble rate that puts your CO2 at 20ppm right after lights-on and I'd leave it there. less fluctuation than trying to manually control it with a timer, etc.

Pressurized 24/7. Other than initial bubble rate, I haven't touched mine since I set it up 6 months ago.

thanks everyone, this is what I was looking for, For starters my plan was to build a couple of generators and just up the levels somewhat, then gradually see how high a bubblerate I need to find a good level. Once things are determined I figured I'd get a bottle set up and go with that. With my light levels, I can really run things without Co2, but as said I just keep wanting a little more so I'll eventually be high tech I imagine.
Dave

 

[ChicoRaton]

Make sure you get a good needle valve or it'll be more work than yeast based I bought a pressurized system and I've been messing with it every couple days to keep the bubble rate constant. I'l going to eventually shell out another $15 or $20 or so for a decent valve, but until then it's kind of a headache... oh speaking of that, I built the coolest co2 reactor... I'll post about it in DIY

 

[Otocinclus]

Changing out dihydrogen oxide is 10x the chore of carbon dioxide. I swear we are water caretakers, not fish/plant caretakers.

The people who lost fish from too much CO2 had to have been (mis)using pressurized systems. (or maybe used a whole packet of yeast!) I have found that its almost impossible to inject too much CO2 with DIY when the right amount of yeast is used. I agree with what others have said, a full teaspoon is waaay too much for a 2L setup.

Thanks for posting the Jello recipe Starry, I think I will try that in a few weeks.

 

[TKOS]

Well that all depends on the buffering capacity of your water. My brother found out the hard way about his KH and GH.