i love plants, buying co2 seems expensive, is it really needed, and what are some good places to get some equipment cheap?
buying co2
- Thread starter rose1
- Start date
It depends on your setup.
How large is your tank?
How much lighting do you have?
What kind of plants are you interested in?
How large is your tank?
How much lighting do you have?
What kind of plants are you interested in?
In the long run buying a pressurized CO2 set up will save you money compared to DIY CO2. Not to mention how much easier it is to operate after you get it going for the first time.
Save up, spend about $150 for the set up, and then it'll only cost you about $15 a year to keep it going.
15 bucks. That's pretty cheap to me.
Save up, spend about $150 for the set up, and then it'll only cost you about $15 a year to keep it going.
15 bucks. That's pretty cheap to me.
30 gallon, i have 55 dual watt power compact and a twin tube flourecent30 watts each i think, java fern, val, and others. what are some good places to get a co2 system?
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I would also recommend a pressurized CO2 system but it does require a large investment the first time, though is cheaper in the long run. You can get a pressurized CO2 tank at most beer homebrewing shop or welding shop. The rest of the CO2 system is probably easiest to get online. Most aquarium plant store websites like Aquabotanic.com and Aquariumplants.com carries CO2 equipment. Here's a good link that tells you the minimum requirements for a CO2 system:
Chuck Gadd's DIY CO2 System
If the initial cost of the CO2 setup is a stopper for you, then the yeast method will work just fine in a 30 gallon tank. Here's a great DIY article on making one yourself:
John LeVasseur's treatise on DIY CO2
If you're not a DIY kind of person, you can just get 2 of these:
Nutrafin CO2 system
Chuck Gadd's DIY CO2 System
If the initial cost of the CO2 setup is a stopper for you, then the yeast method will work just fine in a 30 gallon tank. Here's a great DIY article on making one yourself:
John LeVasseur's treatise on DIY CO2
If you're not a DIY kind of person, you can just get 2 of these:
Nutrafin CO2 system
thanks for the help, i saw another device, says it releases co2 from a carbon block, its called the Aquarium Products Carbo-Plus Co2 System. anyone use, or heard of it and how well does it works? look pretty easy to use.
http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=19231;category_id=2873;pcid1=3349;pcid2=
http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=19231;category_id=2873;pcid1=3349;pcid2=
I've looked into that and from what I've read, its not going to replace pressurized CO2 for many. Its going to be more expensive than pressurized CO2. The kit may be cheaper than a pressurized CO2 unit but the carbon block costs $40 and lasts anywhere between 2-6 months (6 being very generous and questionable). A Co2 5 lb tank can last just as long or longer and can be refilled for less then half the price.
The CO2 output is not as controllable as a pressurized CO2 tank with a precision needle valve and you have to prime the carbon block for a couple of days in water before using it.
Here's a link to the Krib's debate about Carbo-Plus, with Plantbrain (Tom Barr) in the mix.
http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/CO2/electrolysis.html
The CO2 output is not as controllable as a pressurized CO2 tank with a precision needle valve and you have to prime the carbon block for a couple of days in water before using it.
Here's a link to the Krib's debate about Carbo-Plus, with Plantbrain (Tom Barr) in the mix.
http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/CO2/electrolysis.html