CO2 system for a small planted tank

G

galen

AC Members
Jan 26, 2007
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NY
Hi- I am considering three systems for C)2 injection into my small 10 gallon tank. The Red Sea, the Hagen and the Jungle systems are the three contenders. My ? is which is the cheaper to use? I' ve read that the Red Sea Turbo System uses yeast fermentation but uses packs made by the company. Could I just use regular yeast and stuff from the local store instead? The same idea flows for the Hagen CO2 system- systemhttp://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=8981&N=2004+113779
Anyway, I look forward to reading the responses! Thanks!:)
 
I have the Hagen system and I think the most it has going for it is the looks( a lot neater than DIY) and the ladder. Yes, you can make your own mix as with DIY and it would also prove wiser, as you can tailor it to your needs and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg each time you have to change the mix.

If you don't have to buy a pre-setup system, you could just as easily do DIY and be able to sustain the reaction longer with a bigger bottle. For diffusion you could use the "filter intake" method; the ladder, provided by the Hagen system; or a CO2 bell.

For me, the Hagen system with the ladder works well, and with a good yeast mix recipe you'll be all set.:dance2:
 
well, i am curious about the hagen vs red sea delivery systems. the red sea uses a powerhead whereas the hagen uses a ladder. perhaps i am just ignorant about the two, but doesnt the red sea hold the adavntage as it disperses the co2 over a wider area than the hagen, or am i misunderstanding something? i am just under the impression that the pwoerhead style delivery was a better way to go to get the most gas to the plants. thanks!
 
The red sea might be a little much for a 10 gal I would go with the Hagen that what i have in my 2 10 gals. Also the jungle sucks i used to have one.
 
Co2 dispersion is simply dependent on good flow, if you have a good current then the CO2 will get around.

A powerhead chops the CO2 bubbles into a fine mist which allows the CO2 to dissolve into the water more easily, it's a good method. Only drawback is it uses electricity and takes up an outlet spot.

The ladder is also an effective method of diffusing CO2 and you can actually watch the CO2 bubble shrink as it climbs the ladder, which I enjoy watching. Drawbacks are it is rather big and things can get in the way of the bubbles and reduce it's effectiveness, like snails.

If I had to say which is better in terms of CO2 diffusion it would be the powerhead, though both are good.
 
Have you considered just using Flourish Excel (liquid carbon source) daily? If you're not going with a high-light set-up it might be a good option for you.
 
John N. said:
Yes you can use your own Yeast and Sugar mixtures for the fermentation process for both the Hagen and Red Sea kits. Between the two i would use the Hagen ladder, it seem to be more effective than the Red Sea kit for me.

However the third option, would be to use Seachem Excel as your CO2 source or supplement to any DIY CO2.

-John N.
Click to expand...
So are you saying that you can use simple cane sugar and simple yeast from the Homebaking section of my local Supermarket???

If thats the case then thats great as it will suit my CO2!

Can anyone advice on quantities to get the mix right?

I.e. how much sugar in how much water with how much yeast?

I would like to know, foe example,

100g Sugar to 1 litre water and 5g yeast, that sort of thing?
 
 
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