CO2 system for a small planted tank

Okay Nick, just realize that the Co2 bubbles will wear down and corrode your filter's impeller over time, so be ready to get a replacement for it.
 
Thanks Sammie for that one...didn't realise it would corrode part of my filter...I take it thats because the CO2 breaks down to Carbonic Acid.

How will I know when this part starts to wear...and on that matter, what exactly is the 'impeller'. (soory, just all tubes, fans, motors and sponge to me!)
 
This is a picture of an impeller for reference: http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/product/productInfo.web?picGroupKey=15184
I'm not sure how you know it is starting to wear, as I don't use this method, I use the ladder. Hopefully someone else will know. All I know is that when talking about CO2 dispersion through the filter the topic of impeller wear comes up, so I thought I'd just give you a heads up.

EDIT: After reading some posts, using the search option in the forum, I have come to the conclusion that the carbonic acid eats away the rubber seals and parts inside the filter; thus, rendering them useless. However, I don't know if it is so severe as to happen in a short period of time, as in a few years. It should be fine for several years, I think. The main problem, I believe, is with cannister filters and them becoming "air-locked" with CO2 and running dry for a period of time messing up the filter. Again, maybe someone else will chime in with some advice.
 
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Sammie, many many thanks for the fantastic info, and obviously made the effort to help me out...greatly appreciated. Thank you.

So Impeller = little fan bit.

I suppose I have a choice...buy an expensive pressurised CO2 system or stick with what I've got an be prepared to fork out a bit of cash from time to time......
 
No problem Nick. You should probably be fine with the filter method, just make sure you have a source that stocks impellers for your particular model of filter and maybe buy some to keep on hand just in case they stop making them or something. It should be fine.
 
Red Sea replacement packs

Hi,

I've been using the Red Sea system, but those replacement packs are darn near impossible to find anymore. Everyone wants to sell me a whole new system rather than just the small container of sugar and yeast. So I figure I'll make the stuff homemade. This message thread has been most helpful. Thanks. The post earlier that had links for yeast to sugar ratios was very nice. But I have one more question, if anyone out there still has a replacement container, can you measure to see what original Red Sea's ratio was? They filled that jar up most of the way, and had a small vial of yeast, but I never thought to look what amounts they were. Were they written on the side of container. I suppose one could just dump the contents into a measuring cup too. If anyone has an answer, thanks in advance.

Ed
 
I just used one a couple of days ago. Did not measure it, but it appeared to be about a level teaspoon of yeast and about a cup of sugar. This was to be mixed into 1 Liter of warm water. Hope this is helpful.
 
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