Developing an algae problem...what is this?

The packaged CO2 stuff is basically sugar water and brewer's yeast anyway. Just diy and save some money. An upgrade to pressurized is a great idea if you can afford it. It'll go a long way on a smaller tank too. As far as the algae, I'm guessing green hair or stag on the first few and BBA on the last one. I know a squirt of Excel will knock the BBA and GHA out, no problem. I've never had staghorn so I'm not positive. That won't keep it from coming back though. Reduce lighting (watts, not photoperiod) and ferts until you get some CO2 rocking.
 
You can try glutaraldehyde as a cheap source of CO2 vs excel. It should be easy for you to get being in an academic/lab setting. I used to have it to fix slides when I was in college doing research. Google it to find the thread on the amt. for dosing and the % of glutaraldehyde to buy.
 
Some will disagree with me but I don't think the excel is not a good replacement for CO2. However, it kills algae and some plants like nobody's business. Careful if you have valisinera, excel will melt it. Rotala holds up well in my experience though, where the algae will not.
 
If I can offer a suggestion on the DIY CO2: Don't bother with any 2-litre soda bottles, Get a large juice bottle like the Welch's 96 oz bottle. Don't use any silicone for attaching/sealing the airline tubing it will just give you endless troubles. Instead drill a hole into the the top that is one size smaller than the tubing. Cut your airline tubing at an angle and poke it thru the hole then pull it thru with a pair of pliers. The smaller hole will seal the airline tubing so no CO2 will escape and you won't have to worry about the silicone leaking (which it will do every time you touch or move the bottle!).
 
:iagree:... :y220e:... :iagree:... :worthy:

larger bottle = more consistent
tube through small hole = air tight

less troubles = more time for :popcorn:... yup popcorn
 
:rofl:

The more you make, the more consistent CO2 you will have. It might also be good to run two separate containers that way you will not have to batches running low after a couple weeks...one will cover for the other if you have them changed on a different schedule.
 
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