DIY CO2 advice

[jajabinx89]

Greetings my fishy friends.

I was directed from another thread to look into DIY CO2 systems, and I've been trying to do a lot of research and feel like I understand the broad overview of what I need to do if I actually go through with it. I have a couple issues I wanted opinions on though, and they are as follows:

1) I don't know if I can bring myself to create these things using old soda bottles and such, it's just a personal thing but after working so hard to make my tank look nice, I don't want it to appear cheapened with a lot of recycle clutter around the tank.. hopefully in the future I'll be able to get a large enough stand for my tank (24g) to hide the equipment in, but for now most of the equipment will have to remain out in the open.. at least only hide behind the tank stand. So because of this I was wondering if any one had created any "nicer" looking containers for their DIY setup? If not.. what are opinions about the product Hagen Plant Gro CO2 Natural Plant System.. and once I buy it I could buy my own yeast culture mixture so I wouldn't keep buying their overpriced cultures? If I bought this, is there ANY other equipment I would need in regards to CO2 injection for my tank?

2) Would one canister (Hagen container) / soda bottle (that size, anyways) provide a decent amount of CO2 for my tank (again: 24gal). Will have medium, leaning towards heavy planting in tank, would you recommend a second container?

3) I understand the purpose for inserting a check valve.. I believe, lol. But out of curiosity can someone please explain to me how a check valve actually works?

Thanks in advance for everyone looking at this. I'll be using this thread for future questions once I start building this thing up (*fingers crossed* - hopefully sooon)

P.S. Sorry I hope this was the right forum to post this thread in, if it needs to be moved then sorry for the inconvenience!

 

[James0816]

How "full" does you tank look in regards to plants and being able to see through to the back wall? The reason I ask is that you can use Ocean Spray bottles instead. They are smaller than 2l and can fit easier behind tanks.

If you have some nice background plants already, they should hide it pretty well.

I don't believe one canister will do much for you tank. I could be wrong but the canisters are rather small and don't last very long.

As for the check valve, it has a built in "float" (for lack of better terms). When back pressure is received, the float is pushed up against the input opening thus sealing it off. Just a very layman's non technical (a.k.a my) definition.

 

[dundadundun]

this should answer a lot of your questions... http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=231253&highlight=newbie+support+group

feel free to read through and post more questions if you feel the need.

 

[jasonG75]

Hagen Plant Gro CO2 Natural Plant System.. and once I buy it I could buy my own yeast culture mixture so I wouldn't keep buying their overpriced cultures? If I bought this, is there ANY other equipment I would need in regards to CO2 injection for my tank?

If your interested in this system, I can help. I used it in my 55gal (on one side) and saw vast inprovments. I am not using it now, because I have other systems in place. SO it is available, it is easy and it is somewhat sleak.