DIY vs. BRAND CO2

[hondaman]

Hi guys, I have been reading up on the pros and cons of CO2 systems and am thinking of getting one for my 46g.

Now I have been reading all about how to make a CO2 system and was wondering if a DIY system is better, indifferent, or better than a brand system such as the Hagen Plant Grow Natural System with CO2 (petsmart link) which is really not that expensive.

What are your opinions on it?

 

[rrkss]

I use the hagen units (simply because I like the look better than some old coke bottle lying around) with my own yeast mixture. My mix is

3/4 teaspoon of Fleishman's Bread Machine Yeast
1 teaspoon of Baking Soda
Sugar + warm water

The brew lasts for about 2 weeks before it needs to be changed. I use a venturi diffuser instead of the ladder units included with the system and so far, it has been performing a heck of a lot better (the venturi diffuser vs the hagen ladder).

 

[NJ Devils Fan]

The hagen kit is a waste of money imo as you can make an actually effective diffuser and that same thing with the canister it somes with by using a soda bottle. Here is a simple DIY that is very low cost and you will not have to keep purchasing the little hagen packets.

a 2 liter soda bottle
1 1/2 cups of sugar
1/4 teaspoon of yeast
baking soda
airline tube
super glue (or silicon, either will work)


First, fill the soda bottle half way with warm water. Next, add your 1.5 cups of sugar, 1/4 teaspoon of yeast, and pinch of baking soda. Use something like a drill or screwdriver to make a hole about the size of the tube in the bottle cap that will make it fit snug. Put some super glue around the top of the cap to make sure no air leaks from around the hole. Attach the other end of the tube to a diffuser or filter to allow the CO2 to enter the tank effectively.

For an effective diffuser:

Gravel tube made by Python Products or something similar. (part #13-D)
powerhead
aqua Clear filter sponge or something similar.
super glue (or silicon, either will work)


Drill a hole the size of the CO2 tubing into the top part of the gravel tube. Place the CO2 tube in that hole and put super glue around the top to prevent leaks. Put the Aqua Clear sponge in the bottom of the gravel tube. Make sure it fits snuggly. Attach the gravel tube to the powerhead output. That's it, very simple. If you want to put some bio balls in to help break up the CO2 bubbles, go right ahead. They will stay in place because of the sponge. It will look something like this. At the time this picture was taken, I had the powerhead attached to my u.v. sterilizer which hung off the back of the tank. Since then, I have directly connected the powerhead to the diffuser andattached the u.v. to my canister filter.

The diffuser should look something like this:

 

[msouth468]

I went with the store bought one myself. Cost and maintenance overtime is much cheaper than a DIY kit (I got out my old cost estimate college book and had a little fun). And the fact that it looks a lot better than some old soda bottle and home made brew sitting next to, or under, your tank.

 

[NJ Devils Fan]

Hmm, I don't know wbaout that. It depends on what sugar and yeast you get. I buy from a bulk store(Costco) and large bags of yeast and sugar cost about $8 together and last for months.

 

[patoloco]

I made a Coke system and bought a spare Hagen ladder. I used the Jell-o recipe and it has been working fine.

IMO, both systems (Brand and DIY) will work fine if properly maintained, but, of course, the brand system looks a lot better than the coke bottle.

 

[StLouisan]

I'm with Patoloco in his setup, only I use the traditional yeast recipe. I too saw through the Hagen starter/feeder packets scheme. So far, not a bad setup, the only thing is that it's been over a week and the darn CO2 bubbles still stick on the ladder. I've read on here to give it a few days for a coating to grow on it, but it's been over a week. Until that's cleared up I'm getting consistent bubbles from my coke bottle and a bit of entertainment watching the bubbles move up the ladder. I'd say that the Hagen ladder looks much better than a DIY diffuser in the tank; the coke bottle is under the tank out of view. But to each their own

Patoloco, how is the jello recipe doing for you? I've yet to try it out....

 

[plantbrain]

Here's a 2$ model less a 9$ rio 180 powerhead, no sponge needed nor bio balls and no clogging etc. For the full details you can see it on my site (it's under DIY and it's free public domain), a 46 gal will not do well with a DIY Ladder set up.

This is also the smallest DIY design it's about 4" long and the powerhead makes it another 2" longer and the diameter is 2" as well. Unlike the other designs, the outflow uses a 90 elbow so that the water swirls and spirals downward rather than blasting striaght out the bottom, the venturi loop also atomizes the CO2 gas and oproduces a nice mist that really kicks the plants into high gear.

This is the easiest DIY reactor for new folks.

Regards,
Tom Barr

www.BarrReport.com

 

[plantbrain]

Here's the needed items, I did not even need a drill, heating the screwdriver melted the proper sized holes. You can see the viewtainer, these are 1.99$ at Home Depot or OSH or on line at veiwtainer.com etc, you'll note the angled elbow is added to the top and snapped it to hold the powerhead in place.


Regards,
Tom Barr

www.BarrReport.com

 

[mr_fosi]

I am a big fan of DIY b/c I never seem to have the $$ to do what I want.

Several years ago, I did the 2L CO2 reactor with a 700ml drying bottle and I have always had great success with it.

On the converse, a friend of mine bought the hagen unit, but never got enough CO2 out of it to keep many plants in his 20g. He ended up ditching the idea of live plants alltogether.

I don't use bread yeast in my mix, I use champagne yeast that I buy from a wine cellar. It only costs about $0.79 per packet and each packet will do about 6 mixes. Each mix lasts between 1-3 months depending on the amount of sugar, yeast, and ambient temp.