Jungle CO2 Fizz Factory - any good?

[oscaremmy]

I am setting up my second 10g planted tank at home. I also have a planted 10g tank at work. My first 10g has the Nutrafin Natural Plant System, which is producing a steady supply of CO2 and my plants seem to be thriving there. I am on a limited budget, however, so am looking for cheaper alternatives, but just don't have the time for DIY projects of any kind (so please DON'T suggest a DIY solution unless it can be done in under a half hour). I have several jobs and am a PhD student, so get barely any time to relax as it is!

I was intending to go to PetSmart to buy the API Master Test Kit on rbishop's advice. I note that in addition to the Nutrafin system they offer the Jungle Fizz factory...has anyone any experience of these in small tanks like 10g? If so, what do you think of the system? Does it do any good, or is it a waste of money? What's its CO2 output levels like?

Also, how do I measure CO2 levels in my tanks?

 

[oscaremmy]

anyone?

 

[0live]

I've never used them.. I much prefer the idea of a DIY CO2 setup..

that is over trying to dose CO2.

 

[Spewn]

There's a lot of problems I can see with them, though I've never used them.

First, they fizz; This will cause a lot(perhaps even most) of the CO2 to simply diffuse out at the water's surface.

How long do the tabs last? If they fizz continuously over 24hrs, and you use one every 24hrs, then perhaps this isn't an issue. If they simply fizz like mad until they're gone(more likely), they may at worst spike the CO2 levels at least locally and perhaps cause problems. At best, you'll have your CO2 levels go up a bit, then shortly after go down and stay there until you use another fizz tab.

I wouldn't recommend them, but I haven't ever used them. Sounds more like marketing than useful. Right now I'm using Flourish Excel for extra carbon in my moderate(3.0wpg) 10g. I'll let you know how it goes(whether or not it helps my algae like reported by others) in a copule weeks if you'd like. I'm sure I'll post about it regardless. The 250ml bottle should last me some 3 months.

 

[oscaremmy]

There's a lot of problems I can see with them, though I've never used them.

First, they fizz; This will cause a lot(perhaps even most) of the CO2 to simply diffuse out at the water's surface.

How long do the tabs last? If they fizz continuously over 24hrs, and you use one every 24hrs, then perhaps this isn't an issue. If they simply fizz like mad until they're gone(more likely), they may at worst spike the CO2 levels at least locally and perhaps cause problems. At best, you'll have your CO2 levels go up a bit, then shortly after go down and stay there until you use another fizz tab.

I wouldn't recommend them, but I haven't ever used them. Sounds more like marketing than useful. Right now I'm using Flourish Excel for extra carbon in my moderate(3.0wpg) 10g. I'll let you know how it goes(whether or not it helps my algae like reported by others) in a copule weeks if you'd like. I'm sure I'll post about it regardless. The 250ml bottle should last me some 3 months.

Thanks Spewn: I just found this article online and based on running costs won't be buying the system either :headshake2: http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plants/month.200204/msg00046.html

 

[Greg J]

Get yourself one of these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260222982054

+
2 liter pop bottle (and drill about a 3/16” hole in the lid)
some silicone/aquarium tubing (Pull a few inches of the tubing through the hole in the lid with a pair of pliers.)
Sugar, yeast, and warm water

And you can literally build a co2 system and have it working in a few minutes

 

[daltexdiver]

I have a double bottle set up like this and it works great. Problem is regulating flow which I do with a needle valve I bought on E bay. Other than that, whole thing is made out of odds and ends with some kitchen junk thrown in.

 

[oscaremmy]

Okay...you convinced me! Sounds like no more than a half-hour job...worth a try and cheerfully cheap, too.

 

[golfproinlexky]

Get yourself one of these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260222982054

+
2 liter pop bottle (and drill about a 3/16” hole in the lid)
some silicone/aquarium tubing (Pull a few inches of the tubing through the hole in the lid with a pair of pliers.)
Sugar, yeast, and warm water

And you can literally build a co2 system and have it working in a few minutes

I'm with Greg J....I've had the paintball cannister and it failed, so while I was trying to get it fixed I used a similar system by Red Sea and my plants just exploded with growth. Definitely the way to go if you're on a limited budget. Good luck!

 

[Spewn]

The redsea system will cost ~$45 IIRC. Similar to the Hagen system.

Of the two ways of dissolving the CO2, ladder and pump w/ venturi, which is better? That's basically the difference between the kits I imagine.