Nutrafin CO2 Issues

M

MidnightPyro

AC Members
Jun 21, 2005
210
0
0
I recently invested in a Nutrafin CO2 system as an alternative to the DIY system in order to get things started off on the right foot for the plants and to fight the evil algae beast.

I filled up sugar to the line, adding the stabalizer and activator packet, and added warm water (probably about 81-82 degrees) to the thing. I filled the water up a bit too far, but I could here "sizzling" in the thing, so I mixed it up gently with a spoon and put the lid on as tightly as I could.

So far, it's been about 20 minutes and no bubbles at all. There's some water in the line that's in the tank (tank side of the line). My assumption would be that the gas/pressure will eventually force the water out.

There's no bubbles thus far...did I do anything wrong, or should just wait 24 hours and see how it is?

Thanks!
 
I wasted my money on one of those units. It does take a good 24 hours before it starts working. I finally threw mine away because it just didn't work very well after a coupla months.
Also, when you change the mix...DO IT OUTSIDE!!!!! OMG, that stuff will make an entire house reek. :eek:
 
I don't use CO2 at all now. I don't remember the specifics ,but, there was a question of whether I needed it to start with. My tank is only a 20g, and with my lighting I don't think I did. As far as my plants go, they are growing really well. I had to remove one of my Red Wendtii because it was taking over my tank!
 
I love 'em for small tanks

Give that top an extra 1/4 turn after you think you have it on right. Usually that is the problem.

I think those are great for 10 gallon tanks. Neat and tidy, nearly fool-proof.

I never bothered to stir mine, by the time I'd walk from the kitchen to the tank, the yeast was falling and rising, which is a sign that it is starting to do it's thing.

If the water in the line does not start moving, as gas fills the line, thn either it is the top needing an extra quarter turn or the mix is bad. When you run out of packets, you can use 1/8 teaspoon bread yeast and about 1 teaspoon baking soda (not baking powder) to substitute for the 2 packets.

Be sure to not shake the bottle, or you will get yeast into the line. It may happen anyhow, if you see "snot" growing on the outlet, just wash the lid and tubing in hot water.

If the bottle smells nasty, wash it with hot water each time. That means you got some bacteria started in it. Often it will just smell beer-y.

The next thing is, when it starts making bubbles, they will stick and not roll until the ladder gets a slime layer on it. Just be patient, it will start rollling again later.
 
My plants are growing pretty well, actually...but the Algae is taking over. The anachris is getting a bit lanky too, which I believe is a sign of CO2 deficiency. Just wanted to make sure I didn't kill the yeast or screw something up :P

The Nutrafin CO2 system honestly seems like a good place to start with CO2 if you don't want to mess with DIY CO2...yet...(that'll be next for me) :D

EDIT: I gave the thing another turn, and now it's on about as tight as physically possible I believe...it's been about an hour, and still no sign of anything. I'll definatly do the yeast/baking soda mix too...those packets are expensive anyway. This thing is for a 29 gallon tank, not a 10 gallon...but I hope it'll be a good start anyway until I start some DIY jobby.
 
Last edited:
Hmm, I'm just worried that there's something wrong with the yeast, considering it looks like it's just kinda sitting there idle. Waiting a bit longer can't hurt anything, but the water level is actually moving UP through the tube. That can't be good thing. It isn't in the CO2 chamber thing yet, but this is a bit concerning, considering I would've thought it should be moving the other way as the CO2 thing puts pressure on the tube. :idea2:
 
Last edited:
Maybe I;m just naive, but for planted tanks, couldn't you just get a straw and blow into the tank a few times a week?
 
MidnightPyro said:
Waiting a bit longer can't hurt anything, but the water level is actually moving UP through the tube. That can't be good thing.
Click to expand...

CO2 is so easily absorbed into water that if the tube does contain CO2 it will travel all the way up the line. I saw a post regarding an experiment done with an airline 5' long held vertical, full of CO2, end in water... the water traveled up all 5' vertical height.

Wait until morning before you call it no good. It appeared to me that a new bottle somehow inhibits the first mix used in it, maybe some slight redsidue from manufacturing or something. The second one is much better. Also, be sure to not add too much water, for the yeast does actually need air for a short while. That is why I always wait to see the yeast falling and then rising before I close it up.
 
The yeast definatly fell, and rised and it looked a bit more "inflated" and saturated than it did before, then I closed it
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom