pressurized CO2 or liquid concentrate?

kooter

kooter

AquaMan
Dec 14, 2003
701
13
18
Mission, BC
What are the benefits, pros or cons of pressurized co2 vs. (for example) Flourish excel liquid co2?
I am debating whether to go pressurized or try the liquid for awhile.
Does the liquid fert play with your pH at all?
 
what size tank do you have???
I don't think excell messes up the ph at all, but it can get really pricey to add to a larger tank. If it's a larger tank I suggest going the pressurized co2 route, it'll cost more setting up but it will save you money in the long run.
Right now I'm trying to use excell on a 90g and it's not working out, I'm spending over $8+ a week, I need to switch to co2 soon.
 
Pro For Pressurized
Constant flow of CO2 for 6+ months
No need to fiddle with it during that time
Provides all necessary nutrients

Cons For Pressurized
Initial startup costs are $170-200
Maybe hard to find welding supply to fill/get CO2 cylinder locally

Pros for Excel
Doesn't degas
Easy to administer
Widely available via locally or online

Cons for Excel
Expensive to administer in a tank greater than 40 gallons
Requires near daily dosing maintenance

-John N.
 
wow, thanks for the quick responses.
I am just nervous about the pressurized unit.
I can get 2L of flourish excel for $23.00.
 
what size tank do you have???



it works out to be approx. 130G, but with substrate and level of water, approx. 125G.
 
For 130 gallon tank, I would recommend a pressurized CO2 system with an inline reactor for CO2 diffusion. You'll be wasting a lot of money on the excel in a short time.

1. Azoo Regulator - drsfostersmith.com ~ $90
2. Aquamedic Reactor 1000 - drsfostersmith.com ~ $70 or a DIY reactor - $20
3. 10lb CO2 cylinder - found locally ~ $70-90

Total Cost: around $200

-John N.
 
It's a good system, but doesn't come with a solenoid so that you can't cut the flow of CO2 at night when the lights are out. This helps save CO2, and less refilling of the cylinder later.

But the regulator will work well, the little reactor that comes might not be as efficient though. I would get the recommended parts above, or instead of a AM1000 reactor, maybe a power vortex reactor like the one at aquabotanic.com

Oh, and Pressurized setups will lower your pH.

-John N.
 
Last edited:
kooter said:
what do you guys think about this setup?

http://www.petsolutions.com/CO2+Pro+System-I-30751070-I-C-13-C-.aspx
Click to expand...

you can order this system with solenoid..the solenoid can be installed inline or on the regulator.

I have the system set up on a 75 I use the paintball system with 20 oz bottles.

it works pretty good.

the paintball bottles are easy to have filled in these parts..you can also set up a CO2 (large) bottle to refill the paintball tanks. I use the paintball system as I don't have room for the larger CO2 tanks.

when setting up the co2 indicator I use a method recomended by an more experience person and use distilled water and set the kH to 4.
 
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