Basic Nutrafin Co2 Dispensers...

[chrismr]

Have now moved to 70 gallon tank from 30 gallon tank... but still only have one of these co2 dispensers.

I remember reading somewhere for a tank my size I would probably need more than one. But I don't really want to plaster these things all over the inside of the tank.

So, is there any simple way to make this produce more co2? Maybe by doubling the amount of sugar? Adding 2 of the nutrafin activator/stabiliser packets?

 

[alanchown]

Have now moved to 70 gallon tank from 30 gallon tank... but still only have one of these co2 dispensers.

I remember reading somewhere for a tank my size I would probably need more than one. But I don't really want to plaster these things all over the inside of the tank.

So, is there any simple way to make this produce more co2? Maybe by doubling the amount of sugar? Adding 2 of the nutrafin activator/stabiliser packets?

You can tee two of them in together with non-return valves. I would have thought that you would be able to hide them in a 70 gallon tank though-mine don't seem too bad in a 20 gallon.

Alan

 

[craynerd]

Hi mate,

I`m a nooby but have already tried to do what you are asking.

Firstly - you say add two of the nutrafin packets which make me presume you are using the offical mix. Well for starters if u use your own DIY mix you`ll get plenty more CO2 than the official stuff gives you. The mix i use originates from jimboo (i think). Basically, add sugar to the regular mark, then add 1/2 teaspoon of bread baking yeast (i use Allisons) to a mug of warm water and mix. Then add the yeast/water mix to the sugar and add 1 tablespoon of baking powder (bicarbonate of soda) which acts as the nutriliser. It works pretty well, i`m in a 20Gallon and getting 25ppm at present.

Now - you can add both more yeast and more sugar than stated above (i`m actually in the process of trying to work out which on is the initial limiting factor then i dont have to add more of both!) Two problems i have found:
1) The mix runs out too quick and you end up changing it every 4-5 days instead of the normal 7, which is a pain in the bum after a while.
2) You end up with a yeast sess pit in your tank! - i.e the yeast mix bubbles so vigourasly that it goes down the tube and into the tank. This has happened to me, luckly i stopped it before anything really bad happened but it wasn`t fun! The way you can get over this is to modify the nutrafin kit to give you a sump/bottle in between for which liquid can run before it gets to your tank! Very neat, but even with the addaption, its not something you want to be relying on.

Hope that helps.

Finally, you also said you dont want ""to plaster these things all over your tank) by that i presume you mean the diffusers? I have been told!!, never tried it myself, that you can run two nutrafin systems into the one diffuser. NOW taking that a step further it seems logical to think that surely u just need to make your own DIY bottle full of mix and then get the nutrafin CO2 final cable adapter thing that actually fits into the diffuser, run it from your DIY bottle and plug it into the diffuser! Seems quite a simple idea...you`d have to just check again if that would work! But if your not going to use the diffuser, £20 seems a lot to pay for a empty 1 L bottle with a pipe coming from the top!


Good luck
Chris

 

[Themuleous]

If you've got a 70g tank you're definately going to need more than one yeast type CO2 system! Id say you'll need more like 4 or 5! The nutrafin ones are really only for tanks up to 70lt, and I make yours 300ish (based on 70 UK gallons, correct me if im wrong). If you have the money get a pressurised system. If you want to achieve 30ppm CO2 then you are forever going to be changing the CO2 mixes, especailly if you use a DIY mix as they only last a week or so. How do you fancy changing 5 bottles? You could do one per day I guess!

I know of people who have run 2 units into one diffuser but never 5, although I guess it should be possible, just have a big long line of them running into a single hose to the diffuser. That said the diffuser would probably become very inefficient with that much CO2 following through it, so you'll need two of them as well I would have thoguht.

Not sure this is what you wanted to hear, but if you want a fully planted tank, with lots of lush growth the 30ppm CO2 is a must and I doubt you'll get that with yeast type CO2.

Sam

 

[craynerd]

Looks like your going pressurised!

 

[chrismr]

Thanks for all the replies...

The tank is about 270 litres, according to the juwel site.

I realise it will take a fair bit more than the current single nutrafin dispenser. According to the instructions, it only needs to be refilled about once a month... is this correct?

If DIY options need refilling once, or more than once, a week I will more than likely stick with the nutrafin stuff. The other hald works in a LFS, so it is not expensive, and easy to get hold of.

However I can not afford the fancy CO2 injection systems. So I guess my options are to add more nutrafin dispensers.... or.... add more nutrafin dispensers.... maybe 3??

Craynerd: how long does the DIY mix you make last?

 

[craynerd]

Around 8-10 days BUT i change it every 7 so that it maintains a constant concentration of CO2 in the water.

The nutrafin stuff does last a month you are correct, but in a 270l tank you may as well not have it in!!! DIY would be better but still, as you have heard is not good enough!

I would at least consider another unit with DIY mix running into the same dispenser, but as Sam has said above, it still wont give you enough CO2!

If DIY options need refilling once, or more than once, a week I will more than likely stick with the nutrafin stuff.

YES it does need refling more often but therefore gives off more CO2 and hence will give you a higher CO2 concentration. Which is what you need.....


As i have said..my DIY mix gives my 72 litre tank -20-25ppm (which i need to up to 30ppm and therefore am considering another unit myself!!!)

With the nutrafin mix, which i only had on for about 4 days, i had a max of 10-15ppm!

you have a 270 liter tank!

Good luck

Chris

 

[chrismr]

Oh poo... guess I am going to have to start saving...

Think all my plants will be ok in the mean time. They were growing really well in the 120 litre tank I had them in...

It is only a week since moved them, so too early to tell by visual means if they are not doing as well.

That is with the exception of the vallis. thats is still doing well.

Edit: hard to tell, but with all those exclamations it feel slike you are shouting at me... I am not ignoring you here, but trying to get my head around the usefulness of the yeast based systems in a tank my size. I am getting the impression its a waste of time. I know little to nothing about co2 in aquariums, so still got a lot to learn.

 

[craynerd]

shouting, hell no! THIS WOULD BE SHOUTING!

D00d i`m a nooby myself, i am certainly not shouting neither undermining your questions! I`m an entusiastic person and my ! ! are just renforcing my posts....i suppose gramtically they are not in the correct places!

Fire away buddy, i`m probably not even qualified to give you the answerd i am doing....very many SKILLED people in here....they will post tho if anything is said wrong to you!

Good luck

Chris

 

[chrismr]

Cool. Thanks. Maybe I am just a sensitive and moody old bugger in need of sleep

I mean who in their right minds gets up at 6:30 on a saturday? (excluding those who work of course)

 

[craynerd]

lol, glad that is cleared up, only been on the forum a month or so, wouldnt like to start offending people!!!

Rightyo, anyways, i`m off now for a camping trip!

See you soon!
Chris

 

[Themuleous]

I think you could use yeast based systems to get the CO2 you need, but with bigger tanks people to find it just takes so much extra work that they bite the bullet and get pressurised, save themselves hrs each week. I got one for my 20lt nano! Yes I am THAT lazy!

To be honest, if you were to get say 4 more nutrafin units at 20quid (this seems to be the standard LFS price) thats 80quid right there, I got my pressurised CO2 kit off ebay for under 60quid. If you do decide to 'go pressurised' then ebay is the way forward, all you need is a regulator and cylinder.


Without wishing to start a price war, I found these that you might find interesting

Cylinder here - this will prob go for 20-25 quid.

A complete system - not sure on the price of this and I dont know any shops that refill these types of cylinders.

You can get new regulators from here the deltec one is only 53quid.

Hope this helps, just keep an eye on ebay this sort of thing is always being sold. You might jsut ahve to be patient and get the parts at different times.

Sam

 

[chrismr]

Will save up until I can afford a complete system...