Co2 Equipment Advice

[SuperColey1]

I am looking at getting a ceramic glass diffuser and a bubble counter for my 125Ltr tank. I can't go pressurised for space and safety reasons (young curious babies) and am therefore looking to get a diffuser that is going to diffuse the most co2 that I possibly can. I also want to get a bubble counter so I check the rate at which the bubbles are going (and to stop the diffuser getting so gunked up)

It will be connected to 2 Nutrafin kits with the DIY mixture inside.

Does anyone have any suggestions on the best diffuser of the £8-£15 range to use with these bottles (within reason, I don't want to paying £20 for one)

Also a bubble counter that would work well with this setup (I assume they all work the same, but I might be surprised)

The reason I ask about the glass and ceramic is that I have been looking on AquaEssentials and see that the diffusers are made for different size tanks, and also that some of them require a lot more pressure to built up with the yeast kits, meaning more yeast in the mixture

 

[leafs]

I have a 29 gallon tank and I'm using 2 - 2 liter bottles hooked up together. I was using the Nutrafin ladder, but found that it had to be cleaned every week for the bubbles to flow properly. I'm now using a Spio III c02 glass diffuser from E-bay. I was concerned about not having enough pressure for the co2 to go through, but it's working great. I haven't had to clean it very often either. It was only about $10 Canadian. I don't use a bubble counter, so I couldn't help you with that. I change one bottle every week, so I know that the C02 is fairly consistent.

 

[Themuleous]

Its not a huge tank (if I remember rightly) so I would probably opt for one of these with this bubble counter. Its the system I have in my nano although I've got pressurised. If the diffuser is placed near the outlet of the filter that'll help diffusion, as will having the diffuser as deep as possible in tank, which gives the bubbles maximum time to diffuse as they rise up through the water

Sam

 

[SuperColey1]

Sam

Its a 125Ltr tank so a little bigger than you remember. lol I was looking at the one on aqua essentials for this size tank, but then I noticed that another one was on about yeast bootles having to be higher than normal yeast to get the pressure high enough.

 

[grass569]

Sam

Its a 125Ltr tank so a little bigger than you remember. lol I was looking at the one on aqua essentials for this size tank, but then I noticed that another one was on about yeast bootles having to be higher than normal yeast to get the pressure high enough.

Sorry to jump in on this thread but it is related, yesterday i saw a Co2 Reactor/diffuser? that looked a bit like a mushroom it had no pipwork and had tablets inside it that released co2 for about 35 days , he said it was German. Does anyone know what it was called and if they are any good. I have a 40g / 180l tank that i have just put my first plants in and dont want to put too many in but was wondering if i needed to run C02. My lighting is approx 1.5WPG
Thanks

 

[John59]

I do not see the point of using bubble counter on nutrafin as the production of Co2 can not be controlled

 

[SuperColey1]

I do not see the point of using bubble counter on nutrafin as the production of Co2 can not be controlled

because I want to see how many bubbles per min are being produced, while still having the diffuser hidden from view!

 

[John59]

I do not mean to argue but you will have the bubble counter in view and if it is outside in the reach of children
just trying to save you some money.

 

[SuperColey1]

I do not mean to argue but you will have the bubble counter in view and if it is outside in the reach of children
just trying to save you some money.

The CO2 cans are on top of the hood, the airline hangs down the back of the tank, between the glass and the wall.
The bubble counter will be at the point just before the airline goes in through the hood.
The babies cannot reach that high let alone get behind the tank, although I can see through this gap to count bubbles

If I don't get a bubblew counter, I will have to put my ladder or ceramic diffuser in a viewable place. I am trying to weigh my children's tampering up with the cosmetics of my tank.

The only thing that my 21 month old tampers with at the moment until he gets told off is the Algarde control box, where he sometimes turns the filter off, and I have to keep checking, much the same as he turns the storage heaters on in the summer and off in the winter If theres a switch, dial or anything he can play with his hands are drawn in like magnets, but as yet he hasn't tried to get in the 2" gap behind the tank.

 

[John59]

I give up you win

Second thought:You remind me of my son now 11

 

[SuperColey1]

I give up you win

I'm not meaning to refuse advice, it's just that I don't want a CO2 cannister with a load of dials and gauges there, because I know that will be the newest toy on the block once spotted.

I've given up the idea of upgrading to very high light and am looking now for somewhere about the 2-2.5WPG mark so that hopefully the CO2 from an overstocked tank and 2 Nutrafins will suffice, If not I'll have to knock the lights down (they are currently 1.24WPG approx)

 

[Themuleous]

If I can add that having a bubble counter also stops the white fluff you get with yeast kits growing on the diffuser, it'll grow in the bubble counter but that's better than being in the tank.

Sam

 

[SuperColey1]

I give up you win
Second thought:You remind me of my son now 11

No need to be like that, I am not refusing advice, I just don't want a cannister with the regulator on the top, and am asking advice on what I can do with 2 Nutrafin kits.

I think the other people on here know that I listen to advice, but on this point I can't really go the pressurised route unless I start drilling holes in my walls (I am a tenant so can't do this) to hang the cannister out of reach.

I have taken a lot of advice from these forums, i.e. on needing more light, on getting the CO2 in the first place, on using ferts, reflectors, spray bar, UV steriliser sand for my plecs, substrate underneath fast growing stem plants, so I don't think you can accuse me of trying to save money because this lot (which I bought in the last 4 weeks) cost me circa £120, and I still have to pay out for another Nutrafin kit, diffuser, bubble counter, gang valve, higher lighting yet.

Thanks for your help Sam, as always good info (Sam wants me to go pressurised to and use EI)

I think I'll probs go for the beetle diffuser from AE when they get more stock, and see if they have a bubble counter as well, cos I don't want to be clening the new diffuser like I do the ladder every week.

 

[John59]

You got me all wrong when i said you remind me of my son meant that your kid reminds me of my son now 11 when he was at your kids age he was doing the same and now he still likes to play around with dials, computers, and everything that has buttons on it
Sorry if i caused any inconveniences

 

[SNAIL]

Plants can benefit from CO2 regardless of it being injected from a pressurized system or a DIY,and regardless of tank size. The fish give off CO2 as well, something I've noticed people forget to consider. In the real world, CO2 levels are much lower than your tanks. Too much tech dependency is a bad thing. I use DIY CO2 and pressurized CO2 but moderately and sparingly. I depend on nature to do most of the job. Have done this from the start and never had any problems that I see most of you are having.

SuperColey1, your idea on the bubble counter is rightfully justifiable. Each person has different views and needs so do as you please. I may not be much of help due to the fact that I am in Japan. I do however would suggest CO2 glass diffuser with the bubble counter built into it. This will all go straight into your tank so there won't be anything hanging outside ( for safety reasons as you stated and went through that with my son as well ) except the hose and your DIY bottles. Price range are within your reach. ADA has this. As for other manufacturer’s, I don't know.

The slimy substance issue is due to the sodium that you add in the mixture which is supposedly acting as a buffer to extend the yeasts life. According to the article I read and have tried, by not adding sodium, the slimy substance disappeared. If you are adding sodium, this may be the cause. If not, there must be something else giving you problems. DIY CO2 is not an exact science. Water conditions, temp, and other things contribute to how the mixture will work, last and react like the slimy substance.

All the best !