Co2 Pump

[fatheadminnow]

Well I am going to be getting a lot of plants for my 29 gallon(not adding them all at once of course). I want to have it fully planted with lights at 2WPG.

I need to know where to start, or even if I need a CO2 pump?

If I need one, where would I get the supplies, and how do you test for CO2 in the water?

I basically just need help on where to start with setting up a CO2 pump.
Thanks
-FHM

 

[three-fingers]

With 2WPG, you will most likely need CO2 unless you plan on blocking some of that light with floating plants.

The best way to inject CO2 is to buy a pressurised unit, but if it's a small tank DIY yeast based CO2 injection could be an option (this requires more maintenance than the pressurised kits though).

Most of the time, the safest way to go down the high-tech route is by dosing EI, which basically means using a few different types of fertiliser 3 times a week, and to save money and give more flexibility, these ferts are usually home made using powders.

Also, the modern way to go is a rated 10x turnover.

A lot of pruning will likely also be required.

You can have a tank heavily planted with thriving plants without going down the high-tech route. These tanks are lower maintenance too.

All depends on what you want, a lot of it is about what plant species you want to have, and how fast you want them to grow.

If you decide for sure which method you want to go by, then list all the tank stats, plans for stocking, and which plants you want to grow, then people can give you recommendation on what equipment to get and how to set it up .

 

[fatheadminnow]

With 2WPG, you will most likely need CO2 unless you plan on blocking some of that light with floating plants.

The best way to inject CO2 is to buy a pressurised unit, but if it's a small tank DIY yeast based CO2 injection could be an option (this requires more maintenance than the pressurised kits though).

Most of the time, the safest way to go down the high-tech route is by dosing EI, which basically means using a few different types of fertiliser 3 times a week, and to save money and give more flexibility, these ferts are usually home made using powders.

Also, the modern way to go is a rated 10x turnover.

A lot of pruning will likely also be required.

You can have a tank heavily planted with thriving plants without going down the high-tech route. These tanks are lower maintenance too.

All depends on what you want, a lot of it is about what plant species you want to have, and how fast you want them to grow.

If you decide for sure which method you want to go by, then list all the tank stats, plans for stocking, and which plants you want to grow, then people can give you recommendation on what equipment to get and how to set it up .

Okay, thanks for the reply!

-FHM

 

[OldMan47]

On a 29 with only 2 WPG you could get away with a yeast based DIY setup. If you start pushing higher light with artificial fertilizers, you may well push yourself into needing pressurized CO2. Pressurized is basically a gas bottle of CO2 with a pressure regulator on it going to some kind of throttling device and finally into the tank. In my case, the regulator and micro-valve came with a built in solenoid valve so I could easily shut everything off at night. I used a misting type air stone at first to bring the CO2 into the water. The bottle I got at a gas supplier. A DIY amounts to a soda bottle with sugar water in it and a little yeast. The yeast produces CO2 while also converting the sugar first to alcohol and finally to vinegar. Tubing from the bottle goes into the tank and is bubbled through the water using any of a number of devices.
The best way to get details on DIY or pressurized is to go to the planted tank section like I did a few months ago and read, read, read.

 

[fatheadminnow]

On a 29 with only 2 WPG you could get away with a yeast based DIY setup. If you start pushing higher light with artificial fertilizers, you may well push yourself into needing pressurized CO2. Pressurized is basically a gas bottle of CO2 with a pressure regulator on it going to some kind of throttling device and finally into the tank. In my case, the regulator and micro-valve came with a built in solenoid valve so I could easily shut everything off at night. I used a misting type air stone at first to bring the CO2 into the water. The bottle I got at a gas supplier. A DIY amounts to a soda bottle with sugar water in it and a little yeast. The yeast produces CO2 while also converting the sugar first to alcohol and finally to vinegar. Tubing from the bottle goes into the tank and is bubbled through the water using any of a number of devices.
The best way to get details on DIY or pressurized is to go to the planted tank section like I did a few months ago and read, read, read.

The DIY sounds really neat!

I love making stuff and hands on, as I am currently going to school for Mechanical Engineer, and I think I might look into the yeast CO2 setup.

How long will it take for the sugar and yeast to start producing CO2? And could I put some sort of regulator in line with it?

Going to read that one section now...Thanks again!
-FHM

 

[three-fingers]

How long will it take for the sugar and yeast to start producing CO2? And could I put some sort of regulator in line with it?

Going to read that one section now...Thanks again!
-FHM

The yeast starts producing CO2 almost immediately after it's set up, but it can take a few hours (up to 24 depending on the temperature IME) for it to produce enough to fill the bottle, make it though the airline and though the diffuser (ceramic is most efficient IMO) into the tank.

You could add a regulator if you wanted, for DIY one of those airline regulators for air pumps would probably do, but if it actually worked you could be at risk of the pop bottle exploding and making a mess.

Generally controlling the CO2 on DIY kits is done by changing the yeast:sugar ratio. Read this thread: [URL="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=164548"]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=164548[/URL]. The Nutrafin CO2 kit is basically just a small DIY kit.
Google DIY CO2 to see various guides on how other people have done it .

Measuring the CO2 is done most accurately using a drop checker, this is a good read: [URL="http/www.ukaps.org/drop-checker.htm"]http/www.ukaps.org/drop-checker.htm[/URL]. You can make 4dkH solution quite easily with bicarbonate of soda

Remember, injecting CO2 is worthless without giving the plants other nutrients.
You'll want to give this thread on EI a read too: [URL="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=104737"]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=104737[/URL].

You can use Seachem fertilisers (Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphate and Flourish/Trace) instead of making your own too.

 

[fatheadminnow]

How long will it take for the sugar and yeast to start producing CO2? And could I put some sort of regulator in line with it?

Going to read that one section now...Thanks again!
-FHM

The yeast starts producing CO2 almost immediately after it's set up, but it can take a few hours (up to 24 depending on the temperature IME) for it to produce enough to fill the bottle, make it though the airline and though the diffuser (ceramic is most efficient IMO) into the tank.

You could add a regulator if you wanted, for DIY one of those airline regulators for air pumps would probably do, but if it actually worked you could be at risk of the pop bottle exploding and making a mess.

Generally controlling the CO2 on DIY kits is done by changing the yeast:sugar ratio. Read this thread: <a href="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=164548" target="_blank">http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=164548</a>. The Nutrafin CO2 kit is basically just a small DIY kit.
Google DIY CO2 to see various guides on how other people have done it .

Measuring the CO2 is done most accurately using a drop checker, this is a good read: <a href="http/www.ukaps.org/drop-checker.htm" target="_blank">http/www.ukaps.org/drop-checker.htm</a>. You can make 4dkH solution quite easily with bicarbonate of soda

Remember, injecting CO2 is worthless without giving the plants other nutrients.
You'll want to give this thread on EI a read too: <a href="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=104737" target="_blank">http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=104737</a>.

You can use Seachem fertilisers (Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphate and Flourish/Trace) instead of making your own too.

Wow!

Thanks for that info.

I think I am going to be making a home-made Co2 kit using pressurized Co2 from my paintball tank. The tank can hold 20 ounces of Co2, and costs about 3-4 (US) dollars to fill.

I can pick up fittings/regulators form my local hardware shop.

Do you think this would be a good idea?

If so, how long would 20 ounces of Co2 last if ran only during the day with 1 bubble every 2 seconds?

Thanks again!
-FHM

 

[three-fingers]

Wow!

Thanks for that info.

I think I am going to be making a home-made Co2 kit using pressurized Co2 from my paintball tank. The tank can hold 20 ounces of Co2, and costs about 3-4 (US) dollars to fill.

I can pick up fittings/regulators form my local hardware shop.

Do you think this would be a good idea?

If so, how long would 20 ounces of Co2 last if ran only during the day with 1 bubble every 2 seconds?

Thanks again!
-FHM

I think it would be a very good idea .

That would avoid CO2 fluctuations, which has been cited as a cause for algae.

TBH, I have no idea how long it would last (metric system over here, and my bubble counter is empty!).

However, what I would say is don't worry too much about counting bubbles, as different bubble counters give different sizes of bubbles, and different tanks need different bubble count rates. Most important thing is trying to estimate how much CO2 is actually in the water, and the best method is using a drop checker .

If your going pressurised, you will want to find a decent priced needle valve.

The minimum equipment you will need is a pressure regulator, needle valve, check valve, diffuser (or run the CO2 into a filter/power head intake at your own risk) and a drop checker.

You could go without a drop checker and use a bubble counter instead but that would require judging how much CO2 is in the tank by the fishes reactions, which is far too risky IME.

You cn also use a solenoid on a cheap plug timer (with the light on one too) which will save money in the long run on CO2 refills.

Best to find most of these things is eBay .

 

[fatheadminnow]

Wow!

Thanks for that info.

I think I am going to be making a home-made Co2 kit using pressurized Co2 from my paintball tank. The tank can hold 20 ounces of Co2, and costs about 3-4 (US) dollars to fill.

I can pick up fittings/regulators form my local hardware shop.

Do you think this would be a good idea?

If so, how long would 20 ounces of Co2 last if ran only during the day with 1 bubble every 2 seconds?

Thanks again!
-FHM

I think it would be a very good idea .

That would avoid CO2 fluctuations, which has been cited as a cause for algae.

TBH, I have no idea how long it would last (metric system over here, and my bubble counter is empty!).

However, what I would say is don't worry too much about counting bubbles, as different bubble counters give different sizes of bubbles, and different tanks need different bubble count rates. Most important thing is trying to estimate how much CO2 is actually in the water, and the best method is using a drop checker .

If your going pressurised, you will want to find a decent priced needle valve.

The minimum equipment you will need is a pressure regulator, needle valve, check valve, diffuser (or run the CO2 into a filter/power head intake at your own risk) and a drop checker.

You could go without a drop checker and use a bubble counter instead but that would require judging how much CO2 is in the tank by the fishes reactions, which is far too risky IME.

You cn also use a solenoid on a cheap plug timer (with the light on one too) which will save money in the long run on CO2 refills.

Best to find most of these things is eBay .

Okay...I will have to check into those items!

Thanks again for your help!
-FHM

 

[Mikaila31]

I thought I would just reply to your PM here.

I have two pressurized co2 setups. A standard 5lb tank on my 55gal and a 20oz paintball tank on my 20 gallon. The 20 gallon has 2.75 wpg, and I run the co2 at 1-2 bps. I'm guessing, the 20oz tank lasts 2-3 months. I have a regulator made by Red Sea, if you can make a paintball regulator I would go for it. I haven't had any trouble with my regulator, solenoid, or needle valve, which were all made by Red Sea. They just are not worth the price, compared to what a full sized setup would cost. Also you can always upgrade to a larger fish tank with a full sized system, a paintball system is kinda limited on how big a tank you can run it on. Also I don't like the quality of my paintball setup. Everything is covered in plastic! Even the original bubble counter a diffuser were plastic. I always watch how hard I screw the tank on, cuz I don't want to crack the plastic casing. My other regulator on the other hand is all out of brass and I can't get the 5lb tank on without a wrench.

FHM check out Aquatic Magic on ebay. It's where I get my glass and ceramic parts. They are a great seller, it takes a while to get the stuff. I've had things arrive broken before, but a quick pic and they reship what ever broke for you at no cost. He has some cool plants too, but caution on some of the exotic ones as not all are aquatic.

I suggest checking out the following ebay items:

250379806356 -I would suggest getting 3 of these. Accidents do happen and these things can break. It helps to have a backup, especially when they are so cheap. IMO these would be fine on a 29 gallon tank. One has no trouble on my 20 gallon.

250305632412 - only one of these. I don't like the weird check valve the come with though, I suggest using plastic ones from the LFS. Its best to have a check valve before and after the bubble counter.

250325580186 - drop checker for measuring co2. Works great as is!

250306596599 - co2 proof tubing

250306190397 - needle valve (I've never tried this product)

Thats about $37. IDK about shipping prices, but for my experience its probably going to be $20-30 as well. Though all in all, that is still fairly cheap.

 

[fatheadminnow]

I thought I would just reply to your PM here.

I have two pressurized co2 setups. A standard 5lb tank on my 55gal and a 20oz paintball tank on my 20 gallon. The 20 gallon has 2.75 wpg, and I run the co2 at 1-2 bps. I'm guessing, the 20oz tank lasts 2-3 months. I have a regulator made by Red Sea, if you can make a paintball regulator I would go for it. I haven't had any trouble with my regulator, solenoid, or needle valve, which were all made by Red Sea. They just are not worth the price, compared to what a full sized setup would cost. Also you can always upgrade to a larger fish tank with a full sized system, a paintball system is kinda limited on how big a tank you can run it on. Also I don't like the quality of my paintball setup. Everything is covered in plastic! Even the original bubble counter a diffuser were plastic. I always watch how hard I screw the tank on, cuz I don't want to crack the plastic casing. My other regulator on the other hand is all out of brass and I can't get the 5lb tank on without a wrench.

FHM check out Aquatic Magic on ebay. It's where I get my glass and ceramic parts. They are a great seller, it takes a while to get the stuff. I've had things arrive broken before, but a quick pic and they reship what ever broke for you at no cost. He has some cool plants too, but caution on some of the exotic ones as not all are aquatic.

I suggest checking out the following ebay items:

250379806356 -I would suggest getting 3 of these. Accidents do happen and these things can break. It helps to have a backup, especially when they are so cheap. IMO these would be fine on a 29 gallon tank. One has no trouble on my 20 gallon.

250305632412 - only one of these. I don't like the weird check valve the come with though, I suggest using plastic ones from the LFS. Its best to have a check valve before and after the bubble counter.

250325580186 - drop checker for measuring co2. Works great as is!

250306596599 - co2 proof tubing

250306190397 - needle valve (I've never tried this product)

Thats about $37. IDK about shipping prices, but for my experience its probably going to be $20-30 as well. Though all in all, that is still fairly cheap.

Thanks for the reply...it really helped!
Couple questions...
That last part you listed...can the Co2 paintball tank screw into that part?
Can you get any of these parts locally?
If not that is okay but...I was wondering if you cold take a picture of your paintball setup? Mainly the part where the regulator and tank is...how that is all setup?

Thanks again for the help!
-FHM

 

[three-fingers]

That last part you listed...can the Co2 paintball tank screw into that part?

I have that exact needle valve from Aquatic Magic, it fit's in-line with the CO2 tubing, and it pretty accurate (I got it to use instead of the one that was built into my regulator, which wasn't accurate enough).

 

[Mikaila31]

yeah here are pics of my regulator. The regulator is the part with the two gauges on it. The solenoid is attached directly to the regulator, its the part that is sticking off the front with the cord and co2 line coming out of it. It's not in the picture, but after the solenoid there is a needle valve, check valve, bubble counter, then the diffuser.

You can get a few of those parts locally, but they are crazy expensive. A glass diffuser runs around $20 and needle valves run $30-40ish.