Diy Co2 In Nutrafin System

[jpedersen024]

I've just set up my first attempt with CO2 in my 55 gallon. The downside is it's a larger system, with only a single, little nutrafin bottle and ladder... I'm hoping to grow with it as I learn more...

The first question is how long can I expect it to last before having to clean out the bottle and re-make the solution? I'm using the yeast DIY recipe... not the packets.

Bubbles were bubbling away last night within 20 minutes, but have already noticeably slowed (although still pumping out well..) 24 hours later...

Any help/ advice/ suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[alanchown]

I've just set up my first attempt with CO2 in my 55 gallon. The downside is it's a larger system, with only a single, little nutrafin bottle and ladder... I'm hoping to grow with it as I learn more...

The first question is how long can I expect it to last before having to clean out the bottle and re-make the solution? I'm using the yeast DIY recipe... not the packets.

Bubbles were bubbling away last night within 20 minutes, but have already noticeably slowed (although still pumping out well..) 24 hours later...

Any help/ advice/ suggestions would be appreciated!

I was using 2 Nutrafin units on my 20 gallon tank. The mixture was lasting 5-7 days. So I was refilling a unit every 4 days or so as I only charged one a time to average things out. On a 50 gallon tank I would have thought that presuurised would be the way to go.
I found the main problem with the DIY route was the build up of white gunk on the ladders, which meant I was cleaning them every week too. It got a bit high maintenance.

Alan

 

[MoreCoffee]

I do pretty much the same routine as achown on my 130Ltr tank.
I run 2 Nutrafin units into a single bubble ladder, changing one about every 4 days.
It all seems to work fine.

However as each Nutrafin canister is recommeded for 70Ltrs, I think you'll struggle to get a decent CO2 level
on that size tank using a DIY system. I think you'd need to go pressuriesed.
Although in theory, you could try 4 canisters feeding into 2 diffusers and place one at each end of the tank
to try get a better spread of CO2.

I dont really know if that would work, but if you wanted to test it you could use normal 2Ltr pop bottles instead of the nutrafin canisters. Feed 2 into the bubble ladder and maybe use a wood air block/airstone as a second diffuser ...... That way you've not really wasted much money if it doesnt work !

Q: Are you using the Nutrafin 'activator' and 'stabiliser' sachets ?

If so, you can do the refills much cheaper.
The grandly named 'activator' is in fact bakers yeast and the 'stabiliser' is just plain old bicarbonate of soda. Both available at any supermarket and most corner shops !

I can give you the details of how to mix if you need it !


Mr G
.

 

[cs091]

Has anyone combined wine making and supplying CO2 to a planted tank?

Just a thought!

CS

 

[MoreCoffee]

...................snip...............................
I found the main problem with the DIY route was the build up of white gunk on the ladders, which meant I was cleaning them every week too. It got a bit high maintenance.
Alan

I used to get this 'CO2 gunk' until I introduced a smaller gas exchange bottle into the line. A small (330ml) pop bottle, half filled with water. The tubing from the nutrafins feeds into this small bottle, with the tubing being under the water (bit like a bubble counter) another tube leads from the small bottle (tube out of the water) into the tank (did I explain that right !!) ........ all problems with that gunk disappeared.
Only takes 20 mins to make the exchange bottle. I just change the water in the small bottle one per month.

I still use this type of bottle on one of my small tanks that feeds into a glass ceramic diffuser, as that was starting to get gunked up .... all clear now.

Has anyone combined wine making and supplying CO2 to a planted tank?

Just a thought!

CS

I thought about this a few months ago, but never gave it a try ... mainly becuase I think in order to keep a decent CO2 level in the tank, I'd need to change the homebrew jar (as the fermentation slows) before the wine was ready to drink.

In theory there is no reason why you couldn't do it though


.

 

[cs091]

When you are rechanging a diy CO2 system, do you really need to put more yeast in? Can't you replace 3/4 of the liquid with sugar/water - like you do with a ginger beer plant?

CS

 

[Graeme Edwards]

Ahy up, here we have some one who's into home brews

I dont think its a case of recharging its more about making a new batch.