Diy Co2 On Larger Tanks..?

[KittyKat]

On the one hand half the people here are shouting "no!" for DIY CO[sub]2[/sub] in anything over 10 gallons and on the other hand, the other half are going "yes, yes, yes!" regardless of size. So what is the consensus? Is it worth it? What is the success rate? What are the visible problems? Civilised and productive discussion, please!

 

[StandbySetting]

Having done it on a 16 gallon tank recently I wouldn't recommend it, formulating a solution with the correct quantities involves a lot of trial and error, plus the connecting and disconnecting in the morning and night, if you forget you could kill your fish. Drop checkers should be used, in my opinion I wouldn't ever bother again on any tank, it's unstable, CO[sub]2[/sub] output drops off over a week and output is affected by temperature as well. I had minor success in my latest scape, everything was growing fine, CO[sub]2[/sub] at 30Mg L[sup]-1[/sup], the only problem I had was Cyanobacteria, which I can put down to the unstable CO[sub]2[/sub], once I decommissioned my DIY unit it cleared up.

 

[ian]

Civilised and productive discussion, please!

and what else do we do in the planted?


My experience with DIY is...that i ran it on my 190ltr (only 2 litre bottle)and didn't notice a thing. There was not much growth. There wasn't much algae either. Some BBA, which i can put down to the unstable C02. As we know, Supercoley's experiment went OK. That was on a 125ltr. I used it on a 5g and it worked perfectly, it did it's job and i was happy. I wouldn't be happy with it on anything over 10-15g. It's to much of a pain, changing the bottles every few days. I can also do without the bba as well.

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Ian didnt I see you mention its ok to leave it on 24/7 also?

 

[lljdma06]

I ran DIY CO2 in this tank for from Oct 2006 to Sept. 2007. Then I pulled an "Andy". Ditched CO2 in an well-established tank. Though I did it way before he did.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/160962-lljs-36g-journal/

Looking at the quality of growth, I would say it was successful, despite not using dropcheckers or an efficient diffusor. Just three Nutrafin canisters changed on alternating days. Left it on 24/7 never really gassed anyfish, though knowing what I know now about CO2 sensitivity and some species, I think that's what killed the Brochis and the big corydoras I had in this tank. The cherry barbs were stunning. Did 50% waterchanges, I think, but this scape was old.

I'm not saying it would be easy, but it's certainly, IMO, possible.

Liz

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

I didn't see this post, when I posted my thread, Ok. I read through coley's first 5 pages, now I'm thinking about doing a DIY CO2 kit on my 180ish litre tank. The reasons being I have quite alot of light. Now, is it feasible to put a DIY set up in this tank? I was thinking of using 3 bottles as anything less wouldn't be enouph.

I can't afford to get a pressurised CO2 kit for this tank as I will be looking at somewhere of £150-200.

 

[KkAaNnEe]

How come people always use a 2 litre bottle? Cant you use a Gallon Bottle and it will last longer?

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

I read the thread, and you need it to be consistent, a gallon bottle surely won't be as consistent, and also the amount of CO2 created will go up and then back down once the yeast has been used/eaten by the alcohol.

So using 3 bottles gives better consistency, which is what you want

 

[StandbySetting]

You can use any bottle you wish, but I would recommend 2 litres of bottle (up to the first line on the bottle with Sugar and about a tsp of yeast) per 60 Litres, that's what I have found to work.

If you're using it on a high tech set up where you want levels of 30 Mg L[sup]-1[/sup] during your photoperiod then you'll need to turn the unit off at night, or disconnect it rather, and reconnect it in the morning. I'd always recommend measuring CO[sub]2[/sub] concentrations with a drop checker.

 

[lljdma06]

I recommend dropcheckers too, but haha that scape of mine was so old that they weren't mainstream, at least here, yet.

There is always learning in this hobby.

Liz

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

So if I couldn't reach the recommended 30ppm ish of CO2, would it make a difference? Is it worth trying and to see what results I get?

 

[ian]

30ppm's is just a guide, as above, a drop checker will give you better say on how well the C02 is being dispersed around the tank. As you have stated above, it's all about the consistency, you are less likely to see certain algaes if you can manage to keep the C02 consistent.

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

Cool. I may give this a go, it can't make it any worse can it? If so I will fix it by taking it out and go dark for a few days

Thanks all, and sorry to hijack kitty

 

[RadaR]

Cool. I may give this a go, it can't make it any worse can it?

Yes it can. Fluctuating CO2 levels can give rise to many types of algae. Mostly BBA. If I remember correctly, you've got some serious high light over the 180litre.

 

[lljdma06]

Cool. I may give this a go, it can't make it any worse can it?

Yes it can. Fluctuating CO2 levels can give rise to many types of algae. Mostly BBA. If I remember correctly, you've got some serious high light over the 180litre.

Agreed, what was the lighting in your tank? I had a 65W CF bulb. The fixture has two, but I only ran one bulb, as they had separate switches. Plenty of light, but not crazy light.