Diy Co2

[yamaross]

Just built a Co2 system with a 2 liter bottle and a power head with the Co2 going in to the impeller to mash up the Co2 . It seems to work great real fine bubbles all over half the tank maybe to good ? the tank is only 70 liters and i do not have a KH tester yet. The question really is has any one over dosed with diy Co2 and harmed the fish?

 

[love_fish]

As long as you dont add too much yeast to your solution, then you should be fine.

 

[yamaross]

I am getting about one bubble per second

 

[love_fish]

Hmm, thats kinda a lot. I get about 1 bubble per 7 seconds. What was your solution that you used?

 

[kenneth_kpe]

love fish is right. 1 bubble per sec with a DIY mix is a lot you might have to replace that mix more often

It all depends on the Co2 requirements of the tank... Im injecting 1 bubble per second (via pressurized) in my tank now, eevrything is ok( 24/7 co2 injection) BUUT this is because im using a Hang on back filter, i have to compensate for the co2 I loose using that filter.

Yes you can overdose Co2, the fish will start gasping for air near the surface if the co2 levels in the aquarium are too high.


hope this helps.

 

[yamaross]

After the first day the fish where a bit slow and gasping a bit. The power head is on the light time clock so it is only on for 10 hours a day .I thought that was worth doing because the tank has very little surface movement. my KH test kit is now ordered. How much dose the diy mix slow down over time also do most of you run diy Co2 all the time or turn off at night?

Thanks

 

[ncjharris]

Interesting post this - I too have just started a DIY CO2 system, and based on what I have read I have been keeping the CO2 on at night too, but running an air pump when the lights are off to displace the CO2 in the water.
I too am getting close to 1 bubble a second, maybe a bit less.
Its been set up for a week and I haven't seen the tank since Tues, so I'll be able to see if there has been any pearling when I get in tonight.

 

[kenneth_kpe]

hmm if the fish start to gasp for air, either make your diffusion method more inefficient or increase surface agitation remember , you still have to take care of your fish properly

 

[ncjharris]

Yes, will do.

For the first couple of days everyone seemed fine - GF been looking after tank when I'm away, and all seems hunky dory from what she says.

 

[Dubby]

I suppose it depends on the size of the bubbles and what diffusing method is used to dissolve the CO2. When I've used a std airstone,I get a rapid burst of small bubbles every couple of minutes, or sometimes there is an almost continuous stream of very tiny bubbles comin out (almost looks like pearling). With a DIY system its extremely difficult to regulate the flow to achieve a constant stream.

 

[yamaross]

Just did a PH test it has moved from 7 before adding Co2 to 6 on the second day oups that is not good!

 

[kenneth_kpe]

I would not worry about the swing too much its just a notch, im reading around that PH swings are not that bad but PH crashes are so whats your co2 level now ?

 

[yamaross]

As soon as my KH test kit arives i will let you know.
I can see a differnce in the plants all ready.

 

[karlp]

Yes, it is possible to harm the fish with DIY CO2 and if your reading has gone from 7ph to 6ph, that's a very dangerous swing for the fish, could be around 90ppm CO2 if your KH is around 3

I think you'd be best off making another batch of DIY mix, but halve the amount of yeast your putting into the mix. In the mean time I'd run an air stone to get the CO2 levels down.

The problem is that the fish's gills have difficulty dissolving CO2 in the water when dissolved CO2 levels are already high, causing rapid breathing and possible asphyxiation.

 

[yamaross]

Fishy Mad that is exactly what i am going to do.
I have pointed the out let of the filter at the surface.
also going to make a smaller bottle and half the diy mix