How Effective Are They?

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Are CO2 Bio-Generators such as these effective? Are they better than DIY CO2?

 

[three-fingers]

It's the same as DIY CO2, except with convenience of being purchased in a box pre-assembled.

As to if its better than DIY, that depends on which design you were going to make and if you were going to do it properly .

DIY is certainly cheaper.

 

[SuperColey1]

In general when you buy these 'pre-assembled' fermentation kits you are buying a DIY kit.

They try to say their ingredients last for 'x' amount of weks which is total BS and misses the point of the CO2 fermentation kit.

When using CO2 in an aquarium it is very very important to maintain a consistent level which is why most of the more experienced planted people use pressurised as it supplies a constant supply and the levels don't veer up and down.

With fermented CO2 it is important not to wait until it is finished as it will mean that the CO2 will reach a peak and then steadily fall therefore the 'x' days the manufacturers quote is not applicable.

The best way to use fermented units is to have 2 units, changede alternatively on a different day EVERY WEEK i.e. one on a Wednesday and one on a Sunday therefore one should always be peaking while the other is on decline. This will mean that you should always have a reasonably consistent level.

The sachets you get with these kits are made to last for the 'x' number of weeks which is why so many people do not use them.

For details of DIY or Nutrafin yeast mixes see the planted section where you will find a pin.

Andy

 

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hm..so DIY and these kits are basically the same. But isn't these kits safer than DIY? I mean sometimes DIY bottles explode when the pressure it too high right...so comparatively aren't these safer than DIY?

 

[SuperColey1]

DIY should never explode. after all you are using a coke bottle that has more gas in it than the CO2 will produce.

If it is a case of not releasing the CO2 that 'could' cause an explosion then this could happen to a ready bought kit too!!

Andy

 

[syntax_error]

Yes, I'm talking about DIY exploding because of pressure buildup. Although I havn't personally seen one I assume a ready bought kit would have some sort of pressure release system better than a DIY. I guess the bottom line is "its your choice. If you have the time and capacity to make a good DIY CO2 then ok, if not a ready bought kit would be better".
Thank you'll for your feedback.

 

[SuperColey1]

DIY and ready made have the same pressure release system.

It is this.

If the pressure gets too much in the cylinder then the mix goes up the pipe.

If the pipe is blocked then the pipe ends up shooting off the nipple.

This is why DIY units are best made with an airline connector (as the nipple in the lid) and not just a siliconed tube into the coke bottle lid.

This is this forum's version of the DIY kit. You'll notice the coke bottle lid is adapted to be the same sort of thing as a ready made one in that if thepressure builds then the hose can shoot off the 'nipple' and the mix will overflow a little rather than and explosion.
http/www.fishforever.co.uk/carbondioxide.html

Andy

 

[connorsbala]

I have a co2 kit on my tank and i think it makes a difference...its u=only been up for 4 weeks and i am seeing some improvement. Ill be gettig another light unit with a bulb specifically for plants..my current bulb is for fish colours and for plants.
Im going to use this DIY CO2 for my dwarf puffer tank

DIY and ready made have the same pressure release system.

It is this.

If the pressure gets too much in the cylinder then the mix goes up the pipe.

If the pipe is blocked then the pipe ends up shooting off the nipple.

This is why DIY units are best made with an airline connector (as the nipple in the lid) and not just a siliconed tube into the coke bottle lid.

This is this forum's version of the DIY kit. You'll notice the coke bottle lid is adapted to be the same sort of thing as a ready made one in that if thepressure builds then the hose can shoot off the 'nipple' and the mix will overflow a little rather than and explosion.
http/www.fishforever.co.uk/carbondioxide.html

Andy

One question Andy, you know in the article he says to add 2 cups of sugar, do you know exactly what size 'cup' that is?