Hey, so I've seen a few threads asking about CO2, and had a couple of people ask me, so I decided to make a thread on how I personally go about getting the CO2 levels I require in my tank.
Firstly, this is just the way that I do it. Other people may have a method that is more efficient for them, or even more convenient, but this works for me and after making some adjustments it fits my budget, and my schedule just fine.
Firstly, a bit of information about my tank:
55 gallon (48"x 12ish" x 20ish")
Penguin 350 HOB filter (carbon removed from filter cartridges)
130w CF (6700K & 8000K)
Flourite & Sand substrate
Fully planted, EI fertilizations to keep NO3 - 10ppm; PO4 - 2ppm
pH - 6.5
KH - 4
CO2 - 37ppm
You will need:
2 x 2l Soda bottles
3 x Check Valves
Airline Tubing + "T" connector
1 x Ceramic Airstone (micro bubbler). 2" long
Aquarium Sealant (pure silicone. Check your LFS for a small tube, only a couple of bucks)
Firstly, raise your water level as high as you can. You want to reduce surface agitation.
Secondly, hook up the airstone to the tubing and place on the opposite side of the tank to the filter. Run the tubing up out of the tank and down to the ground. Place a check valve on this end and then cut a length of tubing (a few inches) and slide onto the "T" connector.
Take the tops off your 2 soda bottles and drill small holes. Start with 1/16". The tubing should JUST barely be able to go through. You should have to kinda squash the tubing a little to get it in. Each piece of tubing should be about 6-9" in length. Spread silicone aquarium sealant around the seal the tube makes with the top, inside and outside (some people don't find it necessary to do this but I like to make sure the seal is totally airtight). Leave it to set for 48 hours.
Now, cut the tubing that will be inside the bottle so it is only about 1.5 inches long, and you should have about 6 inches on the outside. Cut at an angle, this helps any liquid that does get up the tube to drip out. On the ends of the tubes connect a check valve, then cut a small piece of tubing a few inches in length and connect to the "T" connector.
Your DIY CO2 unit is complete. Now you just gotta fill it!
CO2 recipe (courtesy of gf)
2 cups of sugar
1 tsp yeast (I use Fleischmann's active dry yeast - available at stop and shop)
I change each bottle weekly, one on wednesday and one on thursday. Take a 3rd soda bottle (I know ,I said you only needed 2, I lied) and on a tuesday/friday night/afternoon make up the formula and sit it aside. (don't screw the lid on! (unless you have a hole in it like i do with some tubing coming out as a pressure release valve)). The next morning before lights come on remove one of the bottles to be replaced and hook up the new one. When you unhook it just turn the bottle whilst holding the top and then turn the other bottle on. The check valves will keep the pressure in the other bottle the same.
Stock rotate your bottles. I keep the one to be changed at the back, then remove it, slide the front one to the back and hook the new one to the front. Saves confusion.
Clean your airstone regularly, I do mine twice a week, you might get away with it weekly, but you want the bubbles to remain as small as possible. If it gets clogged, the bubbles will get larger.
I think that's about it. Feel free to ask questions.
Firstly, this is just the way that I do it. Other people may have a method that is more efficient for them, or even more convenient, but this works for me and after making some adjustments it fits my budget, and my schedule just fine.
Firstly, a bit of information about my tank:
55 gallon (48"x 12ish" x 20ish")
Penguin 350 HOB filter (carbon removed from filter cartridges)
130w CF (6700K & 8000K)
Flourite & Sand substrate
Fully planted, EI fertilizations to keep NO3 - 10ppm; PO4 - 2ppm
pH - 6.5
KH - 4
CO2 - 37ppm
You will need:
2 x 2l Soda bottles
3 x Check Valves
Airline Tubing + "T" connector
1 x Ceramic Airstone (micro bubbler). 2" long
Aquarium Sealant (pure silicone. Check your LFS for a small tube, only a couple of bucks)
Firstly, raise your water level as high as you can. You want to reduce surface agitation.
Secondly, hook up the airstone to the tubing and place on the opposite side of the tank to the filter. Run the tubing up out of the tank and down to the ground. Place a check valve on this end and then cut a length of tubing (a few inches) and slide onto the "T" connector.
Take the tops off your 2 soda bottles and drill small holes. Start with 1/16". The tubing should JUST barely be able to go through. You should have to kinda squash the tubing a little to get it in. Each piece of tubing should be about 6-9" in length. Spread silicone aquarium sealant around the seal the tube makes with the top, inside and outside (some people don't find it necessary to do this but I like to make sure the seal is totally airtight). Leave it to set for 48 hours.
Now, cut the tubing that will be inside the bottle so it is only about 1.5 inches long, and you should have about 6 inches on the outside. Cut at an angle, this helps any liquid that does get up the tube to drip out. On the ends of the tubes connect a check valve, then cut a small piece of tubing a few inches in length and connect to the "T" connector.
Your DIY CO2 unit is complete. Now you just gotta fill it!
CO2 recipe (courtesy of gf)
2 cups of sugar
1 tsp yeast (I use Fleischmann's active dry yeast - available at stop and shop)
I change each bottle weekly, one on wednesday and one on thursday. Take a 3rd soda bottle (I know ,I said you only needed 2, I lied) and on a tuesday/friday night/afternoon make up the formula and sit it aside. (don't screw the lid on! (unless you have a hole in it like i do with some tubing coming out as a pressure release valve)). The next morning before lights come on remove one of the bottles to be replaced and hook up the new one. When you unhook it just turn the bottle whilst holding the top and then turn the other bottle on. The check valves will keep the pressure in the other bottle the same.
Stock rotate your bottles. I keep the one to be changed at the back, then remove it, slide the front one to the back and hook the new one to the front. Saves confusion.
Clean your airstone regularly, I do mine twice a week, you might get away with it weekly, but you want the bubbles to remain as small as possible. If it gets clogged, the bubbles will get larger.
I think that's about it. Feel free to ask questions.
?? ill certainlty try tis method for my 55 gallon brackish tank!
