How To Co2?

[freerunner416]

Right i am new to all this CO2 stuff and have mega questions!! I hope you all dont mind answering a few!!

How much does it cost to set up and the upkeep of it?

What do you need to set it up?

Where is the best place to buy it?

Is it noisy?

Is it good for the fish or just the plants?

I think that is enough questions this now!!

Thanks for any help you give me!!

Craig

 

[kamel_007]

If you've a big tank, with heavily plant's loaded..

sure you need CO2.

you can go with two ways

1.Co2 yeast generater.

2.Co2 pressurized cylinder.

Choose one. then we can detaile..

 

[freerunner416]

I have 2 20(uk)G tanks. I try to keep both quite well planted but i have some fish that eat some of the plants!!

I dont know anything about either of the techniques you mention and am happiest to go for the one that is the easiest to use!

Cheers

 

[Jen]

With such small tanks (in comparison), I wouldnt think you would need to go the pressurized route - it just depends on if you have the money and the want to do it.

All you need to go the DIY route is a empty 2 litre soda bottle, some airline tubing, a diffusor, sugar, baking yeast and water. You could even make one bottle and run it to both tanks if you can get a good enough level.

The only problem with the DIY that I found, was that I was often lazy and would forget to change the bottle, so I would go a week without changing it, and would get some nasty co2 swings. If you know that you will change it very regularily, then this is an easy and inexpensive way to get it.

As for ease, I would say the pressurized is deffinatly easier, but much more expensive. I set it up, and it runs for 3 or 4 months before re-filling - its a 5lb tank on a 90gal (us) tank. It cost around $200 canadian to set up, and $10 to re-fill. I couldnt do it any other way on my tank - not worth it to even try DIY.

 

[jimbooo]

yeast type co2 generation will be fine any £000's cheaper.

Right i am new to all this CO2 stuff and have mega questions!! I hope you all dont mind answering a few!!

How much does it cost to set up and the upkeep of it?

What do you need to set it up?

Where is the best place to buy it?

Is it noisy?

Is it good for the fish or just the plants?

I think that is enough questions this now!!

Thanks for any help you give me!!

Craig

Cost - £20 per tank for the nurtafin natural plant system (see pinned thread)
upkeep - £5 per year on yeast fron your super market and rather a lot of sugar which is cheap enough
equipment - nutrafin kit, yeast, sugar, water
buy at lfs (decent stores sell them or find online using google)
totally silent
good for fish that prefer lower PH. in hard water areas with a high ph you should end up with a nutral PH once it's up and running. for healthy plants it's essential

edit: jen beat me to it. her method is identical although she is referring to making the nurtafin kit yourself which is cheaper but i'm lazy so just bought one (or rather 4 but thats another story)

 

[freerunner416]

thanks jen and jimbo!!

I didnt no if i should be doing it or not!!

I may leave it until i get a bigger house (get bigger tank then).

Any more info would be helpful tho

 

[Jen]

Whats the rest of the info on your tank? How much light are on them, are you fertalizing? You may not need to get co2 on them.

 

[George Farmer]

Any more info would be helpful tho

The pinned CO2 thread should help.

 

[kamel_007]

for more information on DIY yeast generator..

Click here..

 

[Spinal]

You could even go DiY pressurised... paintball, weelding and pubs all use CO2...

Michele

 

[freerunner416]

Whats the rest of the info on your tank? How much light are on them, are you fertalizing? You may not need to get co2 on them.

I think it is a 18w bulb that is in one of my tanks. I ament fertilising them as yet. I have looked at root tabs but don't really know what you do with them (i am guessign you just put them at the roots). My other tank has two smaller bulbs with two different coloured lights in them. Not the best description. They each span half the hood and have two bulbs coming from each side. It doesnt say on them what wattage they are. That tank is a lot brighter and plants seem to do ok in it, except amazon swords!!

Thanks for the help guys.

What fertiliser should you use?? Does it affect water??

 

[vic]

This will answer a lot of your questions. For costs have a look on e-bay for a start.
Cheers;

http/www.qsl.net/w2wdx/aquaria/diyco2.html