No Co2 From Nutrafin Kit!

[craynerd]

Just got one of the nutrafin kits and it has been running for 24 hours ! Haven`t seen a single bubble! All is tight and i have added the saches as instructed! I just don`t understand!!!!!

Chris

 

[njw]

I got one of these on Monday.... it takes a while to get going. its been running 4 days now, and its only today i've noticed regular bubbles, approx 1 every 15/20 seconds.

it was cheap, so i thought i'd try it. but, i think i'll switch to a pressurised system.

 

[bennett]

dudes there's a thread pinned that has a recipe in it to replace the bloody awful sachets you get.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=105266

if you're gunna be doing planted i'd suggest scouring them a few times a day, if you're anything like me there's always one bit you skim read that turns out to be important

 

[MoreCoffee]

I had the same problem, then I switched to a home brew mix and never had a problem since !

The 'activator' is just yeast
The 'stabiliser' is just bicarbonate of soda

This is not my own mix, but one I found on a forum (probably this one). Sorry but I cant remember the original poster, but credit goes to them !

First mix half a teaspoon of breadmaking yeast (dried active yeast) in about half a mug of luke warm water and just a pinch of sugar, stir well until disolved and leave for about 2 mins.....

I fill the canister with sugar as per the Nutrafin instructions, add 1 teaspoon of Bicarb of soda.......

Add the yeast mix and to the canister and top up with warm water (not too hot), screw on the top and attach the tubing .....

....... Each time I use this mix, I get bubbles in less than 10 mins.

The yeast and bicarb cost a few pence (or you may already have them in) and give you enough ingredients to last for months.

Mr G

 

[craynerd]

cheers guys!

I think i`ll sack the mix and do my own stuff tomorrow! Still glad i`ve got the kit, £20 and its tidy and compact, so certainly no waste of money!

Chris

 

[bennett]

depends if u luck out and get a ladder off ebay. not that i have but i've seen them on there for a quid

 

[MoreCoffee]

Just posting this becuase I believe I got the yeast mix I use from one of Jimbooo's posts ....

See this thread Jimbooo's yeast mix

...... I should have guessed really (many thanks Jimbooo)

The only thing I do differently is a pinch of sugar when mixing up the yeast in the mug (although in all honesty it's probably not needed) and Jimbooo suggests filling the canister 2cm below the upper fins, I do this but
then top up those 2cm's with luke warm water after about 24-48 hours after the initial fermentation burst.

In addition to the standard Nutrafin setup, I have not only added a second canister to my 130Ltr tank (1 canister reccomended for 70Ltrs) but I've also included a non return valve in the air line to prevent any syphoning action.

My CO2 seems to be working well, before adding CO2 I could never get any plants go grow, now
they all grow well and need regular cutting back.
My amazon sword has sprouted and producing 2 new plants and my floating water lettuce are also
throwing off shoots and new plants.

 

[BoSelecta]

I have been using that mix as well, its worked really well for the last couple of months.

 

[craynerd]

Changed the mix yesterday morning, and the bubbles kept clogging up and escaping in large bubbles, but happy with the fact that at least i was getting bubbles!. Woke up this morning and all is working perfectly, about a bubble every 5 seconds? that a bit quick?

Chris

 

[Themuleous]

How big is the tank its in? 1 bubble every 5 second seems to be about the average you'll get from a DIY mix, that's about what I was getting. Have you tested KH and pH, you'll be able to work out the CO2 from those two readings and see if its adding enough from that.

Hope this helps

Sam

PS the bubble getting caught in the ladder is normal, it should clear after a day or so, probably less.

 

[alanchown]

How big is the tank its in? 1 bubble every 5 second seems to be about the average you'll get from a DIY mix, that's about what I was getting. Have you tested KH and pH, you'll be able to work out the CO2 from those two readings and see if its adding enough from that.

Hope this helps

Sam

PS the bubble getting caught in the ladder is normal, it should clear after a day or so, probably less.

I was getting at least a bubble a second by day on on a DIY mix, but I reckon by day 4 it's slowed to 1 every 1 1/2-2 seconds. My canister is hanging on the back of the aquarium, which may help keep the canister at a constant temp.
I went in to my local well regarded aquarium store today to get a second system for my tank. and they said they didn't sell them 'cos they don't work!

Alan

 

[bennett]

a tip i've been handing out is-

put the canister ontop of where your tanks inbuilt light starters are situated, them buggers get warm and will make your canister warm...also a nice foil jacket for the canister can only help maintain any heat.

not saying it works perfectly BUT anything has got to be better than nowt eh?