should i get this CO2 system ???!!

[aquatic-Bizkut]

well as you can tell i have my share fare of threads, and as well as you should all know i work at petsmart )

so i have recently got into the fish tank hobby and hooblah, and i would like to soon upgrade to a 55 gallon or 75 gallon, as soon as i move maybe its a possibility, stay tuned

but what this thread is for, is my ten gallon tank, which isnt that big, but has lots of live plants, (all live in fact) around 13 live plants in the tank, and well it has around 2-3 WPG considering the bulbs are 20 watts each 6500K flourescent household bulbs, and its a ten gallon so more light is required for the tank. (well this is what i have been told) i am housing 3 dwarf puffers, and one otto as of now, the plants are doing ok, and the algea isnt that bad except for the white hair kind of stuff that just keeps coming back, and a few brown spots, but not tooo bad, the growth is ok, but i think its time to get a CO2 system, and i could either do a DIY one, which wont look good and i have heard there are chances of it exploding or hurting your tank so i found this one at my store i work at and was wondering if it is ok to use, if it is worth getting instead of making my own, plus it looks way better... here is the link....

http/www.petsmart.com/global/product_det...D=1124264732434

what do you think??

let me know if this is a good system, and why its good, or what the difference is between this and a DIY one.....

 

[Bloo]

Do a search here in the plant section and you will get a zillion threads about the Hagen Nutrafin CO2 System
Lots of us use it - it works fine for up to 20 US gallons.
Or you can try and make your own DIY system. This is a fabulous article that will give you all the information you need.

 

[kenneth_kpe]

to me it looks like a better more efficient DIY yeast co2 maker machine.... the ladder i like though

with regards to the safety of DIY c02 preparations, you just have to make sure there are fail safe precautionary measures rigged into your c02 system e.g. one way valve, a blow off valve etc etc its all about being carefull really

 

[aquatic-Bizkut]

ok sounds cool, so you guys both agree on getting it, i mean i can get it for like 27$ bucks with my discount, and i only have to replace the 6$ packets every three months or so..

 

[Bloo]

You can even do it cheaper if you just buy a tub of dry yeast (or a box of sachets) from the baking isle in the supermarket and make a suger mix - search for recipe here on the forum - I've never used my own DIY mix.

But.....you'll need to understand more about how this system works in a broader sense (how it will influence your pH etc. and how you need to know what your kH is and how to calculate the amount of CO2 your tanks is getting. Download Chuck's Aquarium Calculator and read some of his other articles while your at it

 

[jimbooo]

that system is ideal for the tank (i have 3 in total over 2 tanks). the only thing i'd point out is that you have 3 dwarf puffers in a 10 gallon. that alone is "pushing the boundaries". i know nothing about puffers but your PH will drop if adding co2 do puffers like low or high PH - calling all experts!!! help me out here..

question is what effect will it have on the fish. remember any stress you cause them will be greater then normal due to your chosen fish and stocking level.

be carefull and research more first. in my opinion

 

[houndour]

oh bugger. I'm supposed to be getting a puffer and it says to keep pH at least 7. And also to keep it constant.

At the mo my pH is 6.6, but the same thing happened in my larger tank...seemed to have pH 6.6 and after a month or so I don't seem to be able to get below pH 6.9 (even with 2 nutrafins running).

More research on puffers is needed I think.

 

[rdd1952]

That system works ok but beware of buying the replacement packs. They have an expiration date on them and are useless after that date. Even if you buy the packs in the store as bloozoo suggested, make sure you check the date. If it id old, you won't get many bubbles.

 

[aquatic-Bizkut]

i see ..... yeah i need to learn about the CO2 system and will search about this system, since it is a simple little system, its just it looks safer, and easier then if i made my own, and i have my puffers in a tank of around 7.8 and they do fine.... i know a lot about puffers and am still studying.....

Temperature - While they can tolerate a broad range of temperatures, dwarf puffers seem to do best with a temperature of at least 80F (26C).

PH - A PH of at least 7.0 is best.

Nitrites and Ammonia - As with any fish, you want to keep these down to 0 at all times.