Simple Co2 System Help

[typhoon]

hi im after some help and advice on a co2 system, im wanting my discus tank to be heavily planted, in the past ive had no trouble looking after plants but seeing some of the co2 tanks just makes me think wow! so im after a cheap easy to use co2 system (as im a beginner) my tank is a RIO 400 currently with very few plants in but already stocked with discus

any help or advice or recommendatiosn on good systems that would suit are much appreciated

thanks luke

 

[elmo666]

Hi luke. Am afraid to say that co2 and cheap aren't words that you would normally associate with each other. I can imagine the tanks you have seen are show tanks in aquatic centres, if you were to ask them about the initial set-up costs I think you would find the to be well in excess of £200 for the co2 kit. That said, once installed correctly the running cost are relatively low. For a discus set-up, soft and acidic, care must be taken introducing co2 as the ph can alter. This can be an advantage if you install the kit to monitor and adjust ph using co2. There is plenty of info in the planted section regarding such things as diy yeast co2, use of fire extinguishers and building your own system. Ebay sells a fair bit of kit, tho alot of it is for small set-ups using throw away canisters. For best results when wanting a fully planted tank, start with a planting medium below your substrate, this gives long term nutrients. Decide on what type of plants you want to keep, high or low light. Then design your lighting around this, tho discus won't appreciate it being too bright. Are you willing to dose regularly with ferts? You see, you can achieve a fully planted tank without co2/high power lighting, you just have to choose your plants accordingly. So, have a good troll through the planted section where you will find info on low tech/high tech options and go from there. The best thing to do, I think, is be realistic regarding your budget now and what you want to invest long term. Then, work from there as once you introduce your discus they will need a stable environment, so you can't play around too much then. Hope that helps a little.

 

[slimeneo]

I have a DIY co2 system- with bottles. Though I have to say, you'll be using a lot of sugar and those costs add up.

 

[elmo666]

hmmm, tell me a little more about your yeast set-up pls. Do you use a bubble ladder? How do you regulate it? Do you vent it off at night so it doesn't go into the tank? Just curious to know as I use it as well and want to see if I can improve on it. Thanks

 

[slimeneo]

I have a glass diffuser. No, it's on all day (I turn on the bubbler at night, just to make sure my fish aren't suffocated, although the co2 probably isn't enough to do so anyway). I have 2 bottles for the set up, one 1L bottle and the other that's probably half that size. The 1L bottle holds the actual solution, yeast sugar and water, and it's connected to the smaller bottle (to ensure that no yeast gunk gets into the tank) and then that's connected to a check valve and bubble counter then the diffuser in the tank. The downside to using the glass diffuser is that it gets clogged by algae and other stuff, so I have to soak it in bleach solution occasionally. I use 2 cups of sugar, 1/4 teaspoon of yeast and water to fill 3/4 of the bottle up. So far it's lasted 5 weeks and is still going

 

[elmo666]

Interesting...... I didn't know a glass/ceramic diffuser would work with a yeast system, and thought a bubble counter was used when you have a means of regulating the flow. Do you just use it as I way of guaging how well the soution is doing and when it needs changing?

 

[slimeneo]

Interesting...... I didn't know a glass/ceramic diffuser would work with a yeast system, and thought a bubble counter was used when you have a means of regulating the flow. Do you just use it as I way of guaging how well the soution is doing and when it needs changing?

yup, pretty much

 

[elmo666]

Just read your post again. I don't use a second bottle, but can see it's usefulness. Am gonna add one with the feed from my main bottle going in below the surface of the water, it will be half full. The outlet will be just below the top of the bottle, creating a simple bubble counter. What do you think? Incidentally, how long do you find it takes for your solution to produce co2 into the tank? I use 1/2 teaspoon sodium bicard to give a steadier reaction to my solution.

 

[slimeneo]

Here are pictures of my set up:

large bottle with yeast, water & sugar -> small bottle ->

check valve -> bubble counter -> diffuser

I'm not sure what you mean by it going below the surface of the water.

Hm, I'm not sure exactly how long it takes, but generally it will start in, I would say ~6 hours (I leave it overnight and when I wake up, it is already producing). I don't use sodium bicard, I heard it starts the process faster but it also makes the reaction last a shorter duration.

 

[elmo666]

Thanks for the pics. I am planning to take the feed from my main bottle into the smaller one (1/2 full) so that the end is just off the bottom of the bottle, below the surface. My feed to the tank will go from a point just inside the small bottle. Am thinking this would create a simple bubble counter. What do u think?

 

[slimeneo]

Thanks for the pics. I am planning to take the feed from my main bottle into the smaller one (1/2 full) so that the end is just off the bottom of the bottle, below the surface. My feed to the tank will go from a point just inside the small bottle. Am thinking this would create a simple bubble counter. What do u think?

Oh, I see. Yes I think that would work. Make sure you have a check valve from the small bottle into the tank though.

 

[elmo666]

Thanks, and don't worry, I have my check valve in place. It's been nice chatting with you.