Yikes :s

[R1ch13]

I was looking into buying one of those Hagen nutrafin c02 kits from aquaessentials ...

But Its says that one is suitable for up to 75 litres my tank is 240 litres !

Please dont tell me that I'll have to buy like 3 of them to produce sufficent c02 for this tank ?

Could someone explain to me what I'll have to do and give me some solutions !

I really dont have alot of money ! I do know of DIY c02 have done it before wasnt quite confident with it though !

Thanks alot

Richie

 

[nurglespuss]

Hi there :>

I'm new to CO2 introduction for my 70 litre.

I have also ordered one of the Hagen Units, but until it arrives am experimenting with a DIY kit. All Ive used is flexi air line, a 3 litre water bottle, a weight to hold the line verticle in the bottle, a suction cup for the line inside the tank. I've followed the recipe (though had to guess how much sugar/water) featured in the pinned thread, and have just set it up 5 minutes ago. Nothings heppening yet, but if it works, I will let you know. That way you could buy, say one hagen unit, and set up one or two diy units. Also it depends on how much plant growth you want...

 

[R1ch13]

thanks for replying !

I have used DIY ones before and had it attached to the ventura on the top of my filter !

Jus didnt know how many bubbles i had etc etc as it was getttin diffused into millions of them inside the filter lol !

Ur mix should start working in a few mins ! Give the bottle a good shake ! and it better not be filled right to the top lol !

itll start once the c02 has filled the empty bit of the bottle with gas !

Shouldnt be long now lol

Richie

 

[planter]

IMO Hagen's recommendation of 1 unit 75l tank is based on the amount of Co2 they expect their activator/stabilizer satchet to produce. I think youll find a little tinkering with the recipe and you can achieve a higher Co2 output than hagen might expect! lots of post on this forum already giving lots of good advice on recipies, have a look at the pinned articles! The hagen unit comes supplied with an excellent diffuser and if like me you cant be bothered with all the diy to save yourself a penny or two, is an excellent option. One great tip that i did pick up was to sterilise the container before and after each and every use - add sugar add boiling water leave to cool- beat mixture in a cup with small amount of warm water then add to hagen unit - job done!!

Have fun

Oh might be worth mentioning Maidenhead aquatics were offering the hagen unit at special offer price last month £14.99

 

[nurglespuss]

Now is the diffuser absolutely neccesary? Just out of curiosity, will it still work with just an open airline (i.e. nothing on the end). If so I have wasted my time this morning :>:>

 

[R1ch13]

IMO Hagen's recommendation of 1 unit 75l tank is based on the amount of Co2 they expect their activator/stabilizer satchet to produce. I think youll find a little tinkering with the recipe and you can achieve a higher Co2 output than hagen might expect! lots of post on this forum already giving lots of good advice on recipies, have a look at the pinned articles! The hagen unit comes supplied with an excellent diffuser and if like me you cant be bothered with all the diy to save yourself a penny or two, is an excellent option. One great tip that i did pick up was to sterilise the container before and after each and every use - add sugar add boiling water leave to cool- beat mixture in a cup with small amount of warm water then add to hagen unit - job done!!

Have fun

Oh might be worth mentioning Maidenhead aquatics were offering the hagen unit at special offer price last month £14.99

Ooo thanks lol !

I live pretty far from maidenhead aquatics i live in scotland lol haha !

Would i travel a good 5 hours or soo for a 4 pound cheaper hagen kit ? Hmmmmm YES ! but my parents dont drive hahaha Oh well !

Well my tank is L=48" W=15" D=18"

So i guessed i might need around 2 kits placed at both ends of the tank ?

Richie

 

[R1ch13]

Now is the diffuser absolutely neccesary? Just out of curiosity, will it still work with just an open airline (i.e. nothing on the end). If so I have wasted my time this morning :>:>

Yeah u kinda have lol !

The bubbles just float to the top of the water yeah ?

Well thats pointless !

Erm try and get it so the bubble gets sucked into ur filter intake or if u have a ventura (sp) on the top that usually allows air in to defuse the water...... just fix ur airline onto that and it sends out smaller c02 bubbles and gives it a better chance of desolving into the water !

U need to stop the bubble from getting to the surface lol !

ONE BIG BUBBLE COMES OUT AND FLOATS TO THE TOP !

Wont do anything for your plants !

Think think think my friend think up a solution lol !

Richie

 

[nurglespuss]

HEHEHEHE doh!, well theres no bubbles so far... Hmmmm I could pop of to my LFS and pick up an air stone perhaps? hmmmm I shall ponder, hmmmmm..... thanks!

 

[R1ch13]

Erm airstone i thought that would be good !

But i remember someone on here giving me a crappy ass excuse not to do that !

Try the filter intake idea first ! see if the bubble gets sucked in !

Tell me if it does

Richie

 

[nurglespuss]

OK will do :> only prob is, no bubbles yet!

 

[R1ch13]

OK will do :> only prob is, no bubbles yet!

Did u shake it ?

If not give it a little horizontal shaking !

 

[nurglespuss]

Yeah I shook it, afraid the bottle may be a little too big. I'll give it til this evening, then try a 1 litre bottle :>

 

[nurglespuss]

OK Identified the problem! hadnt quite sealed the top.. erg! what a smell!

am now using a smaller bottle, its definately fermenting, but the only thing I see in the tube is the odd bit of water....

Is it a case of not being able to build up enough pressure? its level with the tank.... is the hose too long.....?

 

[R1ch13]

Ok do this ....

get a robinsons bottle (if have one ) if not 2litre bottle is fine !

put about a cup of sugar in it and disolve with warm water, and then add like 2 teaspoons of yeast (u cant decide that amount atleast one tea sppon though)

Fill it up to about 4-5 inches from the top ! With warmish water !

then put the lid on the bottle and shake well !

Leave it for about an hour atleast with the lid on !

then put the hole in lid etc etc to connect airline then sit it beside the thank same level as it !

This should work and should buddle almost right away as u have left it for soo long !

Richie

 

[vic]

I was looking into buying one of those Hagen nutrafin c02 kits from aquaessentials ...

But Its says that one is suitable for up to 75 litres my tank is 240 litres !

Please dont tell me that I'll have to buy like 3 of them to produce sufficent c02 for this tank ?

Could someone explain to me what I'll have to do and give me some solutions !

I really dont have alot of money ! I do know of DIY c02 have done it before wasnt quite confident with it though !

Thanks alot

Richie

http/www.qsl.net/w2wdx/aquaria/diyco2.html
This site will give you a very strong insight into the world of CO2. 75L is 20 USFG. DIY CO2 will work fine in this tank. The real trick is efficient diffusion of the CO2. Read closely and you will get all the answers.
Vic