CO2 Question

[MItchell]

Has anyone ever had problems leaving their CO2 on overnight without a airstone? I was wondering if sensitive fish like small tetras, angels, apistogrammas. etc would survive these sudden changes?

[Slojo]

I have tetras,angels apistos etc. in my tank.Running CO2 24/7 without a problem.Just do not overdose on the CO2.

[MItchell]

Would 400ml of yeast/sugar mix be ideal for a 200L planted tank?

[Firefly]

I often (when I'm not lazy) use a 5L water container and fill it but it usually only last 2 weeks. Had a problem two days ago because my lid wasn't on properly and water siphoned onto the floor.

[Zoom]

And you forgot to put the non-return valve in?

[Firefly]

And you forgot to put the non-return valve in?
Always thought something was missing.....XD

[Mic.E]

Hey Firefly and Slojo, is there a place where i can see pictures of how your co2 setup is working? Im very interested to try CO2 later on in my setup.

[Firefly]

Will post some pics tonight.

[Mic.E]

Thanks man. I really apreciate the effort :)

[Vez]

Hi guys,

This is how I was told to do it, according to the LPS, please mind the pic, im not a artist, haha

Is this correct?

6392

[johan008]

If I may make a suggestion I would rather put a second bottle next to the origanl bottle so that when it stops producing Co2 then it wont suck up the mixture into your tank and into the second bottle and then you also put a non return valve in between the tank and bottles

Here is a terrible picture so please do not jugde.

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv313/johan008_2009/Untitled-3.png

[Firefly]

Very nice. I agree with johan008 with the 2nd bottle.

[Rudi]

What is the reasoning behind the air pump?

[TankMaster]

Why would you want to add an air pump? I would add a bubble counter just to have a bit of control on the dosage. Air pump just messes up how much you dose . . .very inaccurate (potentially dangerous) way to build a DIY CO2 system.

TM

[Rudi]

I agree with @TankMaster (http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/member.php?u=1047),
MItchell
Your C02 reactor needs time to build up C02 and the bottle will create it's own pressure,which in turn will force the gas into the tank.

Adding the air pump will also pump air into the tank, causing surface agitation and that will force C02 out the water.
If you add C02 to a planted tank,you want as little surface movement as possible.Adding a small internal pump to diffuse the Co2 is not a problem,as long as there is minimal water agitation.

Yeast C02 reactors are great fun, but for best results add multiple reactors,2 or 3 bottle,in intervals of a few days.this way you'll have a more constant source of C02.

There is no way to control a yeast reactor.Never try to throttle the air line.The pressure in the bottle will build until the seal fails,it leaks,or the bottle explodes.Just let it run.

One more thing,200 l is probably to big for a yeast reactor,even if multiple bottles are used.
If you placed a diffuser on either side of the tank and kept the C02 supply stable,you may be fine.

[MItchell]

My Co2 reacter is in the sump. After 2 days my reactor stopped bubbling, I checked the bottle, the yeast is laying on the bottom. I shook it bit it only fizzed for a few seconds. I use instant yeast and followed all the instructions I found on the topic. What caused it to stop working? I also siliconed the second bottle shut which is stupid because it has some yeast water in it and eventually it will rot.

[Rudi]

MItchell,
If your diffuser,the device used to administer the Co2,I.E.air stone or power head,is in the sump,you'll loose allot of gas in the sump.Rather move the diffuser in to the main tank.

What recipe did you follow for the yeast,sugar water?

[TankMaster]

Putting Co2 in a sump filled with beneficial bacteria that needs oxygen to survive?

I would advise you to get a Dazs Glass co2 diffuser. The only glass Co2 diffuser that can be used with DIY yeast reactors. If you're done playing with DIY. ..get Seachem excel.

[riyadh]

Here are pics of mine. It has been running now for about a month. 2 cups sugar, 1 teaspoon yeast, and 1/4 teaspoon baking powder. Fill with warm water until the taper at the top of the bottle

[TankMaster]

+1 . ..exactly how it should be done!


Is there a bubble counter somewhere that I am not seeing?

[Rudi]

+1 . ..exactly how it should be done!


Is there a bubble counter somewhere that I am not seeing?

Since we're hijacking this thread to hell,why the obsession with a bubble counter?It only shows the reactor is working,the diffuser will show the same.We cannot calculate the amount off C02 added to the tank by counting bubbles.

[riyadh]

Nope, dont have one, the one 2 liter is enough for a 100- 150L tank, more 2 liters can be added with yeast generator depending on literage of aquarium

[riyadh]

no, i dont have one. This setup, the 2 liter bottle is enough for a 100 to 150l tank. If you need a higher quantity, then just add more 2 liters with yeast depending on literage of tank. Also you can use the 500ml bottle as a bubble counter, just add 1/4 or 1/2 water and make sure the tubing from the valve coming from the 2L is in the water

[rlowe]

and 1/4 teaspoon baking powder.

Baking powder? I hope you meant bicarb of soda. :amazed:

[riyadh]

Baking powder? I hope you meant bicarb of soda. :amazed:

oopss yeah thats right sorry about that

[TankMaster]

You don't know what a bubble counter is used for? How are u measuring your dosage? Rudi

[MItchell]

Can anyone tell me what the bicarb does? Im not using it in mine.

[riyadh]

it is to help in stabilizing the c02

[Zoom]

You don't know what a bubble counter is used for? How are u measuring your dosage? Rudi

I actually agree with Rudi on this one... a bubble counter on a Yeast reactor is actually only placing another obstacle in the way. Counting the number of bubbles going into the tank is also a completely ineffective way of measuring CO2 going in. The common believe is 1 bubble per minute per 10litres. BUT... what if your 10 litres is SERIOUSLY planted. Then that one bubble is COMPLETELY too little. You could be putting 1 drop in a 10 litre tank that only has 1 plant... no you are completely saturating the tank with CO2. Resulting in aglae blooms, and fish stress. As far as I know you need a thing called a "drop checker" (Rudi please correct me here?) where you monitor your pH all the time.

To get an EXTREMELY primitive reading if your CO2 is being effective, measure your pH. If it drops by 0.1 with the CO2 in, then you have some CO2 in the tank that will be used by the plants. BUT again, this is extremely primitive. Without knowing the GH and KH and doing the correct calculations, you will not know if you actually have enough, too little, or too much.

[Zoom]

You don't know what a bubble counter is used for? How are u measuring your dosage? Rudi

I actually agree with Rudi on this one... a bubble counter on a Yeast reactor is actually only placing another obstacle in the way. Counting the number of bubbles going into the tank is also a completely ineffective way of measuring CO2 going in. The common believe is 1 bubble per minute per 10litres. BUT... what if your 10 litres is SERIOUSLY planted. Then that one bubble is COMPLETELY too little. You could be putting 1 drop in a 10 litre tank that only has 1 plant... no you are completely saturating the tank with CO2. Resulting in aglae blooms, and fish stress. As far as I know you need a thing called a "drop checker" (Rudi please correct me here?) where you monitor your pH all the time.

To get an EXTREMELY primitive reading if your CO2 is being effective, measure your pH. If it drops by 0.1 with the CO2 in, then you have some CO2 in the tank that will be used by the plants. BUT again, this is extremely primitive. Without knowing the GH and KH and doing the correct calculations, you will not know if you actually have enough, too little, or too much.

[Rudi]

You don't know what a bubble counter is used for? How are u measuring your dosage? @Rudi (http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/member.php?u=304)
TankMaster,
If you had read my latest thread more carefully,you would have noticed I mentioned a drop checker.

When using a yeast Co2 reactor,there is no way to control the amount of Co2 that is produced by the yeast and sugar mixture.There is to many variables,i.e. the amount of yeast,the amount of sugar,the PH of the water in the mixture,the temperature of the room where you have the reactor bottle,etc.
At best your yeast reactor will give 15ppm of Co2,not nearly enough to cause fish problems.

With a yeast reactor you want a stable amount of Co2,that's why 2 or more reactors are often mentioned.Start a bottle,on day 2 add another,on day 3 replace bottle 1 and so you continue.The argument is that the Co2 production peaks on the second day and then starts to decline.If the first bottle is replaced on the third day,the second bottle would have had time to peak,there for,a near constant level of Co2.Not high but constant.
One common cause of algae is Co2 fluctuations.If you are letting your yeast reactor 'run' until the sugar is depleted,you are asking for trouble.

The most practical and accurate way to measure Co2 in your tank is with a drop checker, filled with water with a known Kh.
Measuring the Ph of the tank water and comparing it with the Ph/Kh chart is a flawed method.The reason?The Ph of your tank is not only influenced by Co2,but phosphates,tannins from the drift wood,etc.
If your d.c. water is made with distilled water,you know it's pure.It is then reconstituted with bicarb of soda to a Kh of your choice,4dkh is the most popular.A ph reagent is added to give a visual aid.
When placed in the tank,the Co2 will slowly dissolve in to the d.c.,changing the colour of the liquid,giving you a ph value to compare to the ph/kh chart.A blue colour,too little Co2,green colour,good,yellow colour,too much Co2.
The only downside is that each persons eyes is different,I may see light green and another will see dark yellow.This can also give you a false perception of the amount of Co2 you are actually adding to the tank.

How do I measure Co2?
A d.c. filled with 4dkh water.Colour is light green,reading approx. 6.8Ph.Compare with ph/kh chart gives me 25-30 ppm Co2.Good.
What do I use a bubble counter for?
A visual aid if I want to adjust the rate of Co2 injection.Not to measure the amount of Co2 dissolved in the tank.

[Rudi]

Can anyone tell me what the bicarb does? Im not using it in mine.
MItchell
The bicarb is added to stop the mixture going to acidic.If your tap water is very soft,the yeast and sugar mixture will acidify and kill your yeast culture.If your tap water is hard,bicarb is not necessary.

[Mic.E]

Wow CO2 is a bit more complex than i always thought.

[Vez]

I have done the CO2 system, how long before you start seeing some results in the plant growth??

[f-fish]

4 -6 weeks .. are you adding fertz also?

Later F

[riyadh]

What type of fertz do you suggest?

[Vez]

Yes I am, I think it’s called aqua flora, or something like that, it’s a green bottle.

[MItchell]

I was wondering, could you make some soda water using your soda stream machine and let it drip into your aquarium as a supplement for plants?

[rlowe]

I don't see why you'd want to do that. It'll work out much more expensive and be far less efficient.