Hi Prof Me again. Has anyone ever asked or thought about dipping a soda stream machine into a tank and giving it a few squirts, as to inrease CO2 levels? Is this feasible?
Hi Cobus, I don't have much time for replies today unfortunately, but I will try to answer shortly, if that is at all possible on this topic. In CO2 fertilization regulation of the amount is absolutely crucial, as the amount of CO2 added determines how much the pH will drop. If you squirt in CO2 the pH drops until absorbed by the plants upon which the pH will go up again. Depending on how much carbonate hardness you have in your water, which in South Africa, is normally low, this could cause the pH to drop by 1 or 2 units. Changes in pH of this magnitude (remember pH is measured on a log scale so a pH change from 7 to 6 means a 10 fold increase in acidity or a change of 7 to 5 means a 100 fold change in acidity) will have a very negative effect on the fishes you keep in the tank. They could easily go into pH shock and die. For this reason a few squirts of CO2 without regulation are not recommended. The effect of CO2 fertilization is also not achieved by one or two squirts of CO2. It has to do with a constant level of CO2 applied over weeks or months. As far as I am concerned CO2 fertilization should go hand in hand with a pH controller and it is exactly this which makes it expensive. As the plants would not consume CO2 at night, the regulator would then switch off the CO2 completely then, which is also essential as with a constant stream of CO2 at night the pH would also drop dramatically. Eventually not such a short reply due the complexity, but there are no shortcuts in CO2 fertilization as far as I am concerned. Kind regards, Dirk
Thanks, that makes sense! Has anybody set up their own CO2 systems and about how much did it cost? Or can anybody advise as to where a cheap reliable system can be bought?
Cheap and reliable dont go together! Google "diy co2 system" it will cost you about R30 and is very easy to do but not very accurate or reliable (but better than nothing) otherwise it will cost near 2k for a canister, regulator diffusors and so on... Good luck... Ps an airstone on timer works well to dissipate the co2 at night..
Trying to hook up a regulator etc to a CO2 bottle is a pain in the ass and not really worth it, seems most people that have actually managed still battle with leaks etc. Reliable would be: Proper CO2 bottle + filling - maybe R500 Regulator, including needle valve and solenoid valve - R800ish probably pH controller - at least R1000 Not sure on the diffusor... I agree that when it comes to CO2 especially cheap and reliable don't go together.
you can get decent "Dazz" glass diffusers for about R100 at AquaH2o but for a decent electric regulator you will pay upwards of R1500..
I believe a regulator with a built in solenoid to shut off the co2 supply is the answer. this means getting a ph controller, which in turn means getting a probe, all this adds up! Surely we can work together and source these parts from manufacturers and set up cheaper options for ourselves. LFS prices are as you all know out of this world.
Yes Cobus, You are quite right, you need exactly those items. As I import fish food from Germany ever so often, I will investigate what the options may be for the importation of this equipment. Will keep you posted. Kind regards, Dirk
I was definitely not thinking of importing the CO2 bottles, but was thinking of the valves, pH controllers and diffusers.... Dirk
Hi Dirk, I was wondering if U have any news yet on the Pressurized CO2 systems? Because I would LOVE such a system. I am looking for a 2kg bottle with CO2 regulator with dual gauges and Seloniod valve. Also some CO2 tubing and check valve and GOOD diffuser. Thanks
Yes Slojo, I saw that .....What I want to know is where to buy this equipment for BEST prices..... In JHB I mean
Local prices - too much. This is the best price I could find globally: http://cgi.ebay.com/AZOO-CO2-Pressu...in_0?hash=item3ef7bb2757&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 Not sure how good this unit is, but this with tubing, a diffuser and shipping works out about R750. Then you need a gas cylinder, which you HAVE to get locally. Around R500. So total without the ph controller is about R1250. Your best options for the ph controller is this Milwaukee unit http://cgi.ebay.com/SMS122-PH-monit...in_0?hash=item58823e4c49&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 But stores don't ship Milwaukee from USA to SA (trade restrictions). So you have to buy the unit locally. Inquire with Altum, a sponsor on this forum.
Co2 and cheap= DIY Otherwise it just doesnt work, I'v tried the "cheap" systems and ended up spending just as much as a proper system in the long run, R1250 is an almost unbelievable price and definatly worth looking into but I would be skeptical! On the other hand you could contact Altum and make a once off investment and Im sure he would help you through the process by explaining and giving all the options ect.. Anyway good luck man..
