Electronic CO2 Generators

As I want to keep live plants I researched the CO2 issue a bit and stumbled upon electronic CO2 generators in the process. Some of the local guys have been using them very successfully and without complaint as a better priced alternative to pressurized systems.

They do however seem to generate a lot of debate in the aquarium community? Anyone on the forum have any experience or comments on these units?

 

Interesting, will be following this one.

 

Check out my thread HERE on electronic CO2 generators... if it's the same... STAY FAR FAR FAR away from it. It's K@K to say the least! (And it don't work either!)

 

Very interesting Zoom, but again no pics on the black slimy stuff you found! Lol! This unit that I'm looking into is I think "proudly South African" and costs about double what you paid for your's, but I might be mistaken. Will look at it again in more detail when I visit my LPS.

What will the average pressurized system (around 200l) set me back, what's the maintenance costs involved, how long does the cylinders last, etc?

 

Sorry, no i didn't take any pics of it. It basically works on a carbon plate that releases the Carbon into the water. It's suppose to be better that CO2. Plants need the carbon in CO2, not the Oxygen. So this electronic system only releases the Carbon into the water. (From what I've read about the system). The biggest downfall in this system is that not all the carbon is utilized by the plants, and the excess carbon was pretty much dumped into the water. The black slimy stuff looked pretty much like an oil spillage you see on tv from tankers in the ocean. The oil was under the gravel at the point where the unit was in the tank, and the entire filter was coated in this oily stuff.

I don't want to re-start that thread, as it is dead and buried now... what I can say is that when I removed the system, my tank immedietely went into a new cycle phase. I beleive this could be attributed to the oily stuff in the filter killing the bacteria.

 

What do you think about the Sicce CO2 Life units that Eurospirit imports? They're also electronic units but look way better than the chinese one you used.

 

Never used it. Don' tknow it at all. Sorry... my comments would not justify the thread.

 

at northlands pets they said that the reactor is the only thing they used and there plants and healthy to say the least the thing was R800

 

boyu reactor for 450 available in sa

 

i suggest you read the thread Zoom linked to in his reply

 

Unless you are putting CO2 into your tank via a pressurized bottle... don't bother!!!!

 

ok ,so i can use a paint ball can

 

Ditto.
It is what i am using.

 

and its pure CO2 without any other nasties? i would be EXTREMELY careful of using gas containers for compressed gas other than a. food grade or b. specific aquarium stuff.

 

Yes and it gets filled by Gas specialists(O2,CO2,etc,etc.)

Most upmarket Gas and Welding supply stores(not Uncle James on the Corner) stock a range of gasses,and have the relevant knowledge about pressure,filling procedures etc. to fill your CO2 cannisters.