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DIY CO2 for beginner

5K views 34 replies 11 participants last post by  jstehman 
#1 ·
I was thinking about staring DIY CO2 for my 46g bowfront (check out my profile for pic). Any advice, tips? Also I was wondering if the fluctuation in CO2 over time will cause any algae or harm my plants? I was planning to replace the sugar and yeast mixture every two weeks.
 
#2 ·
I'm assuming you already know how to set up the reactors so I'll skip that unless you say otherwise. As far as CO2 fluctuation, you can't simply plug the solenoid into a timer to shut it off at night but what you can do is run an airstone at lights-off to strip the CO2 out of the water. I will say though that several years ago when I was running DIY CO2, I don't recall running an airstone at night and I don't remember any major issues caused by the pH swings. The important thing would be to check the fish at lights-on to make sure they're not gasping for air. Plants may consume CO2 during the day while producing oxygen, but at night they consume oxygen and may remove too much oxygen at night making it difficult for the fish to breathe.
 
#16 ·
I'm assuming you already know how to set up the reactors so I'll skip that unless you say otherwise. As far as CO2 fluctuation, you can't simply plug the solenoid into a timer to shut it off at night but what you can do is run an airstone at lights-off to strip the CO2 out of the water. I will say though that several years ago when I was running DIY CO2, I don't recall running an airstone at night and I don't remember any major issues caused by the pH swings. The important thing would be to check the fish at lights-on to make sure they're not gasping for air. Plants may consume CO2 during the day while producing oxygen, but at night they consume oxygen and may remove too much oxygen at night making it difficult for the fish to breathe.
otherwise
 
#4 · (Edited)
Fluctuations will cause BBA typically. Depends on low-high light you have. DIY for a 46g you need either 2 yeast setups or a super efficient method to dissolve it. If you have the money, invest in a good Pressurized system. I had the same mentality that i can get away with DIY and I did, but i had EZ plants + low-medium light. When i moved to higher light and more difficult plants, i realized DIY was too unstable. Unless you are as experienced as Tom Barr, growing more demanding plants with DIY CO2 is a bit more tricky.

Like i said earlier, if you have the money and are genuinely interested in this plant hobby, find a good quality regulator, solenoid, needle valve, and seriously invest in it. Good quality regulators will last you a lifetime. Well, i can't say that for sure but the precision cannot be beaten by DIY.
 
#6 ·
I have 2 T-5 HO (39 watts each) and 1 T-8 SO (30 watts) on my tank. The substrate is eco complete. I know that DIY won't be as good as pressurized but iam a student and i'm low on cash (saving up for college and stuff :icon_smil). Will DIY work if I just want a cheaper solution to grow my plants?
 
#5 ·
I started DIY CO2 about 6 weeks ago when I re-started up my tank. Algae is common in new tanks due to all sorts of reasons, so I can't say for certain that the algae I'm getting is due to my DIY CO2 since there are so many factors, but the rate does fluctuate quite a bit, and I'm getting algae (BBA and several others, but not bad). Don't let that scare you though.

I'm switching to pressurized now. Whether or not the fluctuation caused it, since I have zero control over CO2, I don't feel I have much of a chance to keep it at bay. I'm really glad I did DIY, because it let me see how great the plants grow, and it got me comfortable with the idea of it and CO2 concepts. It helped me realize that it's worth it to me.

It's super cheap and easy to try. If you give it a shot and get frustrated or don't like it, then just go back to what you were doing. You'll only be out a tiny bit of cash. If you give it a shot and it works great for you, like it has for many many people, then you win. Either way it's super cheap try, so I say go for it.
 
#7 ·
A paintball CO2 tank, adapter and regulator shouldn't run you over $100. You'll get to $100 faster than you think doing DIY. It seriously worth it to just save a little, mow the neighbors lawn a few times and get at least a good paintball CO2 system. I've tried them all and for $100 you'll thank me later


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#10 ·
Over here I can't find cheap co2, so I've been using the DIY method. It's better then nothing and even though they say that pressurized will be cheaper in the long run $1~$2 a month for sugar and yeast isn't going to break the bank. For a good diffuser that works with DIY I found that the inline ista Max Mix Reactor works well.
 
#13 ·
I tried a chopstick diffuser and cotton balls. I tried several times and different ways, but I just couldn't get it to work great. Some small/micro bubbles came out, but some bigger ones came out too. My best success was stuffing the chopstick further up the tube, and then stuffing cotton in after it.

I wasn't happy with it, so next I tried a cheap ebay glass/ceramic one just like THIS ONE. It worked better, but still had some bigger bubbles. I ran it for about a month, but I didn't like the bigger bubbles, so I figured I'd try one more diffuser.

Now I'm using a Fluval Ceramic 88g diffuser. It's bubbles are all very small and more consistent, and it's much better than the others.

However, the Fluval isn't perfect for DIY CO2 either as it does require far more pressure. My DIY CO2 bottles are much harder and more pressurized than when I used the other diffusers. I think it's fine, but it's an observation. It also takes several hours longer to build up pressure and get running after you depressurize the system. Now I'm using 2 bottles with check valves between them, so I can swap them out 1 at a time and not loose pressure.

Also, the fluval is by far the smallest, and since it's black it hides the best also. It's the least obvious in my tank, and now I wish I had black CO2 line as well.

Here is the chopstick:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nNmmuXp0mI

Here is the cheap glass one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HPd2HJdN0Y

Here is the Fluval one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=741oGxa9Rlw
 
#18 ·
I think someone posted pics from this earlier but I didn't see the link.

http://www.qsl.net/w2wdx/aquaria/diyco2.html

Its a solid write up regarding DIY co2 that covers the different components. I'm running diy on my 29g. Duffusing through an my hob filter but I feel like it could be better. Gonna try the reactor that's detailed with the power head/siphon. Could be worth a try for you too.
 
#19 ·
Duffusing through an my hob filter but I feel like it could be better.
When injecting CO2, you really shouldn't be running a HOB filter because it causes turbulence at the surface which will strip the CO2 back out of the water. For large tanks, canister filters are preferred with the outflow being aimed to not disturb the surface too much, while internal filters are good for small tanks.
 
#21 ·
That's good. And thanks for posting that link. I skimmed through it because I felt like a dummy forgetting about all of that and I realized that I completely forgot about the sugar in my earlier post lol. That write-up is pretty much as good as it gets. There's absolutely nothing that I could add.
 
#30 ·
I just made my second batch of co2. It is not producing any co2 into my diffuser and my tank. But when I shake the bottle, a little bit came out and in to the tank. I checked for leaks already, none was found. I did 2 cups of sugar, 1/2 tsp of yeast and a dash of old baking soda. I mixed the sugar and baking soda with warm water and activated my yeast with some warm water and sugar. then i dump the mixture together and sake and then hook it up to my tubbing.Does the temperature effect the rate of fermentation of the yeast? or what am i doing wrong?
 
#32 · (Edited)
I had the same issues as you before. Heres what i do:

I use sugar, Yeast (like fleishmanns or something just basic yeast you can find in grocery stores) and water. for equipment i used a 2 liter bottle and another smaller bottle filled with only water. In teh 2liter bottle i dissolve about 2 cups of sugar into it. Yeast i use probably like 1/2->1 tsp yeast. Proof it for 20 minutes but mixing it with lukewarm water. u should see stuff happening. Then mix the two solutions. I leave some space between the water level and the top of the 2L bottle so you dont get crap flowing into the other bottle. From the 2L bottle, take a tube and route it into the smaller bottle filled with water. That simple acts as a water filter so the CO2 from the 2L bubbles through the water and up. Then from the small bottle, taht rube coming out goes to the diffuser. It will take about a day for you to see good CO2 production. I highly doubt you will ever produce enough co2 this method to gas your fish so don't really need to worry about too high levels. Im sure its possible, but very unlikely.

If you can find it, i mix my yeast with some wine yeast as well. Wine yeast can take higher alcohol levels but produces co2 at a lower rate. However, its very consistent. I tried all wine yeast before. It sucks. Almost no CO2 came out and it takes like 2 days to get going. However, I mixed the two and it wasnt that bad. Also wine yeast settles to the bottom whereas bakers yeast floats. When you change out the yeast solutions, leave some of the Original liquid in as it can help speed up fermentation process IME.

What diffuser are you using? The diffuser might be clogged if it still cant get out.
 
#33 ·
i am using a bell type diy diffuser with a fine airstone on the tubbing from the reactors. I just set this whole system up sunday so it is very new. i think my reactors is producing some co2 but it does get into my tank. It has been over 24 hours now. Today, i shake the bottle and a rush of co2 bubled in to my bell reactor. but then it stop.
 
#35 ·
Sounds like a small leak.

If you get a rush of bubbles when you shake the fermenter, you don't have blockage.

Put some kiddie bubble solution on the lids where your airline goes and you will know for sure.
 
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