I want to do C02! I need something easy enough for idiots

Wayne Dwops · 02-02-2013, 02:06 AM

Ha! I've read the primer to DIY CO2 and my dad can build it in a jiff but I really don't understand, at all, how the system works and I need something cheap and safe for my shrimp. Since my tank is only 20gallons and I am a complete idiot I'm thinking of just getting this:

http://www.amazon.com/Hagen-Nutrafin...rds=co2+system

and this ceramic diffuser

http://www.amazon.com/Fluval-Ceramic..._petsupplies_3

Is this system invertebrate safe though? How do I measure how much CO2 is in the tank to make sure my shrimp are not getting gassed? Is that what a bubble counter is for?

Also, will I need to use something to keep my PH and/or GH high enough for my RCS?

And, is there anything else I need to buy for the sugar/yeast method kit?

thanks.

discgo · 02-02-2013, 02:09 AM

Save your money imo, $40 will get you a third of the way to a pressurized setup. The hagen kit is just a fancy way of making a "diy co2". Also, you won't need the diffuser if the kit comes with a co2 ladder.

Wayne Dwops · 02-02-2013, 02:17 AM

sorry i read the primer to PRESSURIZED co2. See, I am an idiot. Like I said I don't really get how pressurized CO2 works. I mean I get it, but I don't get the system. I see these "all in one" kits but they never seem to actually contain everything. Is there an easy kit that is recommended? I really don't want a huge fancy set up for my small tank..

discgo · 02-02-2013, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne Dwops

sorry i read the primer to PRESSURIZED co2. See, I am an idiot. Like I said I don't really get how pressurized CO2 works. I mean I get it, but I don't get the system. I see these "all in one" kits but they never seem to actually contain everything. Is there an easy kit that is recommended? I really don't want a huge fancy set up for my small tank..

Your not necessarily an idiot for not understanding. It is kind of complicated at first. There are really only a couple of main parts to it

The Tank - Holds your liquid co2. They come in two styles, Paintball and full size. A paintball tank uses an ASA fitting to go to the regulator and can be filled at almost any paintball field. A full size tank is normally referred to by how many pounds of liquid co2 it holds (10 pound tanks are pretty common) Full size tanks use a fitting called a cga-320 valve.

Co2 regulator - changes the pressure from 800psi in the tank down to a more comfortable "working range" of 0-100psi

Bubble counter - Not really required but it helps you dial in your flow. Let's you see how much is going into the tank in an easily measurable way.

Needle valve - Allows you to fine tune your flow coming from the co2 regulator before it gets to the fish tank.

Solenoid - Allows you to turn on and off the flow of co2 using electricity. It can be hooked up to a timer allow the co2 to be turned on and off with the lights.

Those are the basic parts of the system.

discgo · 02-02-2013, 02:57 AM

The hagen system you linked to earlier is just a yeast generator "diy" style system. It can be made out of 2l bottles and airline parts. If you go that route you don't even really need a diffuser, you could just use a piece of cotton ball shoved up in the air hose to make tiny bubbles.

Wayne Dwops · 02-02-2013, 03:15 AM

i don't feel like doing that ok, I am lazy as well as stupid. I linked my dad to the posts Primer on Pressurized CO2 and how to build a regulator posts though and it looks easy as balls to man who has 40 years of engineering experience. But I am still going to get the Hagen kit, for $30 it will get me started, but I am just wondering how I keep the PH/GH stable? I would like the PH to no lower than 7.2...GH I want to keep at 7 and KH I don't want to go any higher than 4. Will it effect TDS? It could stand to be much lower, seeing as how it's at 332 right now and I think that's what's been killing my cories because my water is otherwise pristine.

discgo · 02-02-2013, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne Dwops

i don't feel like doing that ok, I am lazy as well as stupid. I linked my dad to the posts Primer on Pressurized CO2 and how to build a regulator posts though and it looks easy as balls to man who has 40 years of engineering experience. But I am still going to get the Hagen kit, for $30 it will get me started, but I am just wondering how I keep the PH/GH stable? I would like the PH to no lower than 7.2...GH I want to keep at 7 and KH I don't want to go any higher than 4. Will it effect TDS? It could stand to be much lower, seeing as how it's at 332 right now and I think that's what's been killing my cories because my water is otherwise pristine.

You could probably control the the ph, gh, and kh by keeping precise track of how much yeast goes into each batch as well as the amount of sugar and water too. You would need to keep a journal with lots of testing and recording in order to accomplish this.

Wayne Dwops · 02-02-2013, 03:27 AM

but is the ph and gh going to go down too low to be cherry shrimp safe?

Darkblade48 · 02-02-2013, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne Dwops

but is the ph and gh going to go down too low to be cherry shrimp safe?

pH swings as a result of injecting CO2 are not harmful.

Injecting CO2 will not lower gH.

As mentioned, the Hagen CO2 system you linked above is just a fancy DIY package (you can make DIY CO2 yourself, if you do not want to use pressurized CO2).

OrangeSoda · 02-02-2013, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne Dwops

Is there an easy kit that is recommended?

Try sending a message to a member here named Bettatail. I believe that he makes CO2 setups. I don't know what he charges, but it should have everything.

Wayne Dwops · 02-05-2013, 02:27 AM

I got the DIY CO2 kit today and set it up using 1/2 tsp yeast, 1tsp baking soda...realized that yes I should have just used a soda bottle..but anyway do I need to turn an air pump on when I turn the lights off at night? Right now I just use their AQ70 to provide oxygen. Also, do I need to get a drop checker or do I just need to monitor the PH? And the PH going down even below 7 is okay for RCS?

My dad said he can build a CO2 system but he thinks just getting a 5lb cylinder will be easier than a 20oz so it might be a while until we can afford the regulator+filled cylinder.

FlyingHellFish · 02-05-2013, 02:57 AM

Buy one of those Aquatek regulators and be done with it...

02-02-2013, 02:06 AM	#1
Wayne Dwops Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: san jose Posts: 173	I want to do C02! I need something easy enough for idiots Ha! I've read the primer to DIY CO2 and my dad can build it in a jiff but I really don't understand, at all, how the system works and I need something cheap and safe for my shrimp. Since my tank is only 20gallons and I am a complete idiot I'm thinking of just getting this: http://www.amazon.com/Hagen-Nutrafin...rds=co2+system and this ceramic diffuser http://www.amazon.com/Fluval-Ceramic..._petsupplies_3 Is this system invertebrate safe though? How do I measure how much CO2 is in the tank to make sure my shrimp are not getting gassed? Is that what a bubble counter is for? Also, will I need to use something to keep my PH and/or GH high enough for my RCS? And, is there anything else I need to buy for the sugar/yeast method kit? thanks.

02-02-2013, 02:09 AM	#2
discgo Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: out wandering around Posts: 77	Save your money imo, $40 will get you a third of the way to a pressurized setup. The hagen kit is just a fancy way of making a "diy co2". Also, you won't need the diffuser if the kit comes with a co2 ladder. __________________ The Tinker Tank Sessions "20 The Long Way"

02-02-2013, 02:57 AM	#5
discgo Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: out wandering around Posts: 77	The hagen system you linked to earlier is just a yeast generator "diy" style system. It can be made out of 2l bottles and airline parts. If you go that route you don't even really need a diffuser, you could just use a piece of cotton ball shoved up in the air hose to make tiny bubbles. __________________ The Tinker Tank Sessions "20 The Long Way"

02-05-2013, 02:57 AM	#12
FlyingHellFish Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 883	Buy one of those Aquatek regulators and be done with it... __________________ Fluval Edge 6g ADA 60P DIY Diffuser Youtube Video.

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02-02-2013, 02:17 AM	#3
Wayne Dwops Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: san jose Posts: 173	sorry i read the primer to PRESSURIZED co2. See, I am an idiot. Like I said I don't really get how pressurized CO2 works. I mean I get it, but I don't get the system. I see these "all in one" kits but they never seem to actually contain everything. Is there an easy kit that is recommended? I really don't want a huge fancy set up for my small tank..

02-02-2013, 03:15 AM	#6
Wayne Dwops Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: san jose Posts: 173	i don't feel like doing that ok, I am lazy as well as stupid. I linked my dad to the posts Primer on Pressurized CO2 and how to build a regulator posts though and it looks easy as balls to man who has 40 years of engineering experience. But I am still going to get the Hagen kit, for $30 it will get me started, but I am just wondering how I keep the PH/GH stable? I would like the PH to no lower than 7.2...GH I want to keep at 7 and KH I don't want to go any higher than 4. Will it effect TDS? It could stand to be much lower, seeing as how it's at 332 right now and I think that's what's been killing my cories because my water is otherwise pristine.

02-02-2013, 03:27 AM	#8
Wayne Dwops Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: san jose Posts: 173	but is the ph and gh going to go down too low to be cherry shrimp safe?

02-05-2013, 02:27 AM	#11
Wayne Dwops Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: san jose Posts: 173	I got the DIY CO2 kit today and set it up using 1/2 tsp yeast, 1tsp baking soda...realized that yes I should have just used a soda bottle..but anyway do I need to turn an air pump on when I turn the lights off at night? Right now I just use their AQ70 to provide oxygen. Also, do I need to get a drop checker or do I just need to monitor the PH? And the PH going down even below 7 is okay for RCS? My dad said he can build a CO2 system but he thinks just getting a 5lb cylinder will be easier than a 20oz so it might be a while until we can afford the regulator+filled cylinder.