Low Tech Low Light 10 gallon, am considering playing with DIY CO2

[HybridHerp]

So, I have been posting a ton about my big tank that I want to go hi-tech with. However, I was reading through the thread with a list of low light plants in this forum, and I got to thinking about the low tech 10 that I have running. I notice that my H.polysperma is not all that it could be, and I feel less than satisfied with its growth and feel like it has some issues. Apparently there are some plants that can thrive in low light provided that there is some co2 injection. Now, I am not entirely sure if H.polysperma is one such species or not, but I figure that I have a lot of room to let plants grow and to add plants into this tank. Right now I have mainly crypts and java fern with a small little carpet of dwarf sag and a happy as a clam little moss ball. My java moss could be doing better, as could my already mention hygro.
Would DIY co2 help at all? And what would the best recipe be, in your experiences? I want to also keep in mind that the tank might have to endure periods of at least 2 weeks (max 3) of not having a water change (though I believe that to be more important with ferts than co2)
I run 2 hob filters and a little sponge filter, so I have a good deal of surface movement. I'm just brainstorming ideas as it is.

[steven p]

Some added CO2 should be welcome by the plants. Look into the Barr reactor/diffuser.

[talontsiawd]

You will still benefit from CO2. I have seen some awesome low light moss tanks that have tons of CO2 injected. Just saying, adding CO2 is always welcome, even in low light.

[HybridHerp]

what would you suggest? Its a simple 10 gallon so I'd probably just want to do a little diy project out of it if its possible. Any particular things people have done with success?

[Hoppy]

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=178503 There are other threads in the DIY forum that are very good.

[Diana]

I have used 2 liter soda bottle type of sugar/yeast set up, then hooked up a Tee so the 2-liter bottle serves 2 ten gallon tanks.
I have not had much luck with smaller containers (for example 1 liter) as the home for the yeast.

Have a look in the DIY forum, there are lots of recipes for this. Here is what I do:

Run some hot tap water. Use a thermometer (candy, aquarium...) to see that it is within 1* of 100*F. You only need a few tablespoons, half a cup. Add the yeast to this and stir occasionally while doing the rest of this. (I use 1/4 teaspoon of yeast. More will get it going faster, you could use 1/2 teaspoon)
Heat some water on the stove. Pretty close to boiling. About 2 cups.
Pour the sugar (2 cups) into a heat proof mixing bowl (I have stainless steel bowls) and pour in the hot water. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
Add more water (about 2 more cups, tap-cold) to cool off the mix, so it is cool enough to touch.
Many people add any of the following:
Baking soda (keeps the mix from going too acidic too fast. My tap water does this OK, so I do not use baking soda)
Other minerals, for example I use a pinch of the dry ferts (KH2PO4) for some minerals. (Try 1/16 teaspoon or less for a single bottle)

Use a funnel and pour the cooled sugar water mix in the 2 liter bottle. If it is not full enough, add more cool water. About 3-4" below the top of the bottle is fine. If the label is still on the bottle I fill the bottle until I can see some fluid above the label, but not much.

Add the yeast-water.

Shake. A lot. I use an intact lid for this, then switch over to the lid with the tubing.