Raising CO2 levels?

Grendel · 02-13-2003, 05:29 AM

Question: How can I raise the level of CO2 in my tank?

*10G, moderately/densely planted (since beginning of January).
*GH 6, KH 4, pH 7.5, CO2 only 4 mg/l.

DIY yeast system, renewed every 8-10 days. Plants seem to be doing OK, including lilaeopsis, which is just now starting to put up a new little shoot each day. A. roseafolia and compacta sword are also doing great. Very little pearling, except beneath h. leucocephala leaves.

Since my CO2 levels are so low, I got to thinking about how nice this little tank would look with higher levels. Any way for me to up this? I assume increasing the KH would increase the CO2 levels, but how would this happen? Any help for my newbie self would be appreciated! Thanks!

G

Rex Grigg · 02-13-2003, 01:10 PM

The only way to increase the CO2 levels are to add more CO2. Are you using a diffuser of any kind? What kind of filter are you using?

Grendel · 02-13-2003, 04:47 PM

I use an Aquaclear mini filter. I have my CO2 coming through an airstone, with the bubbles caught by a plastic cap over it - one big bubble slips out from the cap and gets sucked up the filter intake /very/ irregularly. I might get three bubbles in 10 seconds, or one every two or three or five minutes.

The DIY yeast recipe I use calls for a pinch of baking soda also, but I'm not sure what this does to the whole. Will adding a second bottle of yeast mix with a T connector increase CO2 levels, or will it just prolong the lifespan of the production?

Thanks.

G

Rex Grigg · 02-14-2003, 01:25 AM

The baking soda makes the mixture more basic. The yeast work best in a basic solution. Adding another bottle will give you more CO2 output. Also if you take your filter and cut the lip off of the outflow it will reduce surface agitation which will help keep your CO2 in solution. One thing you might want to do is get one of the Hagen diffuser/bubble counters and add it to your tank. I have one in my 10 gallon and it works like a champ. Here's a link to the Hagen product. http://petsolutions.com/cgi-bin/cgii...075.450000&l=6

02-13-2003, 05:29 AM	#1
Grendel Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (20/100%) Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado Posts: 183	Question: How can I raise the level of CO2 in my tank? 10G, moderately/densely planted (since beginning of January). GH 6, KH 4, pH 7.5, CO2 only 4 mg/l. DIY yeast system, renewed every 8-10 days. Plants seem to be doing OK, including lilaeopsis, which is just now starting to put up a new little shoot each day. A. roseafolia and compacta sword are also doing great. Very little pearling, except beneath h. leucocephala leaves. Since my CO2 levels are so low, I got to thinking about how nice this little tank would look with higher levels. Any way for me to up this? I assume increasing the KH would increase the CO2 levels, but how would this happen? Any help for my newbie self would be appreciated! Thanks! G __________________ Walker of the world's wierd wall. www.taghillcards.com

02-13-2003, 04:47 PM	#3
Grendel Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (20/100%) Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado Posts: 183	I use an Aquaclear mini filter. I have my CO2 coming through an airstone, with the bubbles caught by a plastic cap over it - one big bubble slips out from the cap and gets sucked up the filter intake /very/ irregularly. I might get three bubbles in 10 seconds, or one every two or three or five minutes. The DIY yeast recipe I use calls for a pinch of baking soda also, but I'm not sure what this does to the whole. Will adding a second bottle of yeast mix with a T connector increase CO2 levels, or will it just prolong the lifespan of the production? Thanks. G __________________ Walker of the world's wierd wall. www.taghillcards.com

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02-13-2003, 01:10 PM	#2
Rex Grigg Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (65/100%) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland Orygun Posts: 9,600	The only way to increase the CO2 levels are to add more CO2. Are you using a diffuser of any kind? What kind of filter are you using?

02-14-2003, 01:25 AM	#4
Rex Grigg Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (65/100%) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland Orygun Posts: 9,600	The baking soda makes the mixture more basic. The yeast work best in a basic solution. Adding another bottle will give you more CO2 output. Also if you take your filter and cut the lip off of the outflow it will reduce surface agitation which will help keep your CO2 in solution. One thing you might want to do is get one of the Hagen diffuser/bubble counters and add it to your tank. I have one in my 10 gallon and it works like a champ. Here's a link to the Hagen product. http://petsolutions.com/cgi-bin/cgii...075.450000&l=6