Nutrafin A7690 CO2 System

2644 Views 5 Replies 2 Participants Last post by omgwhiskey, Apr 18, 2014

kuopan

Discussion Starter · Apr 17, 2014

I'm new to planted aquariums and wanted an easy Co2 system to try out instead of creating my own DIY system. As such, I just bought and received the Nutrafin A7690 CO2 System from Amazon.

Nutrafin A7690 CO2 Natural Plant System with CO2 Activator and Stabilizer: Amazon.ca: Pet Supplies

I opened the package and the system looked so simple that I am a bit skeptical that it will do the job. It comes with a fermentation canister, a bubble counter/diffuser (via a co2 ladder), and a tubing. Of course it also comes with the activator and stabilizer packets.

From my basic understanding, you would just mix the packets in the canister, shut the lid, hook it up via the tubing to the co2 ladder and then wait a couple of hours before it starts creating Co2 which is diffused via the co2 ladder.

Has anyone had experience setting this up? I have a couple of questions that I'm hoping someone can clarify for me:

1) When the fermentation process is complete and the canister needs to be refilled, how will I know? It stops creating the co2 bubbles? The instructions also note that the air tube may becoming filled with water when the fermentation process is complete. Does this mean that the canister will overflow with water? Do I prevent this by placing the canister at the same or higher level than the tank? Alternatively, can I use a check valve to stop the the tube/canister from filling up with water? I m just extremely worried about water leakages since I live in a condo.

2) This one may be a really stupid question.. Assuming that there's a lot of built up pressure in the canister (since that's what releases the Co2), what will be the impact of accidentally dropping/tilting over the canister? Will it explode? cause a significant amount of Co2 to be released in the aquarium? etc? Curious about worst case scenarios..

3) Has anyone had success mixing their own yeast? I don't plan on buying the nutrafin packets if it's simple to mix it myself especially since it's relatively expensive.

4) I understand that there is a general consensus that the co2 ladder is not the most effective way to diffuse Co2. Would it be possible for me to replace the co2 ladder with a glass or ceramic diffuser? Has anyone tried it?

Thanks everyone!

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omgwhiskey

· #2 · Apr 17, 2014

I have this system, it is very simple to use.

Once the fermentation process is done, or almost there you will see little to no bubbles in the ladder, time for a fresh mix.

The canister will not explode, there will never be enough pressure for this to happen. This is a very simple system.

I would recommend adding a check valve although not necessary, in my experience water was never an issue going into the canister, keep it at the same level with the tank and you should be good.

Once you run out of packets mix your own: add sugar to the marked level, 1/2 tsp of bakers yeast, water and you're good. I've had better experience with mixing my eon than with packets. I replace mine every week or so.

The ladder does the job but gets dirty and sometimes traps small fish. I replaced mine with a nano glass diffuser, works and looks great. Using a power head now.

Hope this helps!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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kuopan

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 17, 2014

omgwhiskey said:
I have this system, it is very simple to use.

Once the fermentation process is done, or almost there you will see little to no bubbles in the ladder, time for a fresh mix.

The canister will not explode, there will never be enough pressure for this to happen. This is a very simple system.

I would recommend adding a check valve although not necessary, in my experience water was never an issue going into the canister, keep it at the same level with the tank and you should be good.

Once you run out of packets mix your own: add sugar to the marked level, 1/2 tsp of bakers yeast, water and you're good. I've had better experience with mixing my eon than with packets. I replace mine every week or so.

The ladder does the job but gets dirty and sometimes traps small fish. I replaced mine with a nano glass diffuser, works and looks great. Using a power head now.

Hope this helps!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

that's a lot of help! thanks!

How does a powerhead differ from the glass diffuser? is it more effective? and how would it connect to the co2? A bit confused on the mechanics here...

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omgwhiskey

· #4 · Apr 17, 2014 (Edited by Moderator)

The power head I use has a little attachment to plug in an airline, hooked it up to the canister instead.

For me the benefits are zero cleaning/maintenance as glass diffusers clog up after a few days, also better diffusement and co2 circulation.

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Here's how the glass one looked like in my other tank.

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kuopan

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 17, 2014

omgwhiskey said:
Here's how the glass one looked like in my other tank.

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Thanks for the help and pictures! makes it a lot easier to understand.
I'm thinking about getting this diffuser for now. It looks like a 3 in 1, diffuser bubble counter and check valve. what do you think?

http://www.aquainspiration.com/nproductdetail.asp?PIN=CO&PNAME=up&PSIZE=3in1cd&PTYPE=Diffuser Reactor

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omgwhiskey

· #6 · Apr 18, 2014

Looks good!

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