sussex_cichlids
Member
Introduction to CO2
CO2 is used in a planted tank as part of the carbon cycle known as photosynthesis, plants, algae, and cyanobacteria absorb carbon dioxide, light, and water to produce carbohydrate energy for themselves and oxygen as a waste product.
The Correct concentrations of CO2 in a fish tank is around 30ppm to much gas can cause aquatic life to become asphyxiated so drop checker is vital to keep and eye on the levels of co2 in the water
There are many methods of introducing co2 to a planted tank there's a liquid this is a chemical based method
a Home Brew method a disposable gas bottle method and a refillable bottle gas system.
Liquid Method
This is the easiest contain chemical called Glutaraldehyde but can work out expensive on a large tank there lots of products available now the will do this some better then others you just add few ml of a liquid product daily very easy.
Home Brew
This is were most of us start with a 3ltr bottle and 1/2 cup of sugar and a teaspoon of yeast these home made kits are OK for a start but not good for many reason like uncontrolled CO2 rates. which don't help with controlling BBA.
Disposable kits
These will have everything to get you going from the bottle of gas to all the pipes and diffuser these are used on smaller systems to about 100ltrs and far better then the Home Brew method yes there the cost of getting new bottles when you need a refill but the very easy to setup and use right out the box.
Refillable Compressed System
Has got to be the best method by far yes they can be expensive to setup and hard to find refills but this is the preferred method by most aquascapers giving you more control of levels with fine adjustment of a needle valve and the control of the gas at night time via a solenoid you can use a Fire Extinguisher or CO2 Bottle.
Basic equipment required for a refillable compressed CO2 system.
These are vital in any planted tank injecting CO2 and allow you to monitor the CO2 levels these can be made of glass or plastic a tube/pot that hold a chemical called Bromo Blue mixed with a few mls of 4DKH water then placed 4" below the water level this will change color with the concentration of gas in the tank.
4DKH Water
This water is used in your drop checker because it gives a more accurate reading then tank water you can get this from most good retailers its also available as just pure 4DKH water or premixed with Bromo Blue already to use in your drop checker.
Methods Of Diffusing CO2
Most people use a different method of dissolving the gas into the water the easiest is using a basic co2 diffusers these and made of glass or plastic and have a fine porous ceramic plate the diffuses the gas in to lots of tiny bubbles which you can see get small as they rise throw the water.
You can also use a reactor these connect to an extenal filter and as the water is passed throw the reactor the gas is introduced giving it a high exposure to the water and is meant to be 100% absorption rate that water is then pumped back to the tank by the filter flow although there is a downside to these restricting the flow on the filter a bit.
There are many types of diffuser and rector some better then others.
CO2 is used in a planted tank as part of the carbon cycle known as photosynthesis, plants, algae, and cyanobacteria absorb carbon dioxide, light, and water to produce carbohydrate energy for themselves and oxygen as a waste product.
The Correct concentrations of CO2 in a fish tank is around 30ppm to much gas can cause aquatic life to become asphyxiated so drop checker is vital to keep and eye on the levels of co2 in the water
There are many methods of introducing co2 to a planted tank there's a liquid this is a chemical based method
a Home Brew method a disposable gas bottle method and a refillable bottle gas system.
Liquid Method
This is the easiest contain chemical called Glutaraldehyde but can work out expensive on a large tank there lots of products available now the will do this some better then others you just add few ml of a liquid product daily very easy.
Home Brew
This is were most of us start with a 3ltr bottle and 1/2 cup of sugar and a teaspoon of yeast these home made kits are OK for a start but not good for many reason like uncontrolled CO2 rates. which don't help with controlling BBA.
Disposable kits
These will have everything to get you going from the bottle of gas to all the pipes and diffuser these are used on smaller systems to about 100ltrs and far better then the Home Brew method yes there the cost of getting new bottles when you need a refill but the very easy to setup and use right out the box.
Refillable Compressed System
Has got to be the best method by far yes they can be expensive to setup and hard to find refills but this is the preferred method by most aquascapers giving you more control of levels with fine adjustment of a needle valve and the control of the gas at night time via a solenoid you can use a Fire Extinguisher or CO2 Bottle.
Basic equipment required for a refillable compressed CO2 system.
- F.E or CO2 Bottle
Regulator with needle valve
CO2 Solenoid (so you can have it on a 24hr timer)
24hr 7day Programmable Timer
CO2 Pipe (CANNOT USE AIR LINE ITS NOT SUTABLE)
Bubble Counter
One Way Valve
Diffuser/Reactor
These are vital in any planted tank injecting CO2 and allow you to monitor the CO2 levels these can be made of glass or plastic a tube/pot that hold a chemical called Bromo Blue mixed with a few mls of 4DKH water then placed 4" below the water level this will change color with the concentration of gas in the tank.
- Blue = Low Level
Green = Safe Level
Yellow = To Much
4DKH Water
This water is used in your drop checker because it gives a more accurate reading then tank water you can get this from most good retailers its also available as just pure 4DKH water or premixed with Bromo Blue already to use in your drop checker.
Methods Of Diffusing CO2
Most people use a different method of dissolving the gas into the water the easiest is using a basic co2 diffusers these and made of glass or plastic and have a fine porous ceramic plate the diffuses the gas in to lots of tiny bubbles which you can see get small as they rise throw the water.
You can also use a reactor these connect to an extenal filter and as the water is passed throw the reactor the gas is introduced giving it a high exposure to the water and is meant to be 100% absorption rate that water is then pumped back to the tank by the filter flow although there is a downside to these restricting the flow on the filter a bit.
There are many types of diffuser and rector some better then others.
