Tropical Fish Forums

[nikelodeon79]

I think I'm going to go ahead and get a pressurized CO2 system for my tank. I was originally thinking of this one:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=23680 (the 88 kit).

I was told on the planted tank forum that I would spend a fortune on CO2 cartridges... with my lighting (78w T5 HO) I'd be changing the cartridge every other week or so.

For some reason, I just can't wrap my mind around a DIY pressurized system and I need it to be small enough so I can fit it under my stand. The tank is only a 26-29g flat back hex. I've been looking for something ready made.

I'm looking at the following regulator: http://www.ebay.com/itm/230732857695?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_2587wt_1037

The tank is filtered with an Eheim Classic 2215 and I know there's some way I can diffuse the CO2 through the canister filter.. I'm just not sure exactly how. I believe I need an "inline reactor," any recommendations? Is this what I need: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=24117

Someone recommended this in another person's thread about Pressurized CO2: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sponsors-power-seller-specials/135909-brass-bubble-counters-jbj-style-back.html Is that something I'd need?

Obviously I also need airline tubing (any specific kind?) and a tank... I'm going to check locally to see if I can buy a cheap 5g tank.

Anything else I need?
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Dumpster Tank
Nano Fish
Mbuna

[rsnsani]

Hi,
I have this http://www.milwaukeeinstruments.com/co2regulator.html attached to an aluminum pressurized cylinder and it has worked great for me.
You do need the solenoid unless you have the light on 24 hrs (which I would not do personally).
I have both the lights and the CO2 system hooked up with the same timer. When lights go off, so does the CO2 supply. Otherwise CO2 will build up in dark since plants will not consume it without the light. This will lower the pH and can also choke the fish.
Hope it helps.
Ruslan

[Arctic]

Hi Nikelodeon79,

I ordered the CHOICE CO2 system from Green Leaf Aquariums yesterday http://greenleafaquariums.com/co2-systems.html

Someone from Green Leaf Aquarium also posted this youtube video demonstrating how to set up a pressurized system:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKd31YTURbs

With regards to the 5G CO2 tank, you might be able to buy one at a brewing shop (useful for kegerators or just kegs ).

I hope this helps a little bit!

[DaleJr]

First off, what size is the tank? Sorry if I missed it.

[nikelodeon79]

It is a 26g flat back hex. Dimensions are here: http://www.aquahobby.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=53216&highlight=hex
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Dumpster Tank
Nano Fish
Mbuna

[DaleJr]

26g is fine for DIY (diffuser - could be the glass nano on ebay) the issue you need to make sure you keep an eye on is consistancy, you will also need a Drop Checker with calibrated 4dKh solution.

DIY is possible in this size. Or even the DYI paintball system, which is a little easier.

[nikelodeon79]

I have ordered a drop checker. I was running DIY on this tank but the fish were very stressed. As soon as the CO2 started running low, they started to perk up and they're fine now that it's gone. Obviously, something was wrong.

I was using a bubble ladder to diffuse the CO2. I have since ordered and received an Ista Mix Max inline diffuser to add to my Eheim 2215 http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=24117 I am being told on Tom Barr's site that I should modify one of my Duetto filters to diffuse the CO2 instead, and turn off the Duetto at night: Link on modifying the Duetto: http://www.barrreport.com/showthread.php/6231-DIY-CO2-reactor-surface-skimmer?p=40663#post40663

I have not opened the Ista yet, but am kind of bummed at the thought of sending it back. Do you feel the Ista would be a good option, or should I go with the Duetto?

I believe I do not have enough surface agitation. The Eheim creates a fair bit of current, but not much surface agitation because the spraybar is pretty low in the water. I have been running an airstone whenever the lights are off, but apparently that wasn't enough. I need to somehow create more surface agitation/water movement. A powerhead has been suggested, but with how much current the Eheim creates, I don't want to blow my fish around the tank.

I believe a huge part of my issues is that my water runs through a water softener, which (if I'm understanding it correctly) replaces all the calcium ions with sodium ions. In other words, it takes something that is good for my aquarium and replaces it with something that is bad for my aquarium (in large quantities, at least). We're going to be attempting to set up a system to bypass the water softener this weekend.

I am also going to raise the light fixture up to about 28" above the substrate this weekend, as I'm currently growing an algae garden with that much wattage of T5HO light.
_________________
Dumpster Tank
Nano Fish
Mbuna

[DaleJr]

Why not raise the spraybar a little? Is that possible? What I do with mine from time to time is tilt the bar upwards so that there is enough (but not to much) surface aggitation.

As far as the diffuser goes Tom is by far more knowledgeable than myself and I would listen to him closely.
Honestly you must really be pumping some good co2 inorder to stress the fish and be concerned with surface movement.

Can the Eheim be dialed back some? With my Cascade I have a lever that controls the inlet and outlet, does Eheim?

[nikelodeon79]

[DaleJr]

[quote="nikelodeon79
My KH is 4 so that would mean my CO2 would be at 30 which as I understand it is too much. If the pH is 7 like hubby thinks, it would be 12 which would be good, but since the fish were stressed (hid all of the time, swam around with their heads downward, were super pale in color), I suspect there was too much.
[/quote]

30 is Ideal, 32 is better.