DIY / making your own co2 system/ machine?

Question

i was thinking about making my own but i was wondering how you get on with them and if they produce any other gases. I was going to use my own because i only have about 10 plants that don't really need co2. I was going too switch it on while the lights are on and then switch on an air pump next to it to break the water surface. Should i add an airstone too the end to produce finer bubble or will it be ok. I have read about putting through your filter to make even finer bubbles but in the fluval 205 handbook it says to not have any air bubbles near the intake, what do you use and is there any other co2 diffusers.

sugar and yeast mixture

Answer 1

Putting it through the Fluval would actually be fine. The impeller is on the output side of the filter, so the bubbles will already have dissolved by the time they get there, making them harmless to any part of the filter. Are you doing a DIY CO2 bottle of yeast and sugar or a DIY pressurized canister? The bottle will produce pure CO2 (as the yeast breaks down the sugar), and the canister would be almost pure CO2 (100% CO2 is illegal), which is still more than enough for your plants. Using an airstone would be fine, but using the filter would be MUCH better. Also, to keep as much CO2 as possible in the water, you should lessen the surface agitation (surface agitation allows CO2 to escape). You can also buy glass diffusers online like this: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=9915&N=2004+113779 Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Soop Nazi

EDIT: For the yeast+sugar method, I have used a 2 liter bottle with 2 cups of sugar, one teaspoon of bakers or brewers yeast, and 1.5 liters of water. You should refill this every 3-4 weeks as well as thoroughly reading this great article which fully covers your choices.

http://www.fishlesscycling.com/articles/co2_discussion.html

Answer 2

what you do is run the air stone at any time the lights are off, because at this point the plants no longer use the co2 and you want it to disperse. th air pump and lights should be on tmers running oppost eah other. bubble count does not mean anything at all, it is just a way to visuall see how muh is getting pumped into the tank. in order to see your levels you should have a drop checker, and use only water with a KH of 4 in it. when the drop checker is green, you are good to go. yellow means it is getting unsafe for the fish and livestock. stat with a weaker solution so you don't suffacate your fish, and gradually work it stronger until you get the desired results.

Answer 3

Just buy your stuff in Holland, it's easier than growing it.