CO2 difuser

[spottedbovine]

Made a C02 diffuser on sunday with a 500ml botle, my internal filter and yeast bottles..........works really well, will post pics when my camera comes back from overseas

 

[sinistral]

I for one will be interested to see pics. What plans did you use to devise the diffuser? Or did you create this yourself??

 

[tstenback]

Great. I would also be interested in the pics and plans. Have been thinking about something like this for a while now. Keep us posted.

 

[spottedbovine]

Unfortunatley my camera is in the UK and I will only see it again in 2 weeks, ;( will post pics, I saw plans for similar things on the net and I decided that my internal power filter could be used to breakdown co2 bubbles (from DIY) in a 500ml soda bottle.............seems 2 work well

 

[cutecotton]

umm just a question...i'm thinking of mkaing a diy co2 for my 10G tank wiht 4 live plants in it, and i undersatnd everything excpet...how do you diffuse the co2 into the water?

i read this site and it said something about using ur filter...my filter is just a regulra filter and i don't undersatnd where i would put the plastic tube in... sorry if hte question sounds stupid but i really can't figure it out

 

[Rose]

A lot of the DIY CO2 systems use the filter as you know. They do this by putting the tubbing from the CO2 bottle up under the intake. When the filter is sucking up the water it is also sucking up the CO2 bubbles and making them smaller when they hit the impeller which will then be put back into the water from the top of the filter. Hope this clarifies a bit.

Rose

 

[cutecotton]

ohhh i get it!! thanks a lot, so basically i put the tube where the filter takes in the water and it'll suck up the co2 bubbles as well...but won't the filter system instead the filter destroy the co2 nad stop it from getting back into the water?

also, is co2 dangerous for fish in any way? (i have only bettas)

 

[Nexstar]

Yes too much CO2 can be hazardous to your fish. If you have low lighting CO2 is not going to help.
Low lighting would be about 1 watt per gallon or less. This is not real accurate just a guide or starting point,
The lower the light the less the plants convert the co2 to oxygen, therfore you need plenty of light for them to use up and need more CO2. If lighting is low then they will not consume that CO2 you are adding. Further if you are using CO2 you want plenty of plants fto consume the CO2.

Take your light wattage and divide by the gallons of your tank.
Bear in mind the deeper the tank the more light needed to adequately light the plants on the bottom.
If you had a 20 to 25 watt light on your ten you would have between 2-3,5 watts per gallon.

Light 1.5-2
Med 2-3.5
high 3.5-4.5
V High 4.5+

With proper lighting, co2 and proper ph and kh levels you can supply your plants nicely. You will also want a good substrate.
The CO2 going into your filter will not be keot in the filter it will be blasted into millions of small bubbles and dispersed into the water.
If you are using a cannister filter.
I cant help if you are using a bio wheel filter as I think that would not work at all. But you can get the Vortec Mini Reastor for $50 and it will just take the CO2 directly from your DIY system and disperse the co2 well. It is small and does a very good job. I use one myself.
Almost as cheap as making one.
Has a power head built into it.
Also once they start really growing they will demand constant fertilization. They do require attention but soon could be filling your tank full of plants. \\They are fun. Good luck
Bob

 

[Yenko]

I'd love to explain to you guys just why I don't need more than 1.3 wpg, no fertilization and no CO2 to grow plants (A good variety; Giant and Corkscrew Val, Cryptocryne Wendeti, Melon Sword and sagittarius).

All accomplished for $3 (plus cost of tank and equipment) and 5 hours of work, with 30 minutes maintanence per week.

 

[swozzie]

15ppm of CO2 is good for plants, 30ppm is toxic to fish - how do you regulate your CO2 within these parameters? Since injecting CO2 into the tank lowers the pH, how do you stop your pH fluctuating all over the place?