Diy Or Nutrafin

[fish_r_great]

I will be setting up a 20 gallon long and I was wondering what would be bwetter to use for Co2 a Nutrafin kit or 2 or DIY Co2 with a bottle and such. I used to use DIY in my old planted tank but didn't have great success and I noticed that Nutrafin kits are very popular on here.

SO?

 

[Themuleous]

DIY is cheap but you have to make sure you get good seals on all the bit, the kits are more expensive but you get everything you need. For 20quid I would get the kit, looks much neater and as I say you get everything.

 

[fish_r_great]

Thanks I'm gonna get the kit.

 

[MoreCoffee]

DIY is cheap but you have to make sure you get good seals on all the bit, the kits are more expensive but you get everything you need. For 20quid I would get the kit, looks much neater and as I say you get everything.

I'd also go for the kit .... much more reliable when trying to get a gas tight seal. Another point is that the
tubing you get in the kit is CO2 resistant tube, not just airline tubing.

One thing you dont get with the kit it a non-return valve. I'd advise adding one into the tube, they only cost a few pence and you should be able to get one from just about any LFS.

.

 

[fish_r_great]

Thanks I actually think I already have one. Do you think I would need one or two of these kits?

 

[MoreCoffee]

Thanks I actually think I already have one. Do you think I would need one or two of these kits?

If you have one available I'd include it to stop any syphoning action, it certainly won't do any harm.

Each Nutrafin canister is good for upto 70 Ltrs, 20 (US) Gal tank is about 75Ltrs max, less once you take into account substrate, rocks etc so I think you'll be fine with a single kit.

The sachets that come with the Nutrafin kit are expensive and not very reliable at getting the kit bubbling.
The Nutrafin 'Activator' is just bakers yeast and the 'stabiliser' is Bicarbonate of soda - It's just given a fancy name and costs more !! Far better and cheaper to get some in from your local store and use a DIY mix.

A quick search on the forum or web should find a suitable mixture, but basically fill up with sugar as per the instructions add a teaspoon of bicarb of soda to the canister.
Mix half a teaspoon of dried bakers yeast in a cup with a little warm water (NOT hot), once it's disolved add to the canister, top up with warm water as per the instructions and put the top on. Remember to leave a gap at the top - dont be tempted to fill it all the way up.

Usually starts bubbling within 10 mins !

Mr G

,

 

[fish_r_great]

OK Thx

I didn't know if 1 would work because Jimboo has 2 on his 12 and I think he has 3.5 WPG . I will have almost 3 WPG so I might need more. I guess I could always add another one later on.

What about Ferts, what are some ones I should add?

What plants should I add first? I was thinking about ading Java Moss and maybe some java fern first. Then adding Riccia, maybe corkscrew Val. and something else, not sure yet. Depends what I can get my hands on.

THX

 

[fish_r_great]

Oh any idea about a mix? 1 tspn 2 tspn sugar/bicarbonate?