Nutrafin Natural Co2 System

[DeepSeaFishin]

Hello all, I am asking about thie Nutrafin Co2 System. I know you can whip up some DIY bottles, but to be honest, for 15 bucks Id rather get a good looking and proven to work system such as the Nutrafin Co2 system. Have any of you used this system and how long will this thing work until it starts to leak / breakdown? I have a 10 or 30 gallon that I could use this thing in, and was wondering. Since it says its only for tanks up to 20 gallons, what is 10 more gallons? Im guessing it would still greatly benefit plants in a 30 gallon tank rather than nothing. How good does this thing work?

I was planning on adding this and just continue keeping my tanks without adding fertilizers and chemicals for the live plants I have. Is it REALLY necessary to add fertilizers and chemicals? I assume the fish waste and excess food to the bottom will provide enough nutrients for a fair amount of plants to thrive.

What do you all think? Also I know it sells packets, but im sure you can whip up some DIY yeast to make co2, how would one go about doing that?

All information is appreciated.

Tom

 

[PortWash]

I purchased the nutrafin system a little over a month ago for my 29g tank. I found great success with the system. I would suggest reading through the pinned post on the nutrafin system. The pinned post can provide you with the amounts of yeast and sugar. One lesson I learned is to not fill the water to the line and leave some space. There were several replies stating they had yeast overflow into the tank. I havent ever had that experience. Everyone also says that the tablets that come with it are garbage and thus i havent even tried them.

With regards to ferts or EI and thier necessity that depends on what you are going for. However, I would suggest that if you are going to add CO2 adds ferts. Why do it half ass is how I look at it. Also check the pinned post on EI and while you are at that I would also suggest the pin on lighthing. They are amazingly informative.

 

[jpedersen024]

I've used one over the last year (and I got it used..!) on my 55 g. I know. Not geared for something that large, and yet... certainly hasn't hurt it any!!

I keep easy plants anyways, but there is a definite difference in the growth when I keep up with the CO2 (all DIY mix) and when I slack off. I've got 2 wpg lighting. I also add liquid ferts every so often. Otherwise the brown tips/ transluscent leaves start telling me they need a little sum'n sum'n...

I got the recipe for the DIY mix on here... I forget whether it was pinned.. I think I just did a search. I had to tweak it a bit for the small container, but it's fabulous and never fails to bubble away. I will vouch for a lowered fill point though. Can attest to yeast overflow. Not pretty.

Good luck!

 

[dirtyfishtank]

If yer just gonna use yeast with nutrafin, just use a DIY method. Its cheaper. And no fish waste does not fertalize the plants properly. You'd be doing better good to dose EI than add CO2.

 

[angelmouse]

i`ve got 2 on my 55 gallon, works a treat. I agree with others, don`t use packs that go with it there rubish, use diy mix. And definately agree with not filling up to line, mine has overflowed a few times, i now leave the new mix standing for afew hours before i connect it.
Angel

 

[wally6346]

other people have said this but they work alot better with the DIY mix, I have two in my 60l and they work really well

 

[DeepSeaFishin]

Alright, I read up on the EI and I will probibly order the chemicals over the internet, but, what IF I didnt use EI, would the Co2 still greatly benefit the plants and promote growth? Or is Co2 more so an added bonus and EI would be highly effective. Or are they both kind of on par with each other and both are needed?

And for the ingredients, Is the pinned article in this section (if you look above while browsing topics) the Nutrafin User guide, is the ingredients too much in that pin enough to cause overflow of yeast?

 

[lljdma06]

Injecting CO2 doesn't automatically mean that you are now bound to a fert regimen, such as EI. I inject CO2 into my low-light aquariums and enjoy the benefits without resorting to a dosing regimen. Additional dosing will really depend on your lighting level and your fish bioload.

That being said, I've had very positive experiences with the Nutrafin, once I changed to a DIY mix, of course. In larger tanks, I run two units connected to one bubble ladder via a t-connector and then change the canisters alternately. This creates more stable CO2 levels. In addition, change your canisters after lights go out, the instable bubble flow that happens when the canister is just changed will happen when a stable level is not as needed as plants do not consume CO2 at lights out.

llj

 

[aaronc]

I have just ordered one of these kits to see if it will help my plants out. They grow very slowly, but I have a low light setup and cant really afford to double the lighting at present.

will let you know how I get on

Aaron

 

[PortWash]

And for the ingredients, Is the pinned article in this section (if you look above while browsing topics) the Nutrafin User guide, is the ingredients too much in that pin enough to cause overflow of yeast?
[/quote]

The quantity of the ingredients is less a cause than the quantity of water in the canister. That is what i could assertain. Also the bubbling co2 is a function of the relationship b/w sugar,yeast and h20, thus i would suggest lower the quantities for the 1st couple go rounds and slowly increase until the optimal level is reached (frequency of bubbles) I believe its more yeast less water more bubbles for a shorter time. For my 29g set up I use less slightly less yeast and water than the post states.

 

[DeepSeaFishin]

While we are talking about Co2 Injection, I also was wondering about air stones. I read up that having an air stone running after lights off gets rid of excess Co2, in that case, would I get rid of my current air stone in my tank? Or is the difference not that great to even worry about it.

Sorry for the boat load of questions, I just never tried the whole fertilizier / Co2 set up before.

 

[cheesy feet]

While we are talking about Co2 Injection, I also was wondering about air stones. I read up that having an air stone running after lights off gets rid of excess Co2, in that case, would I get rid of my current air stone in my tank? Or is the difference not that great to even worry about it.

Sorry for the boat load of questions, I just never tried the whole fertilizier / Co2 set up before.

I think I would take it out during the day.I have not seen a planted tank with any airstones up and running when the lights are on.Just use it at night