Two DIY questions lighting and co2

[StanTheBetta]

First of all, if I were going to build a DIY co2 system with a 2 liter bottle would a hot glue gun work to glue the air line nipple or tubing into the bottle cap? The reason I ask is I have lots of that laying around and I'd rather not go buy a tube of aquarium sealant (even though its cheap). I would think that would hold it, but I've never done this before so I don't know how much pressure this creates on the bottle.


Also I was wondering if anyone has tried to retrofit 2 13 watt fluorescent lights into a 10 gallon hood like the article here. The reason I ask is I've had to change those 13 watt bulbs before and they get HOT, extremely HOT. If anyone has done this, does the heat generated by these bulbs affect the water temperature dramatically? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[EddieW]

Stan,

I replaced 2 x 8w standard fluorescents with 2 x 18w compact fluorescents - here are some pics (on a different forum).

The hood gets quite hot but not excessively so, there is some additional heat to the water but again not an excessive amount - you do need to keep a good airflow around the tubes though.

Can't help you on the CO2 side.

Cheers, Eddie

 

[Lateral Line]

The pressure inside sugar/yeast CO2 systems is not high. Remember, the system is open to the tank, so if the pressure did rise, it would simply bubble out of the diffuser. I would expect a hot glue gun would work fine although I've never tried.

 

[cutecotton]

it woudl be fine most likely, and actually a good idea. i'm just wondering how are you supposet to diffuse the co2 into the water? i've heard that you can put it inot hte filter bu ti have no idea how that works btw, are co2 dangerous in any way to fish?

 

[coconutman39]

cotton- CO2 is to give plants more to use to make food, therefore making more oxygen, therefore having more oxygen in your tank for the fish. you now ask what about when it is just in the tank? the plants cycle it fast enough to the point where it balances out. to answer your question it has no effect, and if any it is for the better.

stan- i think that a hot glue gun would work fine and you would have no problem with pressure, seeing how it would just put more into the tank. just test it for us, im making another DIY C02 soon so i would like to know. gl.

 

[coconutman39]

i take it back, the hotness of the glue would melt the tubing. i figured this out the hard way today. poor silicone tubing!! i used cocking and it seems to do fine.