stcyrwm

I've read that thread several times and wondered what are the chances anyone is still doing that. The thought that you're the same guy and you've been doing it since 1995, well that pratically makes you a living legend. I think it's way cool. I mean think about how many people have read that and said "this guy is insane, I bet he's either dropped the hobby or doing pressurized by now". 10 years later and you're still doing it while probably most of them have dropped it by now.

Are you still using the same setup? Any chance you'd share more details of your experience over the years? Did I mention that I think this is way cool? .............................

 

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HeyPK

I am always breathing, and it is a simple matter to fill up a bag while I am doing something else and then attach it to the air pump and set the timer. It is free CO2, and it is truly DIY CO2. If I am in a hurry, I can step up and down on a stool and crank it out a lot faster.

Just think; while you have been going over the latest posts in APC, you could have filled up two bags!

Art_Giacosa

I would put that under non-pressurized CO2 option.

Art_Giacosa

Of that, there is no doubt.

stcyrwm

Art,

Which category does Excel fall into for the Aquaplant Layout Contest?

Bill

stcyrwm

This poll makes it look like 98% of our tanks are either CO2 pressurized or non-pressurized and only 2% non CO2. If you look at how folks responded in their posts then the numbers actually play out different. I added folks tanks up from the description in the posts or from their signature line and then it comes to 62% CO2 and 38% non CO2. (I think of Excel in the non CO2 category. This may have been a mistake which would alter the numbers.)

Non CO2 strategies are often played down and this poll reflects that. This isn't a big deal except I think a lot of newbies get inadvertently steered in this direction when they would be better off starting with a non CO2 tank. IME it goes something like this: I have no clue what I'm doing but 98% of the folks out there are using CO2. Most of the plant descriptions I read say I need high light and CO2. I can't afford pressurized CO2 so I'll go the DIY CO2 route. For a lot of people this doesn't work and they get discouraged at this point.

IME it would be better for the hobby to have more support and direction for a non CO2 option for these folks.

Bill

HeyPK

People who use CO2 fertilization, either pressurized or non pressurized, probably also have tanks where the only source of the CO2 is from the fish. They probably only replied to the poll about their method of CO2 addition.

EcleckticGirl

I use DIY in my 20 gallon tank and Excel in my 7 gallon.

If HeyPK has been doing the self CO2 thing for 10 years I am tempted to try it. I figure put the bag in a box in the storage area in my tank stand... maybe see if it works with my venturi reactor even. I am only doing the one tank, so I wouldn't even have to do a whole garbage bag (at least not the size I think he's using).

Safak YUREKLI

YEs I Do. I use Pressurised CO2. Thank you for polling.
Safak YUREKLI

Bob Vivian

I've been using pressurized for oh, maybe 15 yrs. Would not go any other way.
If you refill CO2 tanks at a legitimate supplier they have to, by law, test the tank's integrity. Once tested the supplier will tag the tank and you're good for what...5,7 yrs.
If the supplier doesn't see a tag on a tank to be filled, he cannot fill it without testing it. The cost of the test may be around $15 (?).
There's a pressure release valve on the tank that, in case of extreme internal pressure (usually caused by over filling or extreme temps), will safely allow the CO2 to escape. The long,loud whoosh will scare the bejaspers out of you but nothing more serious.
If you use a sound, tested tank and have it refilled by a reputable supplier you can ease your mind about pressurized.

Bob

 

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