newbie problem with my DIY CO2 - Equipment

klaus777 · 08-08-2008, 07:45 AM

First off let me say hello. This is My first time here. Although not a stranger to aquariums but new for planted tanks. I started my tank (35 gallons - 2.16 wpg) as a planted tank about 6 months ago and definitely had my share of issues to over come. About three months ago I decided I would give the DIY CO2 a chance. The system is a Turbo Red Sea Bio CO2 which is rated for tanks up to 40 gallons. Keeping that in mind I did not expect great results. When I installed the system I did notice a change for the better, the BBA that I was fighting died off nicely and the plants seemed greener but real burst in growth. But I was using a bio wheel filter which I changed out for a aquaclear 70 that I had lying around because i believe I was losing too much CO2 through the pleated wheels (no carbon used in either filter). The CO2 indicator that I have put in the tank has never changed color even with the change in filters. I change the media in the reactor every three weeks and have always seen micro bubbles coming out from the pump until this time. I see no bubbles at all unless I shake the reactor then it spits them out incredibly until there is no more.

So I guess my questions are could I have gotten media that was no good?

Is this reactor sufficient for my tank (again 35 gallons with 2.16wpg
lighting with moderate planting wishing to go heavy)?

klaus777 · 08-09-2008, 12:13 PM

well, I think I've tried everything now. I cleaned out the venturi and the impeller and switched out the media. I even went so far as to get the media from another city.
So now I am faced with the question what are my options. Currently dosing with Excel but what other co2 units could I try. Does anyone know of any that are cheap yet still worth the while to put on?

hoppycalif · 08-09-2008, 01:19 PM

This, http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...2-reactor.html, is a cheap, easy to make CO2 reactor that works great, and it works well with DIY CO2. There are other somewhat similar designs in the DIY forum if you search for them, but none that I remember that were so simple and effective.

klaus777 · 08-09-2008, 01:42 PM

Thanks hoppy,

But I think I'm looking for something a little different. The set up I have now pretty much uses all the same stuff, just with a different pump.

ghengis · 08-10-2008, 04:12 PM

Klaus, welcome. The new filter that you replaced the Bio-Wheel with, is this also a hang on? If so, that may be the cause of your problem. As I am lead to believe, hang on filters, by virtue of the fact that they add oxygen to your tank as the water flows out of the filter, are no good for CO2 situations, as all that lovely gas dissipates under the O2 load. This is why most people use canister filters or internal powerfilters with their CO2 setups.

hth.

klaus777 · 08-11-2008, 05:29 PM

Thanks ghengis,
yes the replacement filter was a hob but that has been replaced with another canister filter that I was reluctant to put on because of the space around the tank it would occupy. I'm just waiting and crossing fingers for a change in co2 levels.

longbowaj · 08-12-2008, 09:48 AM

What solution are you using in the CO2 indicator? You should make a batch of 4dkh water and then add your PH indicator, using fish tank water will not be accurate.

how to make 4dkh water: http://www.aquaticforest.com/guides/...4dkh-solution/

klaus777 · 08-12-2008, 10:03 AM

Longbowaj,

Thanks for the tip. I've been using tank water because that's what the instructions said.