CO2 emitter

[df92484]

Wanted to run an idea I had by the forum to see if it is a good one. I want to build a home made co2 emiter by running an air line from a separate sealed container into my aquarium and creating a dry ice fog in the container to feed into the tank. Is this a good idea? Is this dangerous?

The air line would create a release for the pressure so it wouldnt be a bomb, but I am not sure about the gas that evaporating dry ice creates. I have heard that it is good for plants I just dont want to be feeding a poison into my aquarium.

Thanks for the any advice or tips in this regard.

 

[SludgeMunkey]

Re: CO2 emiter

The problem with dry ice based CO2 systems is temperature. That is, the ambient air temperature will cause the dry ice to vaporize at a rate much higher than what is needed for aquarium plants requiring use of a regulator and vessel/tubing that can handle high pressures.. The second issue is the actual temperature of the CO2 vapor, which will also contain water vapor. This will create cryogenic freezing conditions in and on your tubing, resulting in ruptured hoses and a possible "dry ice bomb" effect. Dry Ice is also dangerous to handle, even with the proper protective equipment. I do NOT recommend using it for this purpose.

A better alternative homemade CO2 system for planted aquaria is the yeast reactor method. This is an easily controlled reaction at room temperature; requires cheap, easy to get materials, and has no special handling requirements. It works on the principal that when active yeast is fed pure cane sugar, it generates CO2 and heat as waste. The heat level is very low and the carbon dioxide gas produced is at a low, easy to handle pressure. No special regulator valves are needed nor is expensive temperature resistant tubing required. All that is needed is yeast, sugar, water, some standard aquarium tubing and valves and a bit of time. I have used this set up, both in DIY and commercial set ups with great success.

The hardest part about using a CO2 system for planted aquaria is maintaining the proper saturation levels. Each species of plants have different requirements. For instance, Java moss has very low needs, while Elodea and Cabomba have comparatively higher requirements. A diffuser is required, my experience has been that the "Jacob's Ladder" type works best.

I suggest you research the alternative method listed here, or if you would like, let me know and I will post up plans of the low cost DIY system I have used with success for over ten years.

I would like to add here that I do not recommend CO2 systems for tanks with live fish or caudates in them, this is strictly for aquatic gardens containing plants only!

 

[merk199]

I don't know about CO2 and caudates. But do you have any data to back up not using CO2 on a planted fish tank. I successfully run pressurized CO2 on a planted tank. I have not had any issues with stress to the fish or deaths. Personally I recommend pressurized CO2 because you can control the output and keep the flow consistant. Believe me CO2 can kill your fish easily when people run it at too high of levels, or have a single reg. and there is an end of tank dump. Some of the levels people are running into their tanks seem awful high to me. I like to err on the side of caution and run at approx 20ppm, instead of 30ppm or higher.

To me a freshwater plant aquatist I don't see the value of adding the CO2 to a caudate tank. **Just as a general disclaimer** I do not have any caudata tanks yet. I am in the research and dev phase of that process. But it seems to me that the selection of plants that would grow in a caudate tank would be low light and tolerant to the lower temps. Lower light plants do not need C02 to be successful. While it may be beneficial for them it is not necessary. So with the risk of putting the caudates health in jeopardy I am not sure the benifits outweigh the risks. But that is just my 0.02.

 

[gcollin]

Hey rick!. Another idea for you, other than dry ice, is http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=11065179 these are what you would call co2 cartridges, you can buy these at your local walmart, they should be in the sports section, then go to the paintball isle, and there should be a brand of co2 cartridges, called "crosman" (a tip: make sure they are co2 and not green gas) but I would still ask around on the forum if these would be ok.


-Collin

 

[jclee]

I've thought about making a DIY CO2 emitter for my planted tank (with fish -- no caudates), but I've already grown plants that are doing fine without, so I'll not make the move yet. If you're interested, plantgeek.net has its own forum section for CO2: http://www.plantgeek.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=17

I theplantedtank.com had another forum thread w/ detailed directions: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/89304-diy-co2.html

When upping CO2, to my understanding, you may have to up lighting and fertilization, as well. (There's a precarious balance between these things, and I wouldn't add ferts to any tank with amphibians.)

I'm really not sure how this would affect caudates, but it would probably be easier and safer to stick with plants that prefer the environment you've already created. (Java fern and anubias survive low light and cool water; they're pretty tough to kill. I've also got some willow moss (frontinalis) growing on rocks, as that is said to prefer cold water, though it may not be getting enough light.) The first link has a plant index wherein you can search for plants based on lighting needs or difficulty, so I would have a look through that before trying anything more elaborate.

Keep us posted. I'd like to have my axolotl tank fairly well planted, so I'd be curious to know what works for you in the end.