Sunday, September 18, 2011 Nutrafin CO2 Natural Plant System With CO2 Activator & Stabilizer - Nutrafin A7690 Review
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)If you plan on having plants in your aquarium then injecting CO2 into your tank is highly recommended. Having a yeast-based CO2 system for me is the easiest, cheapest and safest way to go (as opposed to a canister-based system). When using a yeast-based system, like this Hagen one, it's impossible to overdose CO2 in your tank which is nice.
Remember, having 2-4 watts of "quality" fluorescent lighting per gallon (compact fluorescent fixtures seems to me to be the best choice) in your aquarium is even more important than adding CO2.
This off the shelf system should be sufficient for beginning aquarists who are starting out with plants (fish don't need extra CO2). While not as efficient or cheap as a DIY one, it does a decent job of putting a fair amount of CO2 in the tank for about 2 week periods at a time. People who also don't want to mix their own yeast mixture will find the packets more convenient (however less effective).
The Hagen diffuser (that dissolves the CO2 bubbles into the water) does a decent job. However, there is waste, meaning, CO2 bubbles escape to the surface before being dissolved. But you still will get a raise in the tank's CO2 level.
So, if you are new to CO2 systems and want something that is minimal investment ($35) and don't want to make your own system, then this is a no brainer system. I think you should get it and help your plants to thrive.
But if you want a cheaper, much more effective system, then do this: For 10-25 gallon tank, use one 2 liter soda bottle. For 25-50, use 2. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of bakers yeast in warm water and then let it sit for 5-10 min. Then dissolve 2 cups of sugar into filtered water and pour into soda bottle. Add the yeast. Drill a hole in the soda bottle cap and either glue an air line to run through it or buy a metal airline connector (like from Lowes or Home Depot) and glue it (using Goop) into the cap. After you have the air line running out from the soda bottle (if you have two then connect them using a T brass connector), run it into your aquarium and dissolve the CO2 using a diffuser (like this Hagen one, howbeit not efficient), an air stone (also not efficient) or into a small pop bottle that a Rio Power Head is forcing water into to completely dissolve the CO2 bubbles. You can search around and find photos on how this is done.
After all of my trial and errors, the above method using soda bottles with a metal airline connector in the cap (glued in with goop) and a Rio Power head is the best, cheapest and most effective system for pumping CO2 into your tank.
If you are purchasing this Hagen system, just remember that for every 20 gallons of water you have in your aquarium, you need to set up another Hagen canister. So for a 40 gallon tank, buy 2 of these. But remember, you will get a nice rise in CO2 levels but not near the level you would using a forced water reactor using a Power head. There are two parts to a CO2 system: the amount and quality of CO2 bubbles being produced and then also the amount those CO2 bubbles are being diffused into the aquarium water. The best is having the bubbles completely disappear into the water. Then you know there is no waste to your CO2 production.
To find out how much CO2 is effectively being dissolved into your tank, search online for the CO2 measurement calculator. This is measured by the ratio of KH and PH in your tank (as long as you haven't used PH buffers).
Hope this helps you in making a valued purchase.
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Product Description:
Nutrafin CO2 Natural Plant System With CO2 Activator & Stabilizer - Nutrafin A7690.
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Thursday, July 14, 2011 Hagen Aquarium Co2 Bubble Counter Review
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This bubble counter is included in the Hagen Plant Grow Natural System. It is probably one of the most efficient methods of dissolving CO2 into the aquarium water when not using a forced water method.
I think this unit is better than using an air stone, bubbling into an upside down cup and certainly better than just letting an air line bubble into the tank.
In my experience, you will still have CO2 loss because not all the bubbles will be dissolved before they run through the unit and bubble to the surface of the water. However, it is still fairly efficient and very easy to set up. All you do is attached the air line that is connected to your CO2 source to the plastic drip tip that is included and then the bubbles slowly pass through a maze of bubble paths, dig zagging their way until they reach the top of the unit. Like I said, there will still be bubbles that pass through the top and disperse to the surface of the water.
My preferred method to diffusing CO2 bubbles into the water is by forcing water to mix with the bubbles. This can easily be accomplished by using a Rio Power head connected to a small bottle that the CO2 line is also connected to. This should completely dissolve the CO2 bubbles. You can find an already made system online for around 35-50 bucks. Or you can make one yourself for around 15 bucks. I made my own and it works beautifully. You also get the added benefit of having extra water current flow (which most fish appreciate).
But for a simple, cheap and easy to set up solution for dissolving CO2 bubbles into the aquarium, this Hagen diffuser is a good way to go. Make sure when you set it up that you set the unit as low as it will go in the aquarium (the bottom touching the gravel) so that the CO2 bubbles have maximum time to travel before reaching the water surface (and after that wasted).
As far as just a bubble counter, this is probably the most fun unit to watch that you can buy. My kids love watching the bubbles zig zag through the unit until the bubbles reach the top (cheap entertainment).
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Product Description:
A-7698 Plant-Gro CO2 Nat. System - Bubble CounterThe CO2 Natural Plant System Bubble/ Counter Diffuser has standard size CO2 resistant tubing for all CO2 systems. This patented system has an extended diffusion path, providing longer contact time that ensures efficient diffusion of CO2.Comes complete with CO2 Counter/Diffuser, CO2 resistant tubing, and 3 suction cups.
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Saturday, June 25, 2011 Turbo CO2 Bio System Review
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(More customer reviews)Well, I hope I can save someone some time and frustration writing this review. I had some initial problems starting this CO2 system. First, I couldn't get any co2 coming out. I read the directions and it said give it 24 hours for the mixture to start working. Well, I waited for over 48 hours, and nothing. After reading some forums on the internet, I found that you're not supposed to use tap water/chlorinated water, because it kills the yeast. So, I put some stress coat/dechlorinater in the mix, added some more yeast and woo hoo, started working. But then, I had it on a timer, and when the timer turned the pump back on, it didn't work again. Then after messing around for quite some time, I found that there's a design flaw with the pump. When the timer turns the pump off, the co2 forms an air bubble or co2 bubble around the propeller of the pump and slowly leaks out the back of the pump. But, when the timer turns the pump back on, the propeller can't suck any water through because the propeller is just spinning in the air pocket, so no water or co2 is jetted through the nozzle. There for, I'm not able to put it on a timer. But, I really don't think that it matters, cause from what I've read, it's pretty hard to put in a harmful amount of co2 with units like this or the Haggen Ladder systems. I see though that the poster before me had luck putting it on a timer and I wonder how they've gotten theirs to work. So far it's been running for a couple weeks, and for some reason my plants look more pale. Maybe there's some other issue I have to address yet to get my plants going better, but for now I thought I'd give this system 3 stars. Hope this helps someone. Good luck.
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Product Description:
You don't have to spend a fortune to provide your planted tank with a good source of CO2. The Turbo CO2 Bio System from Red Sea generates CO2 by a pH buffered natural fermentation process, supplying your tank (up to 40 gallons) for approximately 1 month. The system consists of a simple reaction canister that sits outside the aquarium and provides the CO2, which travels through tubing to a special pump placed in the bottom area of your tank. The special venturi pump injector diffuses the CO2 as very fine bubbles, insuring efficient dispersion throughout the water. Connect the pump to a day/night timer to prevent dangerously low pH levels during the night. Economical canister refill kit is available.
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