Opinions on CO2 injection - e.g. Jungle Fizz Factory or DIY?

[Jamie Drilling]

Hello, it's me again with more questions! Thank you so much for your
help and advice so far -- this is the most open and friendly newsgroup
I've ever participated in. =)

This weekend I'm going to set up major CO2 injection for my new
tank--55 gallons, planted. It was going to be partially planted but
now I think the fake plants look horrible compared to the real thing.

Some of the plants have brown leaves already, though, and since they
have fertilizer and ~3 watts/gallon of full spectrum light, CO2's the
only deficiency I can think of (per this newsgroup's advice).

I think I can make a fairly aesthetic DIY kit, but I could buy two
Jungle Fizz Factories (supposed to be good up to 40 gallons) instead.
More aesthetic, more expensive.

Does anyone have experience or opinions on this?

Thank you!
Jamie

[Larry]

On 26 Oct 2005 13:30:11 -0700, "Jamie Drilling"
> wrote:

>Hello, it's me again with more questions! Thank you so much for your
>help and advice so far -- this is the most open and friendly newsgroup
>I've ever participated in. =)
>
>This weekend I'm going to set up major CO2 injection for my new
>tank--55 gallons, planted. It was going to be partially planted but
>now I think the fake plants look horrible compared to the real thing.
>
>Some of the plants have brown leaves already, though, and since they
>have fertilizer and ~3 watts/gallon of full spectrum light, CO2's the
>only deficiency I can think of (per this newsgroup's advice).
>
>I think I can make a fairly aesthetic DIY kit, but I could buy two
>Jungle Fizz Factories (supposed to be good up to 40 gallons) instead.
>More aesthetic, more expensive.
>
>Does anyone have experience or opinions on this?
>
>Thank you!
>Jamie

Hi Jamie,

Lighting is definetly adequate.
Is fertilizer a general one or specifically for IRON?
I've tried the DIY yeast and they can be a pain. Last from 1 week to
maybe 3.

My plants have turned a bit brown now and then. I add IRON.and keep
up the liquid CO2 daily and presto! Almost all green plants. If they
are getting enough iron(may have to get a test kit for this if you are
going to invest in lots of plants) then I'd recommend the Excel CO2
(liquid).

just my thoughts on the issue

[Daniel Morrow]

Bottom posted.


"Jamie Drilling" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hello, it's me again with more questions! Thank you so much for your
> help and advice so far -- this is the most open and friendly newsgroup
> I've ever participated in. =)
>
> This weekend I'm going to set up major CO2 injection for my new
> tank--55 gallons, planted. It was going to be partially planted but
> now I think the fake plants look horrible compared to the real thing.
>
> Some of the plants have brown leaves already, though, and since they
> have fertilizer and ~3 watts/gallon of full spectrum light, CO2's the
> only deficiency I can think of (per this newsgroup's advice).
>
> I think I can make a fairly aesthetic DIY kit, but I could buy two
> Jungle Fizz Factories (supposed to be good up to 40 gallons) instead.
> More aesthetic, more expensive.
>
> Does anyone have experience or opinions on this?
>
> Thank you!
> Jamie
>

I have a jungle fizz factory myself but I actually never use it - for the
same reasons justice referred to ambiguously in his later post. The reason
is that I love over-aerating my bedroom tank, what can I say, I love
bubbles! To a certain point if you aerate your tank (not necessary in a
planted tank unless you are like me and love bubbles and must have them)
most of the co2 injected escapes the tank's water and therefore co2
injection doesn't do anything, it just escapes/leaves the tank. Gas exchange
in aquariums takes place on the surface of the water, if the surface is
agitated via bubbles or other turbulence the gas in the tank's water tends
to leave. My other two tanks don't have much surface agitation but I still
don't inject co2 because those tanks are much bigger (55 each as compared to
15 for my bedroom) co2 injection is too costly with the cheap kits and real
co2 injection is just plain too expensive. I have heard that liquid co2
(like seachem excel co2) works great, at least by some brands. I do wonder
if massive aeration causes co2 to come back into the tank in a small but
significant amount so a small amount is always still there. Now that I am
providing more light (actually I moved the light source closer to the plant
with the light facing sideways penetrating the side glass of the bedroom
tank) my amazon sword plant has grown tremendously. In my other tank
hornwort is taking over, it is a great beginner plant. You can always put
extra amounts into the compost heap outside, or throw it out. Weird thing is
it won't grow much in my bedroom tank - go figure.

I still recommend you use the jungle fizz factory if you don't aerate your
tank unless you want a different brand (I don't have experience with the
jungle fizz factory because like I said - I have never used it), or you want
to aerate your tank. In other words - if your tank's water stays calm then
inject co2, but make sure you have plants that will use the co2 (i.e. if you
have no plants it could be dangerous to the fish, and unnecessary) and I
think it's a good idea to aerate at night even with co2 injection - the
injected co2 will raise the ph at night and might cause respiratory problems
at night, use an electrical timer (cheap) to turn on the air pump at night
and turn it off during the day. You plants wouldn't use the co2 at night
anyways - they grow at night and consume oxygen then. Good luck, I hope this
helps, and later!

[Elaine T]

Daniel Morrow wrote:

<snip>

> co2 injection is just plain too expensive. I have heard that liquid co2
> (like seachem excel co2) works great, at least by some brands. I do wonder
> if massive aeration causes co2 to come back into the tank in a small but
> significant amount so a small amount is always still there.

Aeration ("massive aeration" is not necessary) or surface turbulence
keeps the tank at atmospheric CO2. So yes, in a non-CO2 injected tank,
the CO2 the plants use up is replaced. For this reason, it's usually
halpful to have some surface turbulence or an airstone in a planted tank
that doesn't have CO2 added.

My plants do really well with Seachem Flourish Excel. It's much less
hassle than DIY C02.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[Jamie Drilling]

Besides the hassle, from the little I've done I know I don't like the
odor of DIY CO2.

Guess what? After adding light and fertilizer to my tank, even without
the injection of CO2
my algae crop has really taken off. :| I have 3 little Otos, from
Petco because they were close,
and we'll see what 3 Otos can do with 55 gallons of algae. ;)

Jamie

[Daniel Morrow]

Bottom posted.


"Elaine T" > wrote in message
t...
> Aeration ("massive aeration" is not necessary) or surface turbulence
> keeps the tank at atmospheric CO2. So yes, in a non-CO2 injected tank,
> the CO2 the plants use up is replaced. For this reason, it's usually
> halpful to have some surface turbulence or an airstone in a planted tank
> that doesn't have CO2 added.
>
> My plants do really well with Seachem Flourish Excel. It's much less
> hassle than DIY C02.
>
> --
> Elaine T __
> http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
> rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

Cool! I will be getting some excel flourish with my next supplies shipment
shortly. Unfortunately I actually have never tried it myself yet as I made a
mistake in my last attempt as I ordered flourish iron, still a good product
but not what plants need the most in my case most likely. So this time I
will order the right product. Later!

[George Pontis]

In article . com>,
says...
> Hello, it's me again with more questions! Thank you so much for your
> help and advice so far -- this is the most open and friendly newsgroup
> I've ever participated in. =)
>
> This weekend I'm going to set up major CO2 injection for my new
> tank--55 gallons, planted. It was going to be partially planted but
> now I think the fake plants look horrible compared to the real thing.
>
> Some of the plants have brown leaves already, though, and since they
> have fertilizer and ~3 watts/gallon of full spectrum light, CO2's the
> only deficiency I can think of (per this newsgroup's advice).
>
> I think I can make a fairly aesthetic DIY kit, but I could buy two
> Jungle Fizz Factories (supposed to be good up to 40 gallons) instead.
> More aesthetic, more expensive.
>
> Does anyone have experience or opinions on this?

I only have experience with CO2 from cylinders, not DIY. Many people have good
success with DYI systems and Excel. For lowest maintenance, and good long-term
value, a cylinder is an attractive option. If you would consider something in the
$100-150 range then here is how it breaks down:

1) Milwaukee regulator with bubble counter and needle valve and solenoid (plug in
24/7 for now) $69 new on eBay, or opt for a used one if available.

2) Used 5 or 10 pound CO2 cylinder from soda fountain, beer "kegerator", welding,
or other aquarist. $25-50. Aluminum is nice looking and a little lighter. Cost is
$10-20 to get filled if necessary. Check with local welding/industrial gas
supplier, or fire extinguisher recharge place. The former also sells such
cylinders but closer to $100.

3) Nylon gasket that fits between regulator and cylinder. Usually included with
regulator. Often free for the asking at an industrial gas supplier.

4) Hagen bubble ladder, $10.

5) One-way check valve in-line between bubble ladder and needle valve. Hagen or
tetra, about $1.50. Not strictly necessary, but useful to prevent siphoning water
out of aquarium while working on plumbing.

No need to overpay for special tubing. Simple aquarium airline, either clear vinyl
or silicone is adequate. Maybe you put in some new tubing once a year.

Geo.