Dry Ice experiment

[Y3H]

Today I got some dry ice from buying some ice cream and immediately I thought of using dry ice as a source of CO2 for my fishless (still cycling) planted tank, as an experiment and small little sample of how much co2 will help the plants.

The results were astounding, it finally made me understand why fellow AQ bros labeled CO2 injection as a 'drug addiction' or along the lines of 'once you go into the realms of co2, you will never look back'.

Only 4 hours of CO2 injection was supplied to me by the dry ice, and within this 4 hours, I got hooked to CO2. (Hopefully can convince my parents to let me get a co2 system ).

Here's the simple set up.




Plastic bag contains the dry ice, masking taped the opening to my substrate vacuum and its tubing, made sure it was air tight.



Clipped it with our ol classicale clothes peg. I couldn't put the tube deeper into the tank, CO2 pressure was not enough to force out the water from the tube; was afraid of it starting to siphon water as well if the pressure crashes.

And within half an hour....the first plant started to pearl. I couldn't believe my eyes. I assumed at the start that the co2 injected near the surface of the water was not going to be very useful. The plants proved me wrong.



Not sure what this plant is...maybe someone could ID it for me?



And lastly, my java moss started to have a little pearling effect. Look closely and you can see the small O2 bubbles from its leaves.



My glosso and monte carlo didn't pearl; but small little bubbles can be seen rising from where the glosso were. After 2-3 hours, my other plants started to pearl slightly. After 4 hours from the start of experiment, the co2 pressure dropped and could not be injected into the tank anymore. It however gave me a small little peek on the power of CO2 Injection.

Thanks for the read guys, just wanted to share this little exciting moment with you all.

PS. If possible could someone ID the above plant for me...

[SwordZ]

Looks like Myriophyllum mattogrossense , but I'm not expert. Got it from http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ht=#post779203

[AQMS]

The plant name is Myriophyllum aquaticum.

http://www.aquariumdomain.com/viewFr...eshwater_id=42

[hann]

Hope you can convince your parents to get co2 injection as you can see for yourself what co2 can help in your plant photosynthesis. With co2, you can start to try out more challenging part.

[Urban Aquaria]

Good experiment!

These types of DIY/alternative Co2 source projects remind me of a segment i read in Takashi Amano's Nature Aquarium World Book One where he discovered how Co2 can boost plant growth and photosynthesis. In the early days, he also experimented with dry ice and even adding carbonated soda water into his planted tanks too... check out the anecdote from his book:

"I decided to make a real effort to raise water plants and design beautiful waterscapes in 1977. At that time there were no power filters and such devices like there are today, and figuring out my first set-up was difficult. I placed about 7cm of fine coral sand on the bottom and intensely aerated the water with a bottom filter. I thought that putting fishes in would cause problems, so I limited myself to plants. For lighting the 60cm tank I used two 20watt bulbs: in a week they were transparent. There were no books to help me out. All I could do was grope on in the dark. Next I realized that while I could raise plants fairly successfully in old aquaria, the newer ones were just no good. While pondering the reason for this, I figured out that it wasn't just air but CO2 that they needed, so I asked my mentor, Professor Nagashima of Niigata Seiryo Women's Junior College, about methods for carbonation of aquarium water. He told me that 0,03% CO2 in the air should be enough, and that it was naturally absorbed into the water so that I didn't have to add it artificially. But he introduced me to a friend in the medical equipment field anyway, who discussed possible carbonation methods with me and gave me a cost estimate. It's too bad it couldn't have been done more inexpensively or I would have successfully set up an aquatic plant aquarium much sooner. Carbon dioxide was something I never needed in my work and it was too expensive a material for me, anyway. Dry ice was economical, but it was too hard to handle and disappeared too quickly to be practical. Frustrated, I went on struggling and tried to forget about CO2. The aquatic plant aquarium work inched along to the point where the plants weren't dying as much but they wouldn't form new buds. Then one night I went to a bar with a friend and a clear bottle of carbonated water caught my eye. The label said, "water, carbon dioxide, sodium chloride (NaCl) 1%." I wasn't sure about the NaCl but it was the perfect material for testing whether the plants needed CO2. I took five bottles home with me. The tank for the experiment was big: 240x60x60cm. Flushed with drink and excitement, I poured the five bottles in. Within five minutes air bubbles had formed on the leaves: they did need the CO2. Every tank I added the soda water to did well, but I had to be careful not to add too much because of the 1% NaCl, and so I changed the water faithfully every week. There were piles of empty soda water bottles all over my room. If I hadn't discovered that carbonated water when I did, I surely would have given up on the whole idea of aquatic plant aquaria." - Takashi Amano

Imagine that was how the concept of Co2 injection started out.

[stressed]

Side track - why do your parents disallow a co2 tank at home?
1. Require you to self fund it?
2. Perceived safety risk?
3. Etc....

Convince them on the scientific benefits for you and how it would help your science knowledge. Helps them "brag" how nice a water garden they have at home

Overall it is definitely good you experienced the benefits of injected co2. For now, you may consider diy co2.

[Y3H]

Great read UA! Let's hope I don't go pouring carbonated water into tanks.

@stressed well, they are my Co - shareholders for my tank lol. And having a big co2 cylinder beside the tank is quite ugly and they don't quite entertain the thought of that. And also the cost of purchasing one gave them chills (I could buy it myself but they must also give the go ahead)

I did consider Diy co2, mum was afraid it will attract pests due to the ingredients involved. Haha maybe next time when I get my own house. Still studying in university now...

Dad did definitely get slightly interested...busy taking pictures of the pearling plants.

[Y3H]

Thanks for the plant ID too guys really appreciate it.

[Urban Aquaria]

Yeah, i understand the apprehension of buying a larger Co2 tank with all the accompanying equipment... especially if the space under and around the tank is limited and its exposed to view.

If space and aesthetics are of concern, maybe look at the smaller Co2 setups, there are the ones that operate using disposable Co2 cartridges (cheaper to buy initially, but have to keep buying and changing the cartridges so the costs will end up accumulating higher over time, they usually only come with manual regulators too, so can't schedule the injection timing)... or you can look at Co2 tanks which are smaller, like 1 liter or even 0.5 liter sizes, those allow you to use solenoid regulators to schedule the injection timing yet still keep the overall system more compact (only thing is due to the smaller Co2 tank size, you will need to top up the Co2 gas more often).

You can save quite alot buy getting 2nd hand Co2 systems, some good condition equipment can be had for less than half the price of new sets, so definitely worth keeping a look out for.

[AQMS]

keep a look out at AQ aquarium ad,there's a few co2 set on sale at a good deal.

[Y3H]

Thanks guys for the advices. I will keep a look out

[stressed]

Since your parents are co-owners and your dad has shown vested interest is a good start. Without co2, very soon you will realise the plants don't grow as nice. At that point, it may spur your dad to accommodate a co2. One without solenoid will mean it will be neater too-less clutter.

[Y3H]

Haha yea! I just need to 'market' co2 to them. Turning into a salesman already

[stressed]

If you are not too far from me, I can loan you one for short term use to convince your parents.

Caveat is you have to top up the co2 tank that I keep as spare.

I am not benefitting just spreading the joy of the hobby.

[Y3H]

Thanks bro for the generous offer! My dad is showing signs of getting persuaded already, so I don't think a loan would be necessary

[IrvineChen]

I kick off with DIY CO2 system found in the forum... Adding sugar and yeast... But after several month, feel it is troublesome, and ugly on my tanks... So end up firm up my mind and purchase the 2.68L CO2 Set.. So far, did not regret it at all.. Haha..

[Y3H]

Sugar and yeast was a Diy that my mom vehemently rejected. Scared of pests. Sigh.

Anyway, bro Irvine where did you get your set from ? Around how much was the cost?

[solidbrik]

U can diy with baking soda and citric acid too..Both materials readily available at any bakery shop / poon huat..using it now..and it helps. .just that regulating is a bit more troublesome.. u can Google it or visit..51co2.com..I got my diy set on taobao. .

[JamesYim]

Fluval Co2 set $95 (includes Co2 disposable 88g canister, pressure valve, diffuser and bubble counter). Canister cartridge is about hand length and will have to be changed every 3-4 weeks going at 1bps (mine finished at 3 weeks). Each cartridge $20.

1 liter Co2 tank $65. Canister about arm length. OceanFree pressure valve $25 (solenoid one is $90). Diffuser $6. Bubble counter $6. I haven't finished using this one but from what i'm told it'll last 3 months. Been using for about a month and so far, Co2 meter has barely dropped. Full refill at $12.

Both have silver stainless still look.

All items from c328.

Hope this helps!

[Y3H]

Thanks James I will look around!