rain bar and co2

[bclee]

I think the key is collecting of CO2 in the inverted mineral water bottle.

BC

[penny23]

really?? so how large should should the collector be?
i use about 1/3 of the length of an ice mountain bottle.
should it be larger? i did not measure the amount of CO2 in the tank

[bclee]

I don't really how big it should be.

When you maximise the contact time between water and CO2 bubble, you also maximise the CO2 dissolving into the water.

Your design definitely helps. Could even be better than using a diffusor.

BC

[vinz]

The depth of the collector does not really matter... as long as there is CO2 inside it during lighted hours. Whats important is the horizontal cross-section. The bigger this area is the more contact the collected CO2 has with the water, the more efficient it is.

Actually, this or the reactor method is pretty good for DIY CO2, since DIY CO2 production tapers off towards the end, the collected CO2 can still do the job better then not having it at all.

However, Penny, if your plants are already bubbling, your collector is good enough already.

On a another note... its not often that we see a lady who does DIY. []

[c.y.]

----------------
On 9/11/2002 11:22:53 AM

this is what I followed:
a one gallon bottle
filled with 3/4 water + 1 cup sugar + 1/4 TSP yeast
it does not bubble at abt 2 bubbles/sec actually much less
but it collected into a mineral bottle cut into half and collects there so I guess it dissolves into the water.

I just started my tank only...so maybe I can update you if my plants are starting to stop bubbling?
----------------

Sorry, is 1 gal. or 1 ltr.
I use 2 x 1.5 ltr. bottle. and those reactor with 2 bio ball to dislove the co2, the co2 only strong enough to make the plants bubble for the first few days.

[benetay]

it should be 1L not 1 gallon.

[penny23]

i used i gallon man.
I'll go home and post the website which I followed from.
think I should check my CO2 level.
anyone knows of a good cheap kit which I could get ??/
also should I get the KH PH kits also?
what brands are recommended?

thanks

[benetay]

Oh i see 1 gallon bottle can hold much more Co2 solution then a 1l one..usually people uses those soft drinks bottle to do it .

[vinz]

3/4 US gallons is a little under 3 litres. The amount of CO2 produced is directly proportional to the amount of yeast used, provided there is enough sugar solution to feed them.

[justjoin]

Does the size of the bottle used affect the amount CO2 produce?unlikely right?

I am using a 2litres bottle in my 1.5ft tank (17gal)

1]1-2 cup of sugar dissolved in hot/warm water.
2]mixed with tap water to bring down to room temp(abt 3/4 btl full).
3]add 1/4 Teaspoon yeast
4]add 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Shake well.

BUT usually, i need to wait for more than a few hours than start to produce CO2 bubble at the other end which i directed to my internal powerhead filter.

my riccia is bubbling alot.

Xmass moss also got some tiny bubbles

[penny23]

hahaha I'm not a lady..nick is because I wear the Xmetal oakley shades model: penny go to www.oakley.com to check it out
sorry for confusion

this is the site which I followed
www.thekrib.com/Plants/CO2/co2-faiz.html

I did not use the other bottle for preventing flow of the brew into the tank (hope nothing happens)

anyway my plants does not bubble as much as the first three days....not streamming...sigh...so I guess is not that good

[vinz]

Opps... sorry about the gender bender.

Anyway, DIY CO2 production tapers off as it goes along, thats why your plants will reduce bubbling. Its not that its good or bad... just the nature of DIY CO2.

[penny23]

I just bought some new plants and boy do they bubble!!!
but like the old ones I forsee that they will stop bubbling after a day or two
anyone knows why??

[PeterGwee]

Carbonate inside the tank water???? Some plants take in carbonate directly as a form of carbon supplement....so when they are used up..your plants stop bubbling.

[penny23]

so is carbonates in the water good or bad in general?
can you elaborate more?
how I wish they could keep on bubbling!

anyway the tube where my DIY CO2 comes out from there is a formation of like whitsh stringy material.
anyone has a similiar problem?

[PeterGwee]

The source of carbonate in your tank is uncertain though...have you add KH up powder or solution before to buffer your water? Maybe another source might be your substrate. In order to keep your plants bubbling, you need your carbon dioxide level to reach a certain point. Not to forget you also need strong lights for high light plants about 3W-4W/gallon of water.

http://www.dennerle.de/ENGLISCH/e_frameset.htm ---- you can find more info about the concentration needed. You need pH and KH test kit though. []

Whitish stuff inside the tubing is likely to be algae formation..please get a check valve to prevent back siphoning or your DIY solution to get into your tank . You really don't want that to happen.

[penny23]

peter, its not inside the tubing but at the opening wheer the CO2 is being released.

I'll keep in mind your other advise! thanks

[PeterGwee]

Regardless of that, it is still algae or some of your DIY stuff getting out..hurry get a check valve..
Not all plants bubble that well like riccia..if you want bubbling get riccia..you can also cut a stem plant and if the lights and CO2 levels are enough, you should see some bubbling from the cut portion. []

[sherchoo]

If you have a pH and kH tester, you dun really need another Co2 tester.

[penny23]

peter, I tried a check valve before...but somehow I think the pressure is too low to move the spring inside.
or shold I leave it longer for the test?? to let pressure build up I guess