Dry Ice for Co2 - Possible?

[Navanod]

I may just want to try for the fun of it. Will not direct the CO2 into my tank first. Just try for the fun of knowing the kind of pressure it's producing and how long it last, etc. The only problem is ... where to get dry ice? I know it's readily available some 30/40 years ago (even provision shops selling). But I think it's hard to find it now 'cos modern refigeration is rather cheap and many types available. Could any kind soul tell me where to get dry ice. Thanks

If you don't mind travelling to my workplace near outram, I have some you can try out. Its leftover from deliveries. About 1/4 of a shoebox. PM me.

Note that it'll only last about 12 hour max inside a very insulated container.

If you wanna order, I have a vendor that supplies it at about $2-3 per kg but minimal quantity is 20kg.

Note that you CANNOT store dry ice inside your freezer compartment. The pressure will build up and may blast open the door. The sudden rush of concentrated CO2 may also knock out whoever breathes it in.
Not that there's any point either...I kept some in a -80 degrees freezer and its all gone by the 2nd day

[Navanod]

Dry ice can be use to kill bugs and unwanted intruders in vivariun set-ups, remove and critters you may have in there, throw a few pieces in, sprinkle some water and cover the tank...now can I get dry ice?

Interesting...can I use this method to treat new plants too to suffocate snails and planaria?

[hzeong]

Hi Navanod,

Sorry for late reply. Was running busy these couple of days. Thanks for your generous offer for the dry ice. I'm able to get some from the ice-cream mobile kiosk near my place. Tried it last night....results don't look too good. maybe I add in too little dry ice. The dry ice started bubbling (vigorously at first but then fizzle down quite quickly) but couldn't get the pressure to let it bubble. Maybe got to add more. It will be trial and error process until able to get the right proportion of dry ice & water.

Anyway, I shelving this experiment 'cos I doing up a DIY CO2. Also running around to get the parts.

Thanks for your offer. Cheers

[Fuzzy]

Interesting...can I use this method to treat new plants too to suffocate snails and planaria?

Anything you can do to kill pests with CO2, you can use a tank for though, really no need to go find dry ice unless you have some lying around.

[Navanod]

Anything you can do to kill pests with CO2, you can use a tank for though, really no need to go find dry ice unless you have some lying around.

I get a regular supply of leftover dry ice from work so thats not an issue...speaking of which...I have almost unlimited CO2 on tap too...but cannot bring home
Perhaps I'll try gassing my plants next time before using them....

[Fuzzy]

bring your CO2 home in inflated trash bags, lol

Or bring a small CO2 tank to the office to fill

[Kiatster]

I feel that DIY CO2 is a gd idea if u want short term co2 injection or simply not needing to sell off the co2 set afterwards or spend a lump sum now to buy one. DIY anytime you want to and won't feel the pinch if you stop using it.

But if its for long term and theres a need to monitor co2 injection rates then should go for cylinder. =)

[skytan]

Woops...i was thinkin to do this too..as my first tank dun really want to do so complicated as the get the CO2 tank..and such.

As for Dry ICe
Tuck Lee Iceworks (google it)delivers but it is not too cheap cos need 5kg x 2 packs x 6. Heard ZenaCo2 at depot road sells..not sure of the prices...was thinking of driving there to buy and try...

But so many Bros...say dangerous and storage is a major problem will put off the idea..lol

*Was thinking in the line of getting a PET bottle...attaching tubing to cap.
So when need CO2 throw Dry Ice add water, cap it back.

One Side question
For DIY methods..how and where we connect the end of the CO2 tube to? Need a diffusier??

[gtbROX]

NO NO NO NO NO:
The thing about gases dissolving anywhere is that a lot of it depends on the partial pressure of that gas right where it has contact with water surface whether it's in the little bubbles of an airstone or at the surface of the tank. When you throw dry ice in a tank, you expose the water to a TREMENDOUSLY HIGH partial pressure of CO2 since a solid encased in water while subliming produces a higher partial pressure of CO2 than pure CO2 simply bubbling through a tank as a gas. This instantly saturates your tank water with bicarbonate ions and H+ ions making the water lose almost all of its oxygen. You also drastically drop the pH of your water. How do I know this? A friend of mine did this last week even though I explained to him this concept, needless to say, within 30 minutes all his fish were at the surface of the water gasping, and one of his guppies died.

To simplify, adding dry ice to aquarium means:
-drop in pH
-oxygen is lost
-High CO2/Bicarbonate saturation