nutrafin CO2 system

[linda mar]

hi,

if I buy this CO2 system, is there a cheaper "co2 generating source" that I
can use later instead of buying their co2 generating chemicals?
(yeast/sugar, etc...)

also, how long does a typical chemical mixture last for a low KH, 30G
aquarium with moderate planting?

linda

[Robert Flory]

"linda mar" > wrote in message
...
> hi,
>
> if I buy this CO2 system, is there a cheaper "co2 generating source" that
I
> can use later instead of buying their co2 generating chemicals?
> (yeast/sugar, etc...)
>
> also, how long does a typical chemical mixture last for a low KH, 30G
> aquarium with moderate planting?
>
> linda
>
Lot cheaper. 2 liter soda bottle, sugar, yeast and maybe some baking soda.
My big expense was the needle valve from Yardbirds, $5.00. Works just great
with a spare air stone.

It's not perfect, I need to upgrade the cheap airstone to some sort of
reactor, but that can wait till I put some real lights on the tank. Try
the DIY, if it gives you what you want you can up grade to something fancier
later.

Bob

[Eric Schreiber]

"linda mar" > wrote:

>if I buy this CO2 system, is there a cheaper "co2 generating source" that I
>can use later instead of buying their co2 generating chemicals?

Don't buy the complete system. You can get just the bubble counter
part from PetSolutions.com (part number 15517698). Connect it to a DIY
CO2 system (two-liter yeast bottle) using the supplied airline tubing,
and you're all set.

It works quite well. You can actually see the CO2 bubbles shrink
dramatically as they work their way through the bubble counter.

>also, how long does a typical chemical mixture last for a low KH, 30G
>aquarium with moderate planting?

Depends on the DIY recipe you're using. Lots of variations out there,
you just have to try them until you find one that works for you.

--
www.ericschreiber.com

[Jim Miller]

for a diy approach save yourself a heartbreat and get a juice bottle instead
of a "pop" bottle. the height to width ratio is lower and has a full width
base to make it MUCH less easy to tip. additional benefits are stronger
sides, typically with handholds, and a wider mouth for easier filling.

lots of different sizes to chose from including 64oz.

juice is better for you as well!

jtm

--
Remove NOSPAM for email replies

[Eric Schreiber]

"Jim Miller" > wrote:

>for a diy approach save yourself a heartbreat and get a juice bottle instead
>of a "pop" bottle. the height to width ratio is lower and has a full width
>base to make it MUCH less easy to tip.

That's a valid consideration. I manage to knock one of my 2-liter
bottles over just about every time I get near them. Requires that I
rinse and dry the tubing from time to time. Annoying.

>juice is better for you as well!

No caffeine. Can't see any value in juice at all ;)


--
www.ericschreiber.com

[linda mar]

Hi,

so is the container that comes with the nutrafin system not optimal for DIY
yeast brew? or is it just fancy version of a soda bottle..?

linda
"Eric Schreiber" > wrote in message
...
> "linda mar" > wrote:
>
> >if I buy this CO2 system, is there a cheaper "co2 generating source" that
I
> >can use later instead of buying their co2 generating chemicals?
>
> Don't buy the complete system. You can get just the bubble counter
> part from PetSolutions.com (part number 15517698). Connect it to a DIY
> CO2 system (two-liter yeast bottle) using the supplied airline tubing,
> and you're all set.
>
> It works quite well. You can actually see the CO2 bubbles shrink
> dramatically as they work their way through the bubble counter.
>
> >also, how long does a typical chemical mixture last for a low KH, 30G
> >aquarium with moderate planting?
>
> Depends on the DIY recipe you're using. Lots of variations out there,
> you just have to try them until you find one that works for you.
>
> --
> www.ericschreiber.com

[Eric Schreiber]

"linda mar" > wrote:

>so is the container that comes with the nutrafin system not optimal for DIY
>yeast brew? or is it just fancy version of a soda bottle..?

As far as I know, having not bought one, it's just a fancy soda
bottle. I'm sure that it works just fine, and probably as well as a
soda bottle. The only reason I say don't get it, is that there's no
point spending money on it when you can do the soda bottle approach
for free, and instead spend that money on a fish :)

--
www.ericschreiber.com

[Robert Flory]

"linda mar" > wrote in message
...
> Hi,
>
> so is the container that comes with the nutrafin system not optimal for
DIY
> yeast brew? or is it just fancy version of a soda bottle..?
>

There list of what is in the box.... It is a fancy version of the soda
bottle. In reality any container would work.

- CO2 Stabilizer
- CO2 Activator
- Designed for tanks up to 20 U.S. gallons (75 l), for larger aquariums use
multiple units
- Affordable, safe and user friendly means of CO2 supplementation for live
aquatic plants
- Easy to install
- Does not require constant adjustments
- All natural fermentation process
- Results evident in just 15 days
- Colorful display box

I'm sure the colorful box is important ;-)

Bob

[Rick]

"linda mar" > wrote in message
...
> Hi,
>
> so is the container that comes with the nutrafin system not optimal for
DIY
> yeast brew? or is it just fancy version of a soda bottle..?
>
> linda


I got tired real quick with the DIY stuff, mixing 4 bottles for my 75 g tank
and yesterday went out and got a pressurized system. Just waiting for my
needle valve which is on order. If you go the DIY route you might try the
jello recipe it seems to last a lot longer.

Rick

[Wilma Duncan]

Linda, I have one of these and really like it. I mix my own mixture. I just
fill the bottom up to the lower mark with sugar, add water to the top mark,
mix a half teaspoon of yeast with a little water and a half teaspoon of
sugar add this to my container and have co2 bubbling within a few minutes.
Wilma
"linda mar" > wrote in message
...
> hi,
>
> if I buy this CO2 system, is there a cheaper "co2 generating source" that
I
> can use later instead of buying their co2 generating chemicals?
> (yeast/sugar, etc...)
>
> also, how long does a typical chemical mixture last for a low KH, 30G
> aquarium with moderate planting?
>
> linda
>
>

[linda mar]

cool~ thank you!

linda
"Wilma Duncan" > wrote in message
...
> Linda, I have one of these and really like it. I mix my own mixture. I
just
> fill the bottom up to the lower mark with sugar, add water to the top
mark,
> mix a half teaspoon of yeast with a little water and a half teaspoon of
> sugar add this to my container and have co2 bubbling within a few minutes.
> Wilma
> "linda mar" > wrote in message
> ...
> > hi,
> >
> > if I buy this CO2 system, is there a cheaper "co2 generating source"
that
> I
> > can use later instead of buying their co2 generating chemicals?
> > (yeast/sugar, etc...)
> >
> > also, how long does a typical chemical mixture last for a low KH, 30G
> > aquarium with moderate planting?
> >
> > linda
> >
> >
>
>

[Frank Mamone]

Jello recipe?

"Rick" > wrote in message
...
>
> "linda mar" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi,
> >
> > so is the container that comes with the nutrafin system not optimal for
> DIY
> > yeast brew? or is it just fancy version of a soda bottle..?
> >
> > linda
>
>
> I got tired real quick with the DIY stuff, mixing 4 bottles for my 75 g
tank
> and yesterday went out and got a pressurized system. Just waiting for my
> needle valve which is on order. If you go the DIY route you might try the
> jello recipe it seems to last a lot longer.
>
> Rick
>
>

[Frank Mamone]

Linda,

I have one too and it works fine, but in retrospect, I would buy only the
diffusor and use my own bottle. You can buy it seperately at big als online.

Unless you really don't wanna make your own bottle get the whole kit.

-Frank

"linda mar" > wrote in message
...
> Hi,
>
> so is the container that comes with the nutrafin system not optimal for
DIY
> yeast brew? or is it just fancy version of a soda bottle..?
>
> linda
> "Eric Schreiber" > wrote in message
> ...
> > "linda mar" > wrote:
> >
> > >if I buy this CO2 system, is there a cheaper "co2 generating source"
that
> I
> > >can use later instead of buying their co2 generating chemicals?
> >
> > Don't buy the complete system. You can get just the bubble counter
> > part from PetSolutions.com (part number 15517698). Connect it to a DIY
> > CO2 system (two-liter yeast bottle) using the supplied airline tubing,
> > and you're all set.
> >
> > It works quite well. You can actually see the CO2 bubbles shrink
> > dramatically as they work their way through the bubble counter.
> >
> > >also, how long does a typical chemical mixture last for a low KH, 30G
> > >aquarium with moderate planting?
> >
> > Depends on the DIY recipe you're using. Lots of variations out there,
> > you just have to try them until you find one that works for you.
> >
> > --
> > www.ericschreiber.com
>
>

[Rick]

"Frank Mamone" > wrote in message
...
> Jello recipe?
>
2 x 85 g packs of jello
500 ml of hot water, shake well to dissolve
1.5 cups of sugar, mix
500 ml of cold water, mix
place in fridge until jello sets
add 500 ml of luke warm water and one package of champagne yeast or 1/4
(some use 1/2 tsp of regular yeast)

using the jello will almost double the amount of time you get from the
mixture.
I like the nice green shade myself. :-)
Rick

[linda mar]

Hi everybody!

I found that diffuser is about $12, and diffuser with the bottle and initial
starter kit chemical is about $18.. given the gas prices these days, $6 is
worth the extra cost for me instead of dumping out soda (I'm a tea
drinker... so soda/juice bottle will be $1-$3 depending on what I "buy"),
connecting tubes (another $1 or $2 for the tubing, and some silicone for
sealing), buying yeast ($.50?) etc for the short term :-) (especially when
I'm buying glob of other things not available locally via mailorder.. it'll
still fit into the order without increasing the shipping :-)

thanks for all your input! it was very helpful (especially the jello
recipe.. that's A LOT of sugar...)

linda

"Frank Mamone" > wrote in message
...
> Linda,
>
> I have one too and it works fine, but in retrospect, I would buy only the
> diffusor and use my own bottle. You can buy it seperately at big als
online.
>
> Unless you really don't wanna make your own bottle get the whole kit.
>
> -Frank
>
> "linda mar" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi,
> >
> > so is the container that comes with the nutrafin system not optimal for
> DIY
> > yeast brew? or is it just fancy version of a soda bottle..?
> >
> > linda
> > "Eric Schreiber" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > "linda mar" > wrote:
> > >
> > > >if I buy this CO2 system, is there a cheaper "co2 generating source"
> that
> > I
> > > >can use later instead of buying their co2 generating chemicals?
> > >
> > > Don't buy the complete system. You can get just the bubble counter
> > > part from PetSolutions.com (part number 15517698). Connect it to a DIY
> > > CO2 system (two-liter yeast bottle) using the supplied airline tubing,
> > > and you're all set.
> > >
> > > It works quite well. You can actually see the CO2 bubbles shrink
> > > dramatically as they work their way through the bubble counter.
> > >
> > > >also, how long does a typical chemical mixture last for a low KH, 30G
> > > >aquarium with moderate planting?
> > >
> > > Depends on the DIY recipe you're using. Lots of variations out there,
> > > you just have to try them until you find one that works for you.
> > >
> > > --
> > > www.ericschreiber.com
> >
> >
>
>

[Dave]

Hello from Mississauga,

I recently set up a 33 gallon planted tank and purchased one of these
Nutrafin thingys. I have a few questions about the bubble dispenser that
attaches to the side of the tank with suction cups. Are the bubbles
supposed to flow directly out of the airtubing into the dispenser?? The
bubbles from my unit just flow out of the tubbing at the bottom and bypass
the dispenser (for the most part)...and flow up to the top of the water and
then pop. I thought they should get trapped in the dispenser...so I
attached a small pce of plastic to the bottom to guide the bubbles directly
into the dispenser. When I did that....all the bubbles went directly into
it....and then flowed up each level of the dispenser...and then flowed out
the top of it to the surface and popped. No bubbles actually stayed in the
dispenser...they just flowed out level by level up to the top.

Are the bubbles all supposed to go into the dispenser?? Is it normal for
the bubbles to flow to the surface without entering the dispenser?? Some
bubbles get caught in it...but not many.

How is the dispenser supposed to work?? How does CO2 stay in the water??

Any help appreciated...

Dave

[Tony K]

"Dave" > wrote in message
...
> Hello from Mississauga,
>
> I recently set up a 33 gallon planted tank and purchased one of these
> Nutrafin thingys. I have a few questions about the bubble dispenser that
> attaches to the side of the tank with suction cups. Are the bubbles
> supposed to flow directly out of the airtubing into the dispenser?? The
> bubbles from my unit just flow out of the tubbing at the bottom and bypass
> the dispenser (for the most part)...and flow up to the top of the water
and
> then pop. I thought they should get trapped in the dispenser...so I
> attached a small pce of plastic to the bottom to guide the bubbles
directly
> into the dispenser. When I did that....all the bubbles went directly into
> it....and then flowed up each level of the dispenser...and then flowed out
> the top of it to the surface and popped. No bubbles actually stayed in
the
> dispenser...they just flowed out level by level up to the top.
>
> Are the bubbles all supposed to go into the dispenser?? Is it normal for
> the bubbles to flow to the surface without entering the dispenser?? Some
> bubbles get caught in it...but not many.
>
> How is the dispenser supposed to work?? How does CO2 stay in the water??
>
> Any help appreciated...
>
> Dave
>
>
The bubbles a supposed to get caught at the bottom of the dispenser and work
their way to the top, decreasing in size as they go, thereby releasing CO2
into the water. They then leave the dispenser and escape to the surface.

I had similar problems when I first set mine up, I found that the end of the
tubing from the fermentation canister wasn't inserted correctly at the
bottom of the dispenser.

The instructions say that it is normal for bubbles to by-pass the dispenser
when you first set up the system, this should stop after 24 hours.

Tony

[Frank Mamone]

Yes, they're supposed to flow into the diffuser However, if the outlet is
not pushed in enough or the slant is facing the wrong way it will not work
properly.
Also, as it says in the documentation, it's normal that the bubbles from a
new batch may not stay in the diffuser at first.

HTH,

-Frank



"Dave" > wrote in message
...
> Hello from Mississauga,
>
> I recently set up a 33 gallon planted tank and purchased one of these
> Nutrafin thingys. I have a few questions about the bubble dispenser that
> attaches to the side of the tank with suction cups. Are the bubbles
> supposed to flow directly out of the airtubing into the dispenser?? The
> bubbles from my unit just flow out of the tubbing at the bottom and bypass
> the dispenser (for the most part)...and flow up to the top of the water
and
> then pop. I thought they should get trapped in the dispenser...so I
> attached a small pce of plastic to the bottom to guide the bubbles
directly
> into the dispenser. When I did that....all the bubbles went directly into
> it....and then flowed up each level of the dispenser...and then flowed out
> the top of it to the surface and popped. No bubbles actually stayed in
the
> dispenser...they just flowed out level by level up to the top.
>
> Are the bubbles all supposed to go into the dispenser?? Is it normal for
> the bubbles to flow to the surface without entering the dispenser?? Some
> bubbles get caught in it...but not many.
>
> How is the dispenser supposed to work?? How does CO2 stay in the water??
>
> Any help appreciated...
>
> Dave
>
>

[Eric Schreiber]

"Dave" > wrote:

>I recently set up a 33 gallon planted tank and purchased one of these
>Nutrafin thingys. I have a few questions about the bubble dispenser that
>attaches to the side of the tank with suction cups. Are the bubbles
>supposed to flow directly out of the airtubing into the dispenser?

Yes, they are.

Sounds like your tube may not be set in place quite right. The end of
the tube should have a little plastic nozzle thingy, cut at a slant.
The direction of that slant will steer the bubbles into the diffuser.

From there, the bubbles should zig-zag through the entire diffuser
from bottom to top, before finally floating out the top.

>attached a small pce of plastic to the bottom to guide the bubbles directly
>into the dispenser. When I did that....all the bubbles went directly into
>it....and then flowed up each level of the dispenser...and then flowed out
>the top of it to the surface and popped. No bubbles actually stayed in the
>dispenser...they just flowed out level by level up to the top.

Bear in mind that when you first start up a new CO2 mix, you've got
mostly regular air in the CO2 bottle. That regular air has to be
forced out by CO2 production first, and it can take up to a day to do
that. Since your tank water is reasonably well saturated with the
components of regular air, these starting bubbles will remain pretty
much the same size as they travel through the diffuser.

However, once the regular air has been cleared from the CO2 bottle,
you'll start getting more-or-less pure CO2 gas. When these bubbles
travel through the diffuser, you'll see that they actually get much
smaller and slower by the time they reach the top.

This shrinking of the bubbles as they move through the diffuser is
your verification that CO2 is properly dissolving into the water, and
that the CO2 system is working correctly.


--
www.ericschreiber.com

[lost@aol.com]

I was thinking about getting one of these diffusers but had a couple
of questions. Do they sit inside the tank or outside the tank ? Okay,
maybe that's a dumb questions, since I assume they have to be inside,
however, are they very large ? Do they look ugly ? I am trying to make
my tank look natural and having a giant plastic thingy in the tank
would seem to defeat the purpose.



On Mon, 31 Mar 2003 01:49:35 -0600, Eric Schreiber
> wrote:

>"Dave" > wrote:
>
>>I recently set up a 33 gallon planted tank and purchased one of these
>>Nutrafin thingys. I have a few questions about the bubble dispenser that
>>attaches to the side of the tank with suction cups. Are the bubbles
>>supposed to flow directly out of the airtubing into the dispenser?
>
>Yes, they are.
>
>Sounds like your tube may not be set in place quite right. The end of
>the tube should have a little plastic nozzle thingy, cut at a slant.
>The direction of that slant will steer the bubbles into the diffuser.
>
>From there, the bubbles should zig-zag through the entire diffuser
>from bottom to top, before finally floating out the top.
>
>>attached a small pce of plastic to the bottom to guide the bubbles directly
>>into the dispenser. When I did that....all the bubbles went directly into
>>it....and then flowed up each level of the dispenser...and then flowed out
>>the top of it to the surface and popped. No bubbles actually stayed in the
>>dispenser...they just flowed out level by level up to the top.
>
>Bear in mind that when you first start up a new CO2 mix, you've got
>mostly regular air in the CO2 bottle. That regular air has to be
>forced out by CO2 production first, and it can take up to a day to do
>that. Since your tank water is reasonably well saturated with the
>components of regular air, these starting bubbles will remain pretty
>much the same size as they travel through the diffuser.
>
>However, once the regular air has been cleared from the CO2 bottle,
>you'll start getting more-or-less pure CO2 gas. When these bubbles
>travel through the diffuser, you'll see that they actually get much
>smaller and slower by the time they reach the top.
>
>This shrinking of the bubbles as they move through the diffuser is
>your verification that CO2 is properly dissolving into the water, and
>that the CO2 system is working correctly.

[Frank Mamone]

It sits on the inside. However it's pretty flat and can be at least
partially hidden by a tall plant.



> wrote in message
...
> I was thinking about getting one of these diffusers but had a couple
> of questions. Do they sit inside the tank or outside the tank ? Okay,
> maybe that's a dumb questions, since I assume they have to be inside,
> however, are they very large ? Do they look ugly ? I am trying to make
> my tank look natural and having a giant plastic thingy in the tank
> would seem to defeat the purpose.
>
>
>
> On Mon, 31 Mar 2003 01:49:35 -0600, Eric Schreiber
> > wrote:
>
> >"Dave" > wrote:
> >
> >>I recently set up a 33 gallon planted tank and purchased one of these
> >>Nutrafin thingys. I have a few questions about the bubble dispenser
that
> >>attaches to the side of the tank with suction cups. Are the bubbles
> >>supposed to flow directly out of the airtubing into the dispenser?
> >
> >Yes, they are.
> >
> >Sounds like your tube may not be set in place quite right. The end of
> >the tube should have a little plastic nozzle thingy, cut at a slant.
> >The direction of that slant will steer the bubbles into the diffuser.
> >
> >From there, the bubbles should zig-zag through the entire diffuser
> >from bottom to top, before finally floating out the top.
> >
> >>attached a small pce of plastic to the bottom to guide the bubbles
directly
> >>into the dispenser. When I did that....all the bubbles went directly
into
> >>it....and then flowed up each level of the dispenser...and then flowed
out
> >>the top of it to the surface and popped. No bubbles actually stayed in
the
> >>dispenser...they just flowed out level by level up to the top.
> >
> >Bear in mind that when you first start up a new CO2 mix, you've got
> >mostly regular air in the CO2 bottle. That regular air has to be
> >forced out by CO2 production first, and it can take up to a day to do
> >that. Since your tank water is reasonably well saturated with the
> >components of regular air, these starting bubbles will remain pretty
> >much the same size as they travel through the diffuser.
> >
> >However, once the regular air has been cleared from the CO2 bottle,
> >you'll start getting more-or-less pure CO2 gas. When these bubbles
> >travel through the diffuser, you'll see that they actually get much
> >smaller and slower by the time they reach the top.
> >
> >This shrinking of the bubbles as they move through the diffuser is
> >your verification that CO2 is properly dissolving into the water, and
> >that the CO2 system is working correctly.
>

[Gene Heitman]

You put the diffuser inside the aquarium and you can either hang the
cannister on the outside of the tank or put in in the stand underneath the
tank (the latter is what I do with my two). The diffuser is clear plastic
so the background of the aquarium will show through. Ideally you could hide
the diffuser with some plants like vallisneria spiralis.

> wrote in message
...
> I was thinking about getting one of these diffusers but had a couple
> of questions. Do they sit inside the tank or outside the tank ? Okay,
> maybe that's a dumb questions, since I assume they have to be inside,
> however, are they very large ? Do they look ugly ? I am trying to make
> my tank look natural and having a giant plastic thingy in the tank
> would seem to defeat the purpose.
>
>
>
> On Mon, 31 Mar 2003 01:49:35 -0600, Eric Schreiber
> > wrote:
>
> >"Dave" > wrote:
> >
> >>I recently set up a 33 gallon planted tank and purchased one of these
> >>Nutrafin thingys. I have a few questions about the bubble dispenser
that
> >>attaches to the side of the tank with suction cups. Are the bubbles
> >>supposed to flow directly out of the airtubing into the dispenser?
> >
> >Yes, they are.
> >
> >Sounds like your tube may not be set in place quite right. The end of
> >the tube should have a little plastic nozzle thingy, cut at a slant.
> >The direction of that slant will steer the bubbles into the diffuser.
> >
> >From there, the bubbles should zig-zag through the entire diffuser
> >from bottom to top, before finally floating out the top.
> >
> >>attached a small pce of plastic to the bottom to guide the bubbles
directly
> >>into the dispenser. When I did that....all the bubbles went directly
into
> >>it....and then flowed up each level of the dispenser...and then flowed
out
> >>the top of it to the surface and popped. No bubbles actually stayed in
the
> >>dispenser...they just flowed out level by level up to the top.
> >
> >Bear in mind that when you first start up a new CO2 mix, you've got
> >mostly regular air in the CO2 bottle. That regular air has to be
> >forced out by CO2 production first, and it can take up to a day to do
> >that. Since your tank water is reasonably well saturated with the
> >components of regular air, these starting bubbles will remain pretty
> >much the same size as they travel through the diffuser.
> >
> >However, once the regular air has been cleared from the CO2 bottle,
> >you'll start getting more-or-less pure CO2 gas. When these bubbles
> >travel through the diffuser, you'll see that they actually get much
> >smaller and slower by the time they reach the top.
> >
> >This shrinking of the bubbles as they move through the diffuser is
> >your verification that CO2 is properly dissolving into the water, and
> >that the CO2 system is working correctly.
>