CO2 question
 

First I want to thank everyone who has helped me get started on DIY CO2, and
especially Kush who told me I might be using water that was too hot... that
was in fact the problem.

I also read Leigh's response to someone regarding doubling the amount of
mixture in the bottle, and did that, and it gave me more frequent bubbles
than I had had, but the pH didn't go down.

I'm getting a bubble about every 3-4 seconds, piped into the intake of my
Emperor 400 power filter. My CO2 normally has been about 2-3, now it is
staying a fairly stable 8ppm (KH 2 & pH 7).

I am even seeing a little pearling which is very rewarding. My question is,
should I be satisfied with this? I would love to see more pearling, but I
don't necessarily want extra-rapid plant grown... I would like them to grow
of course, but.... I think you understand.

Also, I'm suspecting the Emporer is not making the best use of the CO2 I'm
getting. Are there any suggestions that aren't (1) very expensive (2 and
more important) won't look ugly in my tank.

thanks so much,

bob

CO2 question
 

Bob,

I really can't say if using a reactor/bubble counter will be better or worse
than what you're doing now. But there are many you can purchase which aren't
too expensive. Also, ugly is very subjective.

I use the Hagen system which is basically that same as DIY. They sell the
reactor seperately at big Als , but here's a good photo of what it looks
like.

http://www.petsmart.com/fish/shoppin...ucts/product_3
3004.shtml

Personally, I love watching the bubbles go up the diffuser!

-Frank



"Bob A" wrote in message
...
First I want to thank everyone who has helped me get started on DIY CO2,
and
especially Kush who told me I might be using water that was too hot...
that
was in fact the problem.

I also read Leigh's response to someone regarding doubling the amount of
mixture in the bottle, and did that, and it gave me more frequent bubbles
than I had had, but the pH didn't go down.

I'm getting a bubble about every 3-4 seconds, piped into the intake of my
Emperor 400 power filter. My CO2 normally has been about 2-3, now it is
staying a fairly stable 8ppm (KH 2 & pH 7).

I am even seeing a little pearling which is very rewarding. My question
is,
should I be satisfied with this? I would love to see more pearling, but I
don't necessarily want extra-rapid plant grown... I would like them to
grow
of course, but.... I think you understand.

Also, I'm suspecting the Emporer is not making the best use of the CO2 I'm
getting. Are there any suggestions that aren't (1) very expensive (2 and
more important) won't look ugly in my tank.

thanks so much,

bob

CO2 question
 

That's not a lot of bubbles for a fresh batch of a DIY yeast mixture. Maybe
you have a leak? I usually get about a bubble per second with a new batch.

Jody

"Bob A" wrote in message
...
First I want to thank everyone who has helped me get started on DIY CO2,
and
especially Kush who told me I might be using water that was too hot...
that
was in fact the problem.

I also read Leigh's response to someone regarding doubling the amount of
mixture in the bottle, and did that, and it gave me more frequent bubbles
than I had had, but the pH didn't go down.

I'm getting a bubble about every 3-4 seconds, piped into the intake of my
Emperor 400 power filter. My CO2 normally has been about 2-3, now it is
staying a fairly stable 8ppm (KH 2 & pH 7).

I am even seeing a little pearling which is very rewarding. My question
is,
should I be satisfied with this? I would love to see more pearling, but I
don't necessarily want extra-rapid plant grown... I would like them to
grow
of course, but.... I think you understand.

Also, I'm suspecting the Emporer is not making the best use of the CO2 I'm
getting. Are there any suggestions that aren't (1) very expensive (2 and
more important) won't look ugly in my tank.

thanks so much,

bob

CO2 question
 

Jody,

How long does it take for you to get bubbles after you prepare a fresh
batch?

Thanks,

Frank

"Jody" wrote in message
. ..
That's not a lot of bubbles for a fresh batch of a DIY yeast mixture.
Maybe
you have a leak? I usually get about a bubble per second with a new
batch.

Jody

"Bob A" wrote in message
...
First I want to thank everyone who has helped me get started on DIY CO2,
and
especially Kush who told me I might be using water that was too hot...
that
was in fact the problem.

I also read Leigh's response to someone regarding doubling the amount of
mixture in the bottle, and did that, and it gave me more frequent
bubbles
than I had had, but the pH didn't go down.

I'm getting a bubble about every 3-4 seconds, piped into the intake of
my
Emperor 400 power filter. My CO2 normally has been about 2-3, now it is
staying a fairly stable 8ppm (KH 2 & pH 7).

I am even seeing a little pearling which is very rewarding. My question
is,
should I be satisfied with this? I would love to see more pearling, but
I
don't necessarily want extra-rapid plant grown... I would like them to
grow
of course, but.... I think you understand.

Also, I'm suspecting the Emporer is not making the best use of the CO2
I'm
getting. Are there any suggestions that aren't (1) very expensive (2
and
more important) won't look ugly in my tank.

thanks so much,

bob

CO2 question
 

May I? It depends how warm the water is to start. In a two-liter juice
bottle, using room-temperature water and bakers yeast, about 20 minutes. I
only get a bubble a second for the first hour or two. After about a week,
at 68º, I get approximately 1 bubble every five to six seconds.

Frank Mamone wrote in message
.. .
Jody,

How long does it take for you to get bubbles after you prepare a fresh
batch?

Thanks,

Frank

"Jody" wrote in message
. ..
That's not a lot of bubbles for a fresh batch of a DIY yeast mixture.
Maybe
you have a leak? I usually get about a bubble per second with a new
batch.

Jody

"Bob A" wrote in message
...
First I want to thank everyone who has helped me get started on DIY
CO2,
and
especially Kush who told me I might be using water that was too hot...
that
was in fact the problem.

I also read Leigh's response to someone regarding doubling the amount
of
mixture in the bottle, and did that, and it gave me more frequent
bubbles
than I had had, but the pH didn't go down.

I'm getting a bubble about every 3-4 seconds, piped into the intake of
my
Emperor 400 power filter. My CO2 normally has been about 2-3, now it
is
staying a fairly stable 8ppm (KH 2 & pH 7).

I am even seeing a little pearling which is very rewarding. My
question
is,
should I be satisfied with this? I would love to see more pearling,
but
I
don't necessarily want extra-rapid plant grown... I would like them to
grow
of course, but.... I think you understand.

Also, I'm suspecting the Emporer is not making the best use of the CO2
I'm
getting. Are there any suggestions that aren't (1) very expensive (2
and
more important) won't look ugly in my tank.

thanks so much,

bob

CO2 question
 

I can tell you, it takes about an hour or so for me. I'm just beginning so
that's just my experience. I don't start the injection until I see a layer
of tiny bubbles on the surface.

bob


"Frank Mamone" wrote in message
.. .
Jody,

How long does it take for you to get bubbles after you prepare a fresh
batch?

Thanks,

Frank

"Jody" wrote in message
. ..
That's not a lot of bubbles for a fresh batch of a DIY yeast mixture.
Maybe
you have a leak? I usually get about a bubble per second with a new
batch.

Jody

"Bob A" wrote in message
...
First I want to thank everyone who has helped me get started on DIY
CO2,
and
especially Kush who told me I might be using water that was too hot...
that
was in fact the problem.

I also read Leigh's response to someone regarding doubling the amount
of
mixture in the bottle, and did that, and it gave me more frequent
bubbles
than I had had, but the pH didn't go down.

I'm getting a bubble about every 3-4 seconds, piped into the intake of
my
Emperor 400 power filter. My CO2 normally has been about 2-3, now it
is
staying a fairly stable 8ppm (KH 2 & pH 7).

I am even seeing a little pearling which is very rewarding. My
question
is,
should I be satisfied with this? I would love to see more pearling,
but
I
don't necessarily want extra-rapid plant grown... I would like them to
grow
of course, but.... I think you understand.

Also, I'm suspecting the Emporer is not making the best use of the CO2
I'm
getting. Are there any suggestions that aren't (1) very expensive (2
and
more important) won't look ugly in my tank.

thanks so much,

bob

CO2 question
 

Not clear how large your tank is? For my 55 gal, I needed two DIY 2-liter
bottles. I have since switched to compressed gas.

also the bio-wheel on the emperor will cause you to lose a lot of co2. Best
if you don't have such (i.e. another type of filter) or at least keep the
water level filled up high to reduce the splashing of water. Possible to
remove the biowheel,; never have done that; of course that removes some of
your bio filtration.

Bob Alston
"Bob A" wrote in message
...
First I want to thank everyone who has helped me get started on DIY CO2,
and
especially Kush who told me I might be using water that was too hot...
that
was in fact the problem.

I also read Leigh's response to someone regarding doubling the amount of
mixture in the bottle, and did that, and it gave me more frequent bubbles
than I had had, but the pH didn't go down.

I'm getting a bubble about every 3-4 seconds, piped into the intake of my
Emperor 400 power filter. My CO2 normally has been about 2-3, now it is
staying a fairly stable 8ppm (KH 2 & pH 7).

I am even seeing a little pearling which is very rewarding. My question
is,
should I be satisfied with this? I would love to see more pearling, but I
don't necessarily want extra-rapid plant grown... I would like them to
grow
of course, but.... I think you understand.

Also, I'm suspecting the Emporer is not making the best use of the CO2 I'm
getting. Are there any suggestions that aren't (1) very expensive (2 and
more important) won't look ugly in my tank.

thanks so much,

bob

CO2 question
 

Yes, it does depend. It depends on your yeast, temp, how tight the rig is,
etc. I usually set mine up before going to bed, and of course have bubbles
in the morning. I have stayed up on occasion and heard bubbles after about
an hour. I used the juice bottles for quite awhile since I liked the sturdy
bottoms and larger openings. But I finally decided that they leaked too
much for me out of the lid. Try pressing down on the lid and see if you get
more bubbles. If you do, that means your lid is leaking. I switched to the
soda bottles. It actually makes more sense using the soda bottles since
they are made to hold in, yes, CO2! The lid fits tighter and has more
threads. I hated to switch; the juice bottles just *feel* better.

Jody

"kush" wrote in message
...
May I? It depends how warm the water is to start. In a two-liter juice
bottle, using room-temperature water and bakers yeast, about 20 minutes.
I
only get a bubble a second for the first hour or two. After about a week,
at 68º, I get approximately 1 bubble every five to six seconds.

Frank Mamone wrote in message
.. .
Jody,

How long does it take for you to get bubbles after you prepare a fresh
batch?

Thanks,

Frank

"Jody" wrote in message
. ..
That's not a lot of bubbles for a fresh batch of a DIY yeast mixture.
Maybe
you have a leak? I usually get about a bubble per second with a new
batch.

Jody

"Bob A" wrote in message
...
First I want to thank everyone who has helped me get started on DIY
CO2,
and
especially Kush who told me I might be using water that was too
hot...
that
was in fact the problem.

I also read Leigh's response to someone regarding doubling the
amount
of
mixture in the bottle, and did that, and it gave me more frequent
bubbles
than I had had, but the pH didn't go down.

I'm getting a bubble about every 3-4 seconds, piped into the intake
of
my
Emperor 400 power filter. My CO2 normally has been about 2-3, now
it
is
staying a fairly stable 8ppm (KH 2 & pH 7).

I am even seeing a little pearling which is very rewarding. My
question
is,
should I be satisfied with this? I would love to see more pearling,
but
I
don't necessarily want extra-rapid plant grown... I would like them
to
grow
of course, but.... I think you understand.

Also, I'm suspecting the Emporer is not making the best use of the
CO2
I'm
getting. Are there any suggestions that aren't (1) very expensive
(2
and
more important) won't look ugly in my tank.

thanks so much,

bob

CO2 question
 

55g tank.

I have had 2 bottles going for a few days, and getting over a bubble per
second. Maybe the second batch is a better brew. I am reading 17ppm CO2.

I do suspect I'm losing a lot of the CO2 with this type of reactor. I'm
going to be searching for something better. I saw some at marinemonsters
for $25, may look into those again.

I have decided to take out my heater, so putting in a reactor won't be so
bad.

I don't know if this was a good idea (comments?) but when my pH got down to
6.8 I added 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, tested KH a few hours later, and it
had gone up from 2d to 3d. PH level did not change appreciably.

thanks!

bob


"Bob Alston" wrote in message
. ..
Not clear how large your tank is? For my 55 gal, I needed two DIY 2-liter
bottles. I have since switched to compressed gas.

also the bio-wheel on the emperor will cause you to lose a lot of co2.
Best
if you don't have such (i.e. another type of filter) or at least keep the
water level filled up high to reduce the splashing of water. Possible to
remove the biowheel,; never have done that; of course that removes some
of
your bio filtration.

Bob Alston
"Bob A" wrote in message
...
First I want to thank everyone who has helped me get started on DIY CO2,
and
especially Kush who told me I might be using water that was too hot...
that
was in fact the problem.

I also read Leigh's response to someone regarding doubling the amount of
mixture in the bottle, and did that, and it gave me more frequent
bubbles
than I had had, but the pH didn't go down.

I'm getting a bubble about every 3-4 seconds, piped into the intake of
my
Emperor 400 power filter. My CO2 normally has been about 2-3, now it is
staying a fairly stable 8ppm (KH 2 & pH 7).

I am even seeing a little pearling which is very rewarding. My question
is,
should I be satisfied with this? I would love to see more pearling, but
I
don't necessarily want extra-rapid plant grown... I would like them to
grow
of course, but.... I think you understand.

Also, I'm suspecting the Emporer is not making the best use of the CO2
I'm
getting. Are there any suggestions that aren't (1) very expensive (2
and
more important) won't look ugly in my tank.

thanks so much,

bob

CO2 question
 

I initially used a fine airstone as a diffuser. Eventually I decided on a
reactor from Plant Guild.

http://www.familychest.com/plantguil..._reactors.html

I have been very happy with it in my 55 gal.

Bob
"Bob A" wrote in message
...
55g tank.

I have had 2 bottles going for a few days, and getting over a bubble per
second. Maybe the second batch is a better brew. I am reading 17ppm CO2.

I do suspect I'm losing a lot of the CO2 with this type of reactor. I'm
going to be searching for something better. I saw some at marinemonsters
for $25, may look into those again.

I have decided to take out my heater, so putting in a reactor won't be so
bad.

I don't know if this was a good idea (comments?) but when my pH got down
to
6.8 I added 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, tested KH a few hours later, and it
had gone up from 2d to 3d. PH level did not change appreciably.

thanks!

bob


"Bob Alston" wrote in message
. ..
Not clear how large your tank is? For my 55 gal, I needed two DIY
2-liter
bottles. I have since switched to compressed gas.

also the bio-wheel on the emperor will cause you to lose a lot of co2.
Best
if you don't have such (i.e. another type of filter) or at least keep
the
water level filled up high to reduce the splashing of water. Possible
to
remove the biowheel,; never have done that; of course that removes some
of
your bio filtration.

Bob Alston
"Bob A" wrote in message
...
First I want to thank everyone who has helped me get started on DIY
CO2,
and
especially Kush who told me I might be using water that was too hot...
that
was in fact the problem.

I also read Leigh's response to someone regarding doubling the amount
of
mixture in the bottle, and did that, and it gave me more frequent
bubbles
than I had had, but the pH didn't go down.

I'm getting a bubble about every 3-4 seconds, piped into the intake of
my
Emperor 400 power filter. My CO2 normally has been about 2-3, now it
is
staying a fairly stable 8ppm (KH 2 & pH 7).

I am even seeing a little pearling which is very rewarding. My
question
is,
should I be satisfied with this? I would love to see more pearling,
but
I
don't necessarily want extra-rapid plant grown... I would like them to
grow
of course, but.... I think you understand.

Also, I'm suspecting the Emporer is not making the best use of the CO2
I'm
getting. Are there any suggestions that aren't (1) very expensive (2
and
more important) won't look ugly in my tank.

thanks so much,

bob

CO2 question
 

when you use that diffuser does the pump on it fill the tube of the diffuser
with oxygen,when your water gets oxygenated from your plant,I find my main
filter shoots out oxygen when my plants start to peal due to a high oxygen
content in the water.I guees it could be c02 becuse there would be a high
content of that too,but i think it's oxygen, would that mess things up in
the reactor. thx
"Bob Alston" wrote in message
. ..
I initially used a fine airstone as a diffuser. Eventually I decided on a
reactor from Plant Guild.

http://www.familychest.com/plantguil..._reactors.html

I have been very happy with it in my 55 gal.

Bob
"Bob A" wrote in message
...
55g tank.

I have had 2 bottles going for a few days, and getting over a bubble per
second. Maybe the second batch is a better brew. I am reading 17ppm
CO2.

I do suspect I'm losing a lot of the CO2 with this type of reactor. I'm
going to be searching for something better. I saw some at
marinemonsters
for $25, may look into those again.

I have decided to take out my heater, so putting in a reactor won't be
so
bad.

I don't know if this was a good idea (comments?) but when my pH got down
to
6.8 I added 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, tested KH a few hours later, and
it
had gone up from 2d to 3d. PH level did not change appreciably.

thanks!

bob


"Bob Alston" wrote in message
. ..
Not clear how large your tank is? For my 55 gal, I needed two DIY
2-liter
bottles. I have since switched to compressed gas.

also the bio-wheel on the emperor will cause you to lose a lot of co2.
Best
if you don't have such (i.e. another type of filter) or at least keep
the
water level filled up high to reduce the splashing of water. Possible
to
remove the biowheel,; never have done that; of course that removes
some
of
your bio filtration.

Bob Alston
"Bob A" wrote in message
...
First I want to thank everyone who has helped me get started on DIY
CO2,
and
especially Kush who told me I might be using water that was too
hot...
that
was in fact the problem.

I also read Leigh's response to someone regarding doubling the
amount
of
mixture in the bottle, and did that, and it gave me more frequent
bubbles
than I had had, but the pH didn't go down.

I'm getting a bubble about every 3-4 seconds, piped into the intake
of
my
Emperor 400 power filter. My CO2 normally has been about 2-3, now
it
is
staying a fairly stable 8ppm (KH 2 & pH 7).

I am even seeing a little pearling which is very rewarding. My
question
is,
should I be satisfied with this? I would love to see more pearling,
but
I
don't necessarily want extra-rapid plant grown... I would like them
to
grow
of course, but.... I think you understand.

Also, I'm suspecting the Emporer is not making the best use of the
CO2
I'm
getting. Are there any suggestions that aren't (1) very expensive
(2
and
more important) won't look ugly in my tank.

thanks so much,

bob

CO2 question
 

Best I can tell the bubbles in my diffuser/reactor are only co2 bubbles.
Cause that is what I am bubbling in. It is my understanding that
concentrations of co2 do not interfere with concentrations of O2 and vice
versa. anyway the reactor seems to ensure all the co2 gets absorbed by the
water and none lost, bubbling to the surface.

Bob
"mark" wrote in message
. ca...
when you use that diffuser does the pump on it fill the tube of the
diffuser
with oxygen,when your water gets oxygenated from your plant,I find my main
filter shoots out oxygen when my plants start to peal due to a high oxygen
content in the water.I guees it could be c02 becuse there would be a high
content of that too,but i think it's oxygen, would that mess things up in
the reactor. thx
"Bob Alston" wrote in message
. ..
I initially used a fine airstone as a diffuser. Eventually I decided on
a
reactor from Plant Guild.

http://www.familychest.com/plantguil..._reactors.html

I have been very happy with it in my 55 gal.

Bob
"Bob A" wrote in message
...
55g tank.

I have had 2 bottles going for a few days, and getting over a bubble
per
second. Maybe the second batch is a better brew. I am reading 17ppm
CO2.

I do suspect I'm losing a lot of the CO2 with this type of reactor.
I'm
going to be searching for something better. I saw some at
marinemonsters
for $25, may look into those again.

I have decided to take out my heater, so putting in a reactor won't be
so
bad.

I don't know if this was a good idea (comments?) but when my pH got
down
to
6.8 I added 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, tested KH a few hours later, and
it
had gone up from 2d to 3d. PH level did not change appreciably.

thanks!

bob


"Bob Alston" wrote in message
. ..
Not clear how large your tank is? For my 55 gal, I needed two DIY
2-liter
bottles. I have since switched to compressed gas.

also the bio-wheel on the emperor will cause you to lose a lot of
co2.
Best
if you don't have such (i.e. another type of filter) or at least
keep
the
water level filled up high to reduce the splashing of water.
Possible
to
remove the biowheel,; never have done that; of course that removes
some
of
your bio filtration.

Bob Alston
"Bob A" wrote in message
...
First I want to thank everyone who has helped me get started on
DIY
CO2,
and
especially Kush who told me I might be using water that was too
hot...
that
was in fact the problem.

I also read Leigh's response to someone regarding doubling the
amount
of
mixture in the bottle, and did that, and it gave me more frequent
bubbles
than I had had, but the pH didn't go down.

I'm getting a bubble about every 3-4 seconds, piped into the
intake
of
my
Emperor 400 power filter. My CO2 normally has been about 2-3, now
it
is
staying a fairly stable 8ppm (KH 2 & pH 7).

I am even seeing a little pearling which is very rewarding. My
question
is,
should I be satisfied with this? I would love to see more
pearling,
but
I
don't necessarily want extra-rapid plant grown... I would like
them
to
grow
of course, but.... I think you understand.

Also, I'm suspecting the Emporer is not making the best use of the
CO2
I'm
getting. Are there any suggestions that aren't (1) very expensive
(2
and
more important) won't look ugly in my tank.

thanks so much,

bob

CO2 question
 

Bob Alston wrote ...

It is my understanding that concentrations of co2 do not interfere with
concentrations of O2 and vice
versa

That's true only to a point. Liquid water has a finite capacity to contain
dissolved gasses. Beyond a certain point, it isn't helpful to add more gas
because the excess will simply bubble out. A pressure bubble builds over
the impeller in your mechanical filter, which every so often comes out with
a rush - in my house scaring the bejeezus out of the cat who sleeps under
the tank stand where it's nice and warm.

Colder water contains more dissolved gasses than warmer water. Therefore,
as you raise your temperature on your thermostat, you reduce the potential
for total dissolved CO2 and O. I keep my thermostats set between 72º and
74º, which probably ****es off my angels, but which is good for my plants
and also inhibits algae growth.

CO2 question
 

Well - if I stop bubbling in co2 the bubbles from my reactor disappear.

Agree with your statements, however they seem consistent with what I wrote.
So I don't think you were really disagreeing with what I wrote.

Bob
"kush" wrote in message
...
Bob Alston wrote ...

It is my understanding that concentrations of co2 do not interfere with
concentrations of O2 and vice
versa

That's true only to a point. Liquid water has a finite capacity to
contain
dissolved gasses. Beyond a certain point, it isn't helpful to add more
gas
because the excess will simply bubble out. A pressure bubble builds over
the impeller in your mechanical filter, which every so often comes out
with
a rush - in my house scaring the bejeezus out of the cat who sleeps under
the tank stand where it's nice and warm.

Colder water contains more dissolved gasses than warmer water. Therefore,
as you raise your temperature on your thermostat, you reduce the potential
for total dissolved CO2 and O. I keep my thermostats set between 72º and
74º, which probably ****es off my angels, but which is good for my plants
and also inhibits algae growth.

CO2 question
 

On Sun, 09 Mar 2003 13:20:13 GMT, "kush"
wrote:

That's true only to a point. Liquid water has a finite capacity to contain
dissolved gasses.

It's completely true at the O2 and CO2 levels found in our tanks.





Chuck Gadd
http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua