Set up my first DIY Co2 system!

Yesterday I finally did it, added a DIY Co2 system. I used a 1.8L Ozarks bottle filled 3/4 full of water, 2 cups of sugar, 1/4 Teaspoon of yeast and 1/2 teaspoon of backing soda. I dialed the bps to 1 - 1.5. Instead of running a diffuser, I just plumed the Co2 to the filter. We will see how she goes. I thought I had done something wrong seems how I was not getting enough pressure in the bottle to get the Co2 into the tank. Then I realized all I needed to do was give the bottle a little shake/spin to prime the bottle. This morning the bubbles were still at 1 - 1.5 bps.

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Comment by TONY K on October 10, 2012 at 8:31pm: just scratching my head, by looking at your tank, why do you think you need co 2? your plants look really healthy with out it???? don't do it!!! your going to grow algea. the thing people don't tell you about those "dyi" co2 systems is its very unstable. if your going to use co2 pressurized is the way to go. at least then you can controll the dose. if you have slow growing plants adding co2 is a receipe for algea. trust me i know!!!!

Comment by TONY K on October 10, 2012 at 8:37pm: your anubias will love you if you don't use co2 :)

Comment by Brian Dowling on October 10, 2012 at 9:06pm: The Anubais is going on 8 years old believe it or not. I have only had one 18" florescent on it until just recently. I bought the Aqueon LED hood a week ago or so. I was hoping that would help with the growth. All the other plants are brand new. I thought the Angels would also benefit from the pH drop with the CO².

Comment by LED on October 10, 2012 at 10:54pm: with the addition of new plants that are potentially faster growers the tank will most likely benefit from CO2 addition.

Comment by Brian Dowling on October 11, 2012 at 9:06am: Well the pH dropped to 7.0 last night and the KH is now at a 4. So I think my CO² is somewhere between 12 and 19. I think I am going to go pick up some buffer at the LPS tonight. Any suggestions on a brand or alternative way to level out the pH? even an on-line source for mail-ordering the buffer would be great to.

Comment by Brian Dowling on October 11, 2012 at 11:17pm: I did another KH and pH test today (day 4) and the readings came back at 6.4 pH and 4 KH.

Cole at my LPS told me there was not enough gas exchange going on. Not having enough top water movement could cause the tanks pH to drop to fast when adding CO². He mentioned I might want to lower my bps count on the CO² and add some buffer like you all on the forum said. My air pump dyed the day I plugged in my CO², well I broke the hose nipple off. So I grabbed another at the shop. When I noticed they only had one for a 30 gallon tank. Cole slipped me one for a 50 he had in the back. So in all I picked up buffer and a pump.

Comment by LED on October 12, 2012 at 2:12am: kewl, glad you have the ablility to increase cas exchange with the air outside the tank. if your plants were faster growers or had more of them (which is only if you want a change in your aesthetics) then that could fix it. but its easier to keep what you like and simply increase surface/air exchange or add air bubbles

Comment by Brian Dowling on October 12, 2012 at 9:11am: Thanks LEDPreponderantDude and TONY K. I want to get my CO² up to 30ppm don't I? Or should I just forget about the CO² and put a plant food supplement in the water? The plants need to it don't they? I did upgrade the hood so the plants are probably going to do well with the added UV. My tank was doing fine before I added the CO²,

Comment by Brian Dowling on October 16, 2012 at 1:14pm: The tank is looking great! the pH is at 7.0 after a few water changes and the KH is right at 5. I am going to slowly increase the CO² until I get the PPM over 20. I have 2 unknown plant bulbs sprouting after just one week. I also removed my glass to to help with light penetration. All is going great.

Comment by DePreston on November 2, 2012 at 5:00pm: I have been using a home made CO2 system and my plants look great, no algea at all. I do change the water and yeast about every two weeks. Just saying it worked for me.