Mini DIY CO2 Reactor in Aquarium (prototype 1 of 2)

[Z3kedog]

please i have no where else to turn because google utterly failed me. i set up my co2 reactor and bubbles come up well through the check. However they aren't going into the tank. Ive tried and tried to find leaks at the seals of the check but can't find any. when I look at some water droplets in the tube (from the check to the fish tank) i can see them slowly moving backwards. What could this possibly be? ive done the water test and ZERO bubbles break free. still im somehow loosing pressure?

[toantt1010]

yo jazzy . thanks alot for the proper explanation bro. ever other sites just put up confusing stuff and no explanations. cheers bro!!

[tonydoza6]

Genius

[backerj11]

smart concept for the diffusing. Well played.

[JacobH420]

awesome job dude

[Dengakuman13]

Is there any sort of problem haveing the disolved Co2 pass through active carbon?

[risko1100]

i only have a question how do you know how much co2 is getting in the tank? or for how long do you have it on?

[RandomlyThoughtOut]

whats the difference in having a sponge and not having one?

[iamnub672]

where did u get this powerhead?

[Jazzy78910]

Local pet store. They call it an Internal Sponge Filter, as it does have media inside it.

[sk8crazy93]

Wow great idea :D

I did something similar to this but the measuring cup would help a lot more. Cheers

[FishLoverX]

is there two tube connecting the reactor? is it the Co2 tube and the oxgen tube?

[d2jsp911]

I did both but its still not working for me. woow yuor working well cool please help me. Thanks

[d2jsp911]

lol, it doesn't work for me. I don't know why. Its work only 4hours after that the Co2 went down to the bottom the cup

[Jazzy78910]

that just means that there is not enough agitation from the water pump.  try using a thicker hose, or connecting the cup directly to the pump outlet for more water pressure.

[d2jsp911]

Im making one the same like this video, i hope its work for me. Nice video

[tim0090]

why do you need to add carbon dioxide to a aquarium???

[RAmenFSM]

Makes plants grow much faster.

[oscar2hot4u]

for the plants

[mangisda]

most effecient ive seen so far.

[reckless317]

Hey Jazzy, wouldnt you wanna thin out the pad?

Good Luck,

Peace, Chris

[eazyone23]

I think this method is the best one on Youtube

1. Because of its size

2. its seem to be working correctly

3. The sponge bit is a brilliant idea

4. I like it !!

[bearlionpig]

very nice

[NickoliAN87]

I'm actually going to use this, I really need one for my 'baby' plants. What power head/water pump are you using and what kind of little cup are you using?

[stirling84]

hey man i made the reactor and set it up but have yet to make my co2 bottle. one question though the tube that goes to your co2 does that ever get any water in it or does the co2 coming through keep it out. i'm asking because mine fills up about 2 inches up the tube and wondered why?

[Jazzy78910]

It will fill up if there is no pressure pushing the water back out again. Once you start a yeast/sugar bottle,The CO2 will be pressurized out of the tube keeping the water out. It's a good idea to put a check valve on the tube just in case water gets too far in.

[stirling84]

i really like this, gonna check out your other just now. I'm in the process of getting new lighting then i'm gonna make a d.i.y co2 injection. I was just wondering how important these are? could you not just put the co2 outlet to the filter inlet and let it dissolve in the filter or are there drawbacks to that?

[Jazzy78910]

You can really inject the CO2 into any part of the tank, so long as there is sufficient turbulence to dissolve the CO2 into the water. If you could find a way to make it work in your filter, that would be fine.

[greenaquarium]

it works

[lovenarutovshinata]

great :X

[FarangBalls]

nice reactor man! simple and effective, i love this reactor. can i ask what kind of filtration, lighting, etc you use for this tank?

[quaqa88]

That is the smartest thing I have ever seen! The scouring pad is not harmful to your fish? How is it that the cup does not fill up with CO2?

[Jazzy78910]

The Scouring pad is fine to use in fish tanks, you could also use a sponge of some sort.

The cup does not fill up with CO2 because it is dissolved in the rush of water from the filter outlet (Gases dissolve in water when they are churned up). The idea being that the Gases can't escape through the souring pad, but the CO2 enriched water can.

Be sure to check out my 2nd prototype video, as its a more successful design.

[quaqa88]

Thanks!

[leemonkyt]

Amazing!!!! Well Done. How do you get the sponge/scouring pad to stay in the cup?

I was thinking of using a cough medicine cup. would that work or to small?

[MestreShinobi]

I will give it a try! Nicely done

[jeff2114]

how do u get the CO2 in there?

[Jazzy78910]

a tube runs from the reactor to a soda bottle. Inside the bottle is 1 and a quarter cups of sugar, a half teaspoon of yeast and luke-warm water filled 4 inches from the top.

This combination of ingredients produces CO2 which is pressurized up the tube into the reactor.

[lookoutrainbows]

Cool video. Good idea. ; )

[partyonman1959]

Nice videos man. You are breeding black neons, what about the colored ones? I'm setting up a 130 gallon planted and I want about 20 to 30 cardnal tetras. Is breeding them the same as black neon tetras?

[Jazzy78910]

Its similar in concept but I think cardinals are more delicate and sensitive to water quality etc. I am going okay with Black Neons, but haven't tried Cardinals or normal Neons yet.

As with everything, its determination and willingness to try and try again.

I lost my last brood of Black Neons to a bad infusoria (microscopic food) culture. You live and learn.

[jeff2114]

this looks cool, but im confused how it works exactly :S