The best DIY Aquarium Co2 System with bubble counter and recipe

[AquaticGardening]

good job I wished i would of thought about a filter

[themoxthemoxthemox]

just wanted to ask mate, with the valve you said you can add, would the restriction of pressure end up in an explosion? i've heard some horror stories is all where they've restricted the flow of C02 on DIY systems and the pressure build up ends up popping the top off the lids

[djspanky1505]

Is the bubble counter considered required?

[djspanky1505]

Is the bubble counter considered required?

[arkanox111]

Is the baking soda meant to neutralize any carbonic acid that may be generated in the reactor?

[bobcheese427]

AC130 inbound! ...someone had to do it :) great vid

[mysweetstarr1]

Thank You very much sir.!!

[crystalclearwolf]

I would advise activating the yeast before adding it. Doing this should help speed up CO2 production quickly, as well as giving you a chance to test your yeast and make sure its good before ruining a batch.

Just put dissolve your yeast and a few pinches of sugar into a small container of water, stir, and let sit for 10 minutes before adding. You want the water warm, but not hot- less than 100 degrees F. It will foam and smell like bread or alcohol if it's properly activated and good to use.

[tunedis95]

Great video. This is the video i used for my co2 setup.

[captmicha]

This uses a lot of sugar. Mmm... sugar. I was told to use twice the amount of yeast that you said.

[djjoni2]

Hey dude. My aquarium is full of plants , thanks for the video really helped :) . 1 question. I have an air pump hooked up to an air stone and a separate water filter. Can i use the water filter as a diffuser? Or should i but an airstone?

[stevewin123]

@djjoni2 Get rid of the air pump, that will disturb the surface of the water too much and allow CO2 to quickly leave your tank. If you have lots of plants, they're making O2. Just use your air stone that you had connected to your air pump and connect it to the CO2 reactor and use a zip tie to tie the hose so that the air stone is just below your filter's intake. All the bubbles will be sucked into your filter, mixed by the impeller and CO2 rich water will be returned to your tank.

[Breathexandxletxgo]

Very helpful :) Thank you! And as a side note, I find your voice oddly comforting lol

[2000wb]

wich tubesize fits the filter

[AwesomeAssassin1000]

10 dollard for a 1 gallon filter wtf is wrong with pet stores

[bascardi19891]

Bottle falling over 1:40 made my day. Good explaination, going to try this myself. Thanks.

[TheFirstFool]

This doesn't help me completely though, since I'm pretty stupid. How is it all setup? Is gravity a factor? Do you have to position the bottles in a certain way at a certain height? I don't understand the way the filter/diffuser works. I really need someone to hold my hand through it al haha.

[iWearGlassesLOL]

@TheFirstFool

Its not gravity. The yeast will eat the sugar in the water and poop out carbon dioxide. The bottle is sealed so the only way the pooped co2 will escape is the hose. As the yeast poops the pressure will build up since its sealed and gets pushed to your tank.

How the diffuser works is that the longer the bubble stays in the water the more the co2 will mix with the water. I just use a cigarette filter stuck on the end of the air hose, it makes tiny bubbles.

[TheFirstFool]

@iWearGlassesLOL Thanks, but you're a bit late. I've had my Co2 reactor setup for about 4 days now and its doing rather nicely. Although, your comment about the cigarette filter sounds interesting. I bought a limewood diffuser from the shop for $5 and the air seems to be coming from the plastic join instead of the diffuser itself, making the bubbles larger than I would have liked. I might try your way, thanks! Not too late after all it seems :)

[ElsieDUDE]

can I use something like (don't know the name for it in english) the thing that produces airbubbles in an aquarium instead of the filter or maybe a spongefilter?

[MrReeferton]

if you dont want to use the baking soda how much yeast should i put in my 2 qt (1.89) liter

[pivotking111]

IMA GONNA CALL IN AN AC130 AND FUCK SHIT UP!!!!!!!

[mentalRCburnouts]

also how many 1 quart gatorade bottles filled with yeast and stuff should i have for a ten gallon tetra tank.

[GroinStabbingPro]

@mentalRCburnouts In one of my videos of my 10 Gallon you can see a 1L waterbottle co2 setup. It worked well, and lasted a couple weeks almost.

[mentalRCburnouts]

instead of silcone can i use super glue or will it be to weak

[GroinStabbingPro]

@mentalRCburnouts Gel Super glue may work, but you'd need to use a lot I think. I've used silicone, clay, and just pressure fitting the tube in the lid. Clay is working the best, but needs to be relaced each refil.

[mentalRCburnouts]

@GroinStabbingPro like molding clay from micheles or something.

[GroinStabbingPro]

@mentalRCburnouts Yeah, the type you would put in a kiln to harden. I think two part epoxy would work well too.

[captmicha]

I followed directions and am getting some CO2 but I'm not getting a bubble a second and it's been about a week now. My room is usually 52-75 degrees.

[captmicha]

@captmicha Um, meant 72-75 degrees!

[x9f4lcon]

wousnt u need the check valve between the bubble counter dn the bottle? because the way u did it ur preventing water to get into the bubble counter not the bottle? just asking because i have my valve cheks before the bubble counter

[BLAISAUT]

THX men

[boognishmofo]

There co2 does not go through the powerhead impeller does it. basically the powerhead helps disperse the bubbles and probably helps the gas being sucked out of the generator rather than straight pressure. would it help any if the line was put through the bottom so the impeller chops it up more before being expelled. do you not need a difuser using this method?

[55Range]

Hey ! Nice

Can you just do a list of things to buy for the diy co2 system ?

Except the ingredients- i mean equipment- : Check valve , pipes, airstone - Thats it ?

[JohnWoo]

Don't use kitchen sponges, sometimes they contain chemicals that may be harmful to your fish, plants or bacteria.

[Carmador]

Its the A130. Not AC130, been playing too much MW2

[dkz]

can anyonecomment on what i did wrong?

its been more than 48 hours and my C02 doesn't seem to form any bubbles and nothing is coming up I've used 2 cups on sugar, 1/4 yeast and 1/2 baking soda recipe

[dkz]

@dkz here is a screenshot of it.. imageshack.us/f/202/imag0275j.­jpg/

[MizuKesshou]

How would you turn off the Co2 in the aquarium at night?

[AnonymousMienDude]

hey i like your vid it was very easy to do but one question i wanna kno how long do it last before u have refill the mix co2? 

[bbqchickenman]

You said that at night they dont need CO2..

Isn't it the opposite?

Plants use light and oxygen to make energy. Once there is not light, they take the energy and convert CO2 to glucose. So at night with no light you would need to CO2 for CO2 fixation and during the day you wouldn't need it as much since you're mostly making energy.

Am I getting something wrong?

[mqatarm1]

nice job man keep it up :)

[Hectortuba155817]

how much water do i need?

[TheBSideDJ]

1) what about night ?

2) valve to control bubbles.. if you use valve (making tube-section smaller), then more pressure built up in your bottle (i think)..., isn't that a problem ?

tanx for anwers.

[GEEZEE562]

And I'm not using a mini filter I'm using a powerhead

[GEEZEE562]

Hi I was wondering if the bubble counter doesn't come out 1 per second am I'm doing something wrong please reply thanks

[amazonfishkeeper]

hi could you help me i made a co2 system bout an hour ago could you see if i did it correct thanks

[captmicha]

How do you know how many bottles or what size bottles you need for certain size aquariums? I have a 45 gallon, 15 gallon, 10 gallon, 3 gallon, 2.5 gallon and so on.

[liv4daoutdoors]

i got a question i use the same mini filter with my diy co2 . since plants dont use co2 at night can i just unplug the mini filter so it doesnt chop the bubble up and big bubbles will go straight to the surface or should i be completely taking the co2 out at night?

[decbouk]

Very clear vid! Do you leave CO2 on all night or shut it off, whats the cycle??

[firefox51]

these have to be the easiest instructions to follow and the mini filter is a very clever way of dispersing the c02 around the tank.

thanks mate.

[marcjtdc]

you can adjust the speed of the bubbles by adjusting the temp from 65-85. higher is more co2 lower is less.

i make my own wine.

[xinix3]

lol the AC-130 :) (CoD: MW2)

[BoboIntelligence]

@xinix3

same thing i said lol

[PhishNFilly]

Can you plz tell me where do I get this check valve??? Thanks, Julia

[deadeyedillon]

i know this may be a silly question and i am sorry for that. i really like your video its very informative but im a bit confused...you cant place the pump in your tank because of electricity do you only place the tubing into your tank?

[liv4daoutdoors]

@deadeyedillon this is a submersable pump so it goes under water

[davinreader]

Thank you for helping me no how to do DIY co2!

I have the Hagen Elite filter already so thank you for saying that!

Thanks a lot!

[GetTheJist]

whoever made the mini filter was addicted to call of duty (AC130)

[sasexe13]

Making CO2 reactor is only 50% job done. Other 50% is how you diffuse CO2 in the tank. You can produce tons of CO2 , but if you don't diffuse it properly you wasted your time. CO2 Bubbles need to make contact with the water as long as possible (till they diffuse). Air stones or chop sticks are OK IF/IF they are inside a tube (trapping the bubbles). Small water pump is attached to tube disturbing the bubbles chopping them smaller and smaller until 70-80% diffused, or just buy diffuser

[jorgeogrande]

Where can i buy a check valve??

Thanks for the video =)

[WorldOfKaroo]

@jorgeogrande I got mine off ebay for .99 + plus 1.00 shipping. High quality glass and plastic valve too. They're not expensive at all.

[deeshizzlee]

hey sir, I've watched about 10 of these just now and yours helped the most. My difficulty of understanding at the moment is a diffuser, yours seems to work well and inexpensive, but I am trying to go free of charge on that and I'm out of plug space ha ha, any ideas? And with the "bubbler counter" which I like your idea, but would that decrease the co2 at all, since its dispersing ...then dispersing again?

[aquariumcentral]

@deeshizzlee

Hey there, I'm glad you found my video helpful. The co2 system has no leaks so even if co2 happened to be "dispersed" it will have to continue along to the aquarium. Co2 is only used up once it actually reaches the plants, this will not occur in the bubble counter. Some people insert a chop stick (about an inch long) into the airline to help disperse the bubble but it doesn't compare to the pump I use. My recommendation be to buy more powerbars, I have like 3 powerbars per tank

[deeshizzlee]

@aquariumcentral power bars? and you answered everything well. thank you. I have today off I'm going to try this out.

[MasonCrain]

@aquariumcentral could a airstone be used

[captmicha]

@aquariumcentral Powerbars? What are those?

[Sflorek100]

@aquariumcentral

Hi, Great DIY video! One quick question, what do you use for your check valve?

[TheJin316]

Hi!im just wondering,could i also exhale through a tube to the water?i mean when we exhale, we also produce CO2 right?

[elementle]

@TheJin316 but are you really going to stand by your tank and blow through a straw into your tank for long periods of time. as for your question, I'm not sure that would work as along with co2, we also exhale small amounts of carbon monoxide and trace amounts of ammonia, acetone, methanol and ethanol (depending on your diet, fitness and what not).

[deeshizzlee]

hey sir, I've watched about 10 of these just now and yours helped the most. My difficulty of understanding at the moment is a diffuser, yours seems to work well and inexpensive, but I am trying to go free of charge on that and I'm out of plug space ha ha, any ideas? And with the "bubbler counter" which I like your idea, but would that decrease the co2 at all, since its dispersing ...then dispersing again?

[erbal]

are you the comic book guy from simpsons?

[MrOreo2345]

make a video about your aquariam pls

[andystringer83]

Thanks for sharing. Will try it and let you know.

[lazyray304]

are you sure you seen the "BEST"????????

[barrowscasper12]

hehehe ac130 :P (funny if u play allot of fps :P)

[aquariumcentral]

I've never tried baking soda and vinegar. I probably wouldn't recommend doing that because baking soda and vinegar causes bubbles to fuzz up and this could possibly travel into the tank

[c2ktheotherartist]

have you tried baking soda and vinegar? ive heard that people use that inhydroponics and green houses

[geok59]

can you tell me how long the co2 charge lasts? days,month, until you needto mix a new batch?

[aquariumcentral]

@geok59

The co2 can last anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks. It really depends on what kind of yeast you use. I've started to use two co2 bottles instead of the traditional one bottle so that I have more stable and constant pressure.

[geok59]

how long ,days or months, does the co2 last before you have to make a new batch?

[w8ting4fri]

hey i have a question.. i followed all of this and its starting to work but i use a tetra whisper will that work?

[buggy2105]

You mentioned about my mixture hasn't fermented. How long does it take to fully ferment ?

[aquariumcentral]

You could add more yeast. Make sure that whatever your using to diffuse the co2 is not below 6 inches of the water line otherwise it will not work because you wont be able to generate enough pressure.

[buggy2105]

I think the problem is the pressure from the bubble counter is not enough to push water out airline to the tank. How can I solve this issue ?

[buggy2105]

How long does it take to ferment ? I have heard that it may take up to 3 days ?mine is about 24 hours now. there is no bubble in the fish tank only in the bubble counter.

Thank you

[aquariumcentral]

It sounds like your co2 mixture hasn't fermented for long enough to build up substantial pressure. Otherwise there might just be a leak somewhere between your bubble counter and diffuser. Hope this helps

[buggy2105]

I have a problem. I have air buble in the counter bottle but I dont see any bubble in the tank , and i have wait almost 24 hours now. Can you tell me what is wrong with my CO2. Thank you

( my recipe is 2 cups of sugar, 1 tsp of yeast with 2 lit soda bottle)

[proto35]

good idea bro. 

[trucklover9]

I use the same little black filter to diffuse my c02.

[ryan12381793]

nice video dude. i like the bubble counter idea. i'm basically using the same setup except with a little powerhead instead of the mini filter. Its worked fairly well so far except for fluctuating co2 levels (but thats what u get with the diy setup). Well keep up the good work!