The best DIY Aquarium Co2 System with bubble counter and recipe

In this video we discuss how to build a do it yourself aquarium co2 reactor, bubble counter, diffuser and the best recipe to use to generate co2. Co2 is used in planted aquariums and when used will produced great results. Your plants will look larger, greener and they will be all around healthier. Plant's in an aquarium absorb co2 and convert it into oxygen during the day (when the lights are on). Please be advised that at night (when the lights are off), plants actually use oxygen instead of producing oxygen and no longer require co2.

The ingredients for this (1.89 litres bottle) recipe are:
-2 cups of sugar
-1/4 tsp of yeast
-1/2 tsp of baking soda
-then fill the bottle 3/4th's of the way full with water.

-Shake the contents with your hand over the lid and then attach the bottle to the system

The reaction will begin to occur within 24 hours. Once the reaction has started you will want to check your bubble counter that your mixture is producing about 1 bubble/second

The mixture typically needs to be replaced every 3-4 weeks. If you notice the bubble count has drastically dropped below 1 bubble/second feel free to shake the container.

*Warning* If you notice any fish bobbing near the surface it means they're probably gasping for air and that there is to much co2 in the aquarium. For smaller aquariums beware of this and if it should occur add a valve to reduce the bubble per second rate.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Aquarium
• co2
• diy
• reactor
• generator
• diffuser
• recipe
• bubble
• counter
• homemade
• easy
• instructions
• how
• to
• best
• planted

[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

[Carmador]

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

[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

[Sflorek100]

@aquariumcentral

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

[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.