a buncha pix
- Thread starter Backdraft Bagel
- Start date
One more thing that i didn't see while skimming through the list that is usually included:
A Check Valve
This will prevent water from siphoning back out of the tank.
Also, for mine, I stuck the airline tubing through the cap, and then siliconed it in on both sides - air tight. To make the hole, I heated up a screwdriver in a flame and melted the plastic - it worked great.
A Check Valve
This will prevent water from siphoning back out of the tank.
Also, for mine, I stuck the airline tubing through the cap, and then siliconed it in on both sides - air tight. To make the hole, I heated up a screwdriver in a flame and melted the plastic - it worked great.
Yes, I have a glass top. No, I don't have much surface movement. I hat a HOT Magnum 250 filter, and I keep the tank filled to a certain level plus point the filter outlet down just a wee bit so that it does not disturb the surface.
Also, has anyone ever encountered a situation where the check valve saved them? I was under the impression that check valves wouldn't work in a DIY CO2 system because there is pressure coming from the yeast tank, which is on the wrong end of the check valve. Anyone?
I have yet to install, or need, a check valve.
Also, has anyone ever encountered a situation where the check valve saved them? I was under the impression that check valves wouldn't work in a DIY CO2 system because there is pressure coming from the yeast tank, which is on the wrong end of the check valve. Anyone?
I have yet to install, or need, a check valve.
i just figured better safe than sorry for about a buck
someone I knew a while ago had a DIY system that had a teeny hole in it somewhere, which caused the water to syphon into the bottle (the water pressure was greater than the CO2), mixed with the mixture, then somehow the hole fixed itself or shifted or something and the crap syphoned back into the tank. But whatever...for a dollar it just seems worth knowing its there for whatever reason.
someone I knew a while ago had a DIY system that had a teeny hole in it somewhere, which caused the water to syphon into the bottle (the water pressure was greater than the CO2), mixed with the mixture, then somehow the hole fixed itself or shifted or something and the crap syphoned back into the tank. But whatever...for a dollar it just seems worth knowing its there for whatever reason.
Last edited:
It's easy, all you do is look! 
How the co2 works is that the yeast is feeding on the sugar in the water. When you "start" a new C02 can rolling it takes a day or two for the yeast culture to ramp up. You can notice the increase in bubbles over the first couple of days. Over time, the yeast in your co2 mix consume all the sugar, and you will notice the bubbles coming out of your DIY dealio slowly tapering off. It does not become toxic, the bubbles are still carbon dioxide, there is just less living yeast to produce it because their food supply ran out. When I notice mine tapering, I mix up a new bottle and let it ramp up for a day or two. Then I just switch the caps, and my aquarium doesn't have to go without while the new one "percolates" hehe.
How the co2 works is that the yeast is feeding on the sugar in the water. When you "start" a new C02 can rolling it takes a day or two for the yeast culture to ramp up. You can notice the increase in bubbles over the first couple of days. Over time, the yeast in your co2 mix consume all the sugar, and you will notice the bubbles coming out of your DIY dealio slowly tapering off. It does not become toxic, the bubbles are still carbon dioxide, there is just less living yeast to produce it because their food supply ran out. When I notice mine tapering, I mix up a new bottle and let it ramp up for a day or two. Then I just switch the caps, and my aquarium doesn't have to go without while the new one "percolates" hehe.
Just wanted to say that I am SO glad I found this post.
I'm about to start a major renovation -- swapping out 14w lighting for 96w, adding driftwood, and overhauling the plants and adding more.
With that level of lighting, etc., I figured DIY CO2 was absolutely key -- and this is the most informative writing I've ever found on the topic.
Thanks backdraft, and to all who asked the questions I was thinking about -- this is perfect.
AND -- excellent tank. Just amazing. This is something to which I (for now) can only aspire.
I'm about to start a major renovation -- swapping out 14w lighting for 96w, adding driftwood, and overhauling the plants and adding more.
With that level of lighting, etc., I figured DIY CO2 was absolutely key -- and this is the most informative writing I've ever found on the topic.
Thanks backdraft, and to all who asked the questions I was thinking about -- this is perfect.
AND -- excellent tank. Just amazing. This is something to which I (for now) can only aspire.
*hangs head*
it was. the discus project was a horrible failure.
*sniffle*
it now houses a school of rummy nose, some pearls and amano shrimp/cherry shrimp
i'm currently looking for one "oddball/gooney" creature to put in there. i would love a red claw crab, but i fear he would damage my plants, or simply escape like the billion other times i've had a red claw crab.
it was. the discus project was a horrible failure.
*sniffle*
it now houses a school of rummy nose, some pearls and amano shrimp/cherry shrimp
i'm currently looking for one "oddball/gooney" creature to put in there. i would love a red claw crab, but i fear he would damage my plants, or simply escape like the billion other times i've had a red claw crab.
