DIY CO2 generator for live plants

[plantedlab]

Hi,

I made this .pdf a while back on how to build a Do-It-Yourself Carbon Dioxide Generator with common household items.

Hope you enjoy, it's not very polished but I am open to suggestions for

improvement.co2.pdf

[escamosa]

That's really clever, i believe that the co2 can be a good ph lowering method also. I'm sure i read that somewhere, don't know whether it's true or not though.lol

[mrs fishpatrick]

very good write up, thanks

[Demjor19]

Interesting read!

[Lady Hobbs]

The DIY CO2 is what most of us use here. I don't silcone my airline, tho. I cut the line at a pointed angle, pull it thru the hole with pliers and that's it. It's very tight and air proof. I also just use a punch to make the hole in the cap.

[plantedlab]

Wow, I guess the kiss principal applies here. (Keep It Simple Stupid!)

I have been drilling and tapping threads into my caps! Thanks for the tip.

[Northernguy]

I think its time to make one for my tank.
My plants are browning and the leaves are deteriorating.I have to try something!

[Wild Turkey]

The DIY CO2 is what most of us use here. I don't silcone my airline, tho. I cut the line at a pointed angle, pull it thru the hole with pliers and that's it. It's very tight and air proof. I also just use a punch to make the hole in the cap.

Same, the only tool i use are needle nose plyers, use my lighter to heat up the end cap a little bit (not much) and poke the hole, flip it over and use them to pull the hose through. Done deal

I use a lot less sugar than most, and i am always experimenting with the mixtures for different tanks. It can be a pita to get the ph you want relatively stable and all that mess.

[Northernguy]

Does the CO2 mess with your ph?
How many points up or down?

[Wild Turkey]

Does the CO2 mess with your ph?
How many points up or down?

Yup it makes it drop. Thats why we see a lot of "my ph is rising once in the tank" threads.

Theres a chart to figure out how much it will drop according to KH

pH 6.0 6.2 6.4 6.6 6.8 7.0 7.2 7.4 7.6 7.8 8.0
KHº
0.5 15 9.3 5.9 3.7 2.4 1.5 0.9 0.6 0.4 0.2 0.1
1.0 30 18.6 11.8 7.4 4.7 3 1.9 1.2 0.7 0.47 0.3
1.5 44 28 17.6 11.1 7 4.4 2.8 1.8 1.1 0.7 0.4
2.0 59 37 24 14.8 9.4 5.9 3.7 2.4 1.5 0.9 0.6
2.5 73 46 30 18.5 11.8 7.3 4.6 3 1.9 1.2 0.7
3.0 87 56 35 22 14 8.7 5.6 3.5 2.2 1.4 0.9
3.5 103 65 41 26 16.4 10.3 6.5 4.1 2.6 1.6 1
4.0 118 75 47 30 18.7 11.8 7.5 4.7 3 1.9 1.2
5.0 147 93 59 37 23 14.7 9.3 5.9 3.7 2.3 1.5
6.0 177 112 71 45 28 17.7 11.2 7.1 4.5 2.8 1.8
8.0 240 149 94 59 37 24 14.9 9.4 5.9 3.7 2.3
10 300 186 118 74 47 30 18.6 11.8 7.4 4.7 3
15 440 280 176 111 70 44 28 17.6 11.1 7 4.4
20 590 370 240 148 94 59 37 24 14.8 9.4 5.9

Ah, it took out the spacing, here it is again: http://www.gpodio.com/diy_co2.asp scroll down