DIY CO2 in a large Tank?

[mindtonic]

The general consensus on the internet seems to be that DIY CO2 is ineffective in a large tank. Why is this so? If one bottle isn't producung enough, why couldn't you just add a second............a third?

I currently have a 90 gallon "low light" tank that was planted a couple of weeks ago. Flourish excell, which I'm using temporarily, is not a cost effective long term solution, and pressurized CO2 might be an option down the road........once my checking account recooperates a little.

Has anyone had any positive experiences with DIY CO2 in a larger tank? Any suggestions or pointers for this new aquatic plant keeper?

 

[phanmc]

You can hook up multiple DIY tanks for a larger aquarium, its just more inconvenient with DIY setups. The CO2 generation isn't consistant and as reliable either, compared to pressurized CO2. This is true for small tanks as well but when you have a small tank, its hard to justify spending $200+ for a pressurized CO2 system. But when you've already spent $700+ for a large aquarium, its hard to justify not going all the way

 

[flyfly]

I think it would be possible, just a giant pain in the ***. I run two bottles on my 55, and it is pretty lame. I cant imagine doing enough bottles for a 90g

 

[buddha_red]

my 55 gallon was using 2 dyi but i just didnt see the point in that experiment. so now i just grow plants that light bright light (4 watts per gallon) I dont go for the very pretty but fragile plants.

my plants grow fine without co2. i would love to go pressurized but i only paid 200 for stand,two lame light canopys and the 55g.

So i am waiting for my next bigger tank then i will go c02 presserized.

 

[Mykayel]

just curious for those that do use pressurized CO2, how long does a bottle last you?

 

[mindtonic]

My ultimate goal is to go with pressurized CO2. Pain in the A** or not, I'm going to have to settle for DIY for now. I'm trying to model my tank after last years AGA blue ribbon winner........found here. Apparently he was able to pull his tank off with DIY, so I was just curious if there was any "trick" to doing it in a larger tank.

 

[ashdavid]

just curious for those that do use pressurized CO2, how long does a bottle last you?

I have a 20 lb bottle and it lasts me about two to three weeks, so if you were going to go diy you would need a lot of bottles to make it effective.

 

[phanmc]

I have a 20 lb bottle and it lasts me about two to three weeks, so if you were going to go diy you would need a lot of bottles to make it effective.

I think he's asking how long a pressurized CO2 tank will last, which depends on the size of the tank. If you go with a 5 lb tank it should last for at least half a year, much longer if you have a PH controller.

 

[Blinky]

I aim to go pressurized eventually, but for now I use DIY on my 65g with good results. I find the key to keeping the levels as consistant as possible is changing the mix every week - I mix up new bottles, let them sit overnight, and then switch them over at the same time I do my water change each week.
It takes six 2L bottles to keep the CO2 around 35ppm, and I'm certain if I added up all the sugar and yeast over a year pressurized is cheaper, but it'll have to wait - I just spend all our 'extra' cash setting up a nano reef .

 

[phanmc]

My ultimate goal is to go with pressurized CO2. Pain in the A** or not, I'm going to have to settle for DIY for now. I'm trying to model my tank after last years AGA blue ribbon winner........found here. Apparently he was able to pull his tank off with DIY, so I was just curious if there was any "trick" to doing it in a larger tank.

The trick is to use undemanding plants. The majority of the plants used in that tank are slow growing plants that do well in medium low lighting. At lower light levels, CO2 injection isn't critical.

Want a really easy to maintain tank? Stick with alot of anubias, java fern & moss, and crypts. You can do a nice planted tank with 1-1.5wpg and little to no CO2 injection.