newbie here:) Need help with Nutrafin CO2 Natural Plant System

[ks_tetra]

Hello all I am new and excited to be here-been an aquarium hobbyist for about 10 years and really getting 'into' my new planted aquarium for aquascaping.

I am having issues understanding the directions for my Nutrafin Natural plant CO2 system-as this is the first time I have attempted using CO2. First, it says add table sugar to the first level. How much sugar??? and then it says add stabilizer and activator packets with warm water to the cannister...Do I just add them all in together? Please help-if I cant figure this out I dont think I am ready for one of those expensive CO2 systems I really find complicated

This is for a 20 gallon aquarium with a fluval 204 cannister filter and some plants...no fish yet FYI. Thanks and any advice would be useful!!!!

 

[phanmc]

If you look inside the reaction chamber you'll see 4 verticle markers, one long one and 3 shorter ones. The short ones indicate the fill line for sugar and the long one is the line for water. Simply fill the sugar up to the three lines and then throw in the rest of the ingredients, then fill with warm water up to the tall line. Screw the cap on tight and connect the tubing to the ladder.

In the future, you can replace the stabilizer and activator packs with a tablespoon of baking soda and 1/4 tsp of regular yeast.

 

[misopeenut]

f I cant figure this out I dont think I am ready for one of those expensive CO2 systems I really find complicated

if you are talking aobut those co2 cylinder tanks, theyre not that complicated.
just have to make sure everything fits. i think pressurized co2 is more easier than yeast co2, save time making the solution.
once you set it, youre good till the gas runs out.

 

[twig]

Theres a little plastic 'tab' that juts out ... fill the sugar to that level then fill the water to the second little tab ...

Mine is very easy to use and it lasts consistantly for a month.

 

[vic21]

Co2

If you look inside the reaction chamber you'll see 4 verticle markers, one long one and 3 shorter ones. The short ones indicate the fill line for sugar and the long one is the line for water. Simply fill the sugar up to the three lines and then throw in the rest of the ingredients, then fill with warm water up to the tall line. Screw the cap on tight and connect the tubing to the ladder.

In the future, you can replace the stabilizer and activator packs with a tablespoon of baking soda and 1/4 tsp of regular yeast.

I would suggest that you use brewers yeast or a canibal yeast from a wine making shop. These yeasts are much hardier than baking yeasts and as a result thay have a longer lifespan in the alcohol environment that is produced in a DIY CO2 reactor.
Cheers;

 

[Sigundo]

Although I can't help with this, I have ordered a couple of these for my aquarium, and I have a question myself. (the systems don't arrive until Saturday, most likely Monday though since FedEx probably doesn't deliver in the sticks on the weekend, but we'll see). The systems dont seem to come with any one way valves, so has anybody ever had a problem with yeast going into the tanks or water siphoning back into the containers? (or do the tops of the containers stay above the waterline of the aquariums which makes me even more concerned about yeast(froth) getting into the tank.

 

[phanmc]

The system comes with a hanger clip that keeps the top of the CO2 tank just above the water surface. I've never had any problems with water syphoning back into the CO2 tank.

 

[Star_Rider]

I had an issue (my fault) . I accidentally had a bit too much yeast water mix..it pushed the yeast mix into my 75 ..I did a huge water change(even tho the problem may not have casue any issues short of clouding the water..I didn't want to take chances with my discus. I believe that there are inline check valves that may help if you are worried about backflow.
I don't use their activator stuff..i use brewers yeast or wine yeast. as mentioned these yeast are more able to handle alchol environments(which is what we make when we do this).
you also will find that the CO2 production is better. (cost is a bit more)

adding baking soda acts like a buffer to help the yeast live longer .