Sicce CO2 Life 2 CO2 Injection System

[jeremygaylord]

Has anyone had any experience with this product?

I have never used CO2 to help with plant growth and am looking for a simple approach, at least to get started. Wondering if this might be a good way to go.

If not, appreciate any pointers to an "idiot-proof" starter guide!

Thanks
Jeremy

 

[dbosman]

I find it interesting that on the first six pages of a Google search, none of them are reviews. A couple ask for reviews, but 50+ are sales offers. One is a YouTube video promoting it.

I'll offer my guess about how it works.
Since electrolysis was mentioned in one product listing, I think they are splitting water into Hydrogen and Oxygen and passing the Oxygen past the carbon block. Since Oxygen is an oxidizer, some of it attaches to carbon atoms and forms gaseous CO2. The hydrogen vents into the water where it rises to the top and dissipates in the air.

If you shop well enough, and get lucky on your cylinder, you could get a pressurized CO2 setup for about the same money and cylinder refills cost about the same as carbon blocks. Which by the way are very expensive carbon blocks.

 

[dbosman]

Now, as for idiot proof, bear in mind we don't know how ... never mind.
While you can put together a less expensive rig with careful shopping, I believe it's too confusing the first time. A kit makes life simpler.

I recommend an Aquatek regulator kit. It includes a bubble counter with check valve. It's simple, easy, and complete. The pressure is preset so all you have to adjust is the needle valve for your bubble per second or minute. By the way, never tighten a needle valve all the way down. The needle part of the name is accurate and the tip is easily damaged.

http://www.amazon.com/AQUATEK-Regul...LM7G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326242908&sr=8-1
which runs $80.00 currently. The only regret I have with mine is that I didn't get the six outlet version for $30.00 more.
http://www.amazon.com/AQUATEK-Regul...YYTS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1326242908&sr=8-3

The kit is made for standard CO2 cylinders, but they offer a paint ball tank adapter for $16.99 which makes life easier for some folks.
http://www.amazon.com/AQUATEK-CO2-P...9QDC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1326242908&sr=8-2

While that is all one really needs, a diffuser of some sort to make the CO2 bubble smaller will provide better dispersal in the tank. That diffuser could be a simple as a 1" chunk of bamboo chopstick stuck in the end of a piece of air line, connected to the bubble counter.

If you decide to go with a standard CO2 cylinder, the most complicated decision is to swap tanks or get your tank refilled.
Fortunately that will probably be decided for you by the nearest supplier.
Fire Extinguisher places refill. AirGas and Purity usually only swap tanks. They take your empty tank, charge you for the gas and give you a fresh tank.

There are about 659,476 variations on the above.

 

[jeremygaylord]

Thanks much!