Where to find a cheap CO2 set up?

[rolltide#1]

I have been struggling with my plants forever now and have decided to seek out a CO2 set up. Anybody know of a good source that is not going to clean out the bank? I have looked on aquabid at some defusers but dont know what kind of quality Im looking at. Trying to save every dime I can and peice this thing together. Anything is appreciated. Im also going to change substrate and add a little more lighting. Want to get it all together before the dredded tear down.

[k20z3]

For the tank, regulator, tubing look online at the home brew websites. It's much cheaper. If your looking for glassware for the diffusers, check out ebay or even the fish store in the Garden Ridge mall in Plano. They have the glassware that is knock-offs made in Taiwan vs Japan (much cheaper and about the same).

[alta678]

Try Niko's idea of a small inexpensive powerhead as a diffuser. He uses one and it works extremely well.

[xtc]

a small can of CO2 and a bell can be purchased at "the fish store in the Garden Ridge Mall"* for under $20 to see if that's the route you wanna go.

All you do is put the bell in the tank and fill it up (via air hose and can of CO2) first thing every morning. Works like a charm...

*=:flipa:

[rolltide#1]

Niko's powerhead setup is with a small gravel syphon turned into a difuser right? If thats it, sounds good on paper but I can just see the output hose coming off and filling my house with water or something bad. Too much going on. Thanks for all the ideas. I will check them out and maybe put together something we can use and save a little money. I am trying to get an email to go through to the aquatic plant club meeting but I use yahoo email and for some reason it wont go through. Would love to go and see what they are doing and maybe hear a few confidence building success stories. Thanks again.

[niko]

CO2 bottle:
Get a 10 lb. bottle if you can. Here's why:

5 lb bottle is around $70. Gas refill - about $12.
10 lb bottle is around $90. Gas refill - about $17.

Dual gauge regulator - about $40:
http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/regulators/co2-premium.shtml

Needle valve - about $20:
http://www.aquacave.com/searchresult.aspx?CategoryID=432

Solenoid:
No need for solenoid. Run the CO2 24/7.

Connecting Needle Valve to Regulator:
Will need to use pieces of clear vinyl tubing, Super Glue, and zip ties to connect Needle Valve to Regulator. Plug Needle valve in 1" of clear tubing. Glue with Super Glue. Tie with zip tie. Plug other end in Regulator. Glue and ziptie. Done.

Check valve:
From any local pet store. Goes on the tubing between the Needle valve and diffuser.

Tubing:
No need for special tubing.

Difusing the CO2:
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/diy-aquarium-projects/44053-tiny-super-efficient-co2-reactor-19.html

YouTube - Hagen Mini Elite Co2 diffuser - 3

--Nikolay

niko added 3 Minutes and 5 Seconds later...

Rolltide,

PM me for the Aquatic Plant Club meeting this month. It's on the 18-th, Sudnay, at 1 PM.

In Joshua, TX. Make sure you know how close/far Joshua is.

Prepare to have a great time - many planted aquariums, 60+ species of plants, great people, lots of food. Free Seachem fertilizers. Free plants. More.

--Nikolay

[alta678]

Nikolay, thanks for the great post. Lots of good information here! :exactly:

[T-Angel]

Do you use aquarium salt ?

[rolltide#1]

No aquarium salts. Thanks Niko, good info. I was able to keep it all local. Foremans General Store in Colleyville has 5lb tanks and regulators. I bought a tank from them but went through a company called "beergas" to get my regulator and tank filled. Very reasonable.

I got all kinds of weird looks when I was trying to locate this stuff. People were asking what it was for as if it was for something bad.....or illegal :eek:.

I added a bag of Eco-Complete layered on the bottom of the tank with old gravel on top. Changed out a 28w bulb for a T5HO 54w. That makes two 54w and two 18w. Thats about 2.5+ watts per gallon. Adequate for low to moderate light plants...I hope.

Have been running CO2 for two days now, turning it off at night and aerating. The ph has gone way down but the fish have shown no stress. It was at about 7.4 before, now 6.0 or less. I turned off the co2 when I tested the water fearing fish death. Will continue to monitor the ph. So far so good.

Is there anything I am missing?

[masroberts9]

i bought my bottle here. had great prices.
http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/tanks/co2.shtml

[drag13honda]

How long would you guess a 10lb bottle would last on an average 55 gallon tank? I'm sure there are many factors that determine how long, i'm just looking for a really rough estimate :p:

[masroberts9]

on my 55 i was going through 10 lbs every couple months.

[drag13honda]

That's about what i was hoping for. Less than $20 in upkeep every month or so sounds really nice. I'm pretty much convinced at this point :cool:

[AndrewH]

i bought my bottle here. had great prices.
http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/tanks/co2.shtml

Dang, those prices aren't that bad for new bottles. Shipping was only $13. Nice option if that's all you got.