How to Design a CO2 Unit for Freshwater Tropical Plants
Use C02 in planted aquariums to ensure healthy plant growth. Assemble an inexpensive do-it-yourself unit from common household items. Create a good seal around the tubing to prevent the C02 from escaping. Too much or too little of any ingredient affects how quickly the C02 dispenser burns out. Use a container made to handle pressurized liquids. A 2-liter soda pop bottle works well for this. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Yeast
- Sugar
- 2-liter pop bottle
- Aquarium tubing
- C02 diffuser
- Check valve
- Aquarium sealant
Instructions
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1
Add two cups of sugar to the 2-liter bottle.
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2
Fill the bottle halfway with warm water.
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3
Add one-quarter to one-half teaspoon of yeast to the sugar mixture.
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4
Mix the sugar, water and yeast thoroughly.
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5
Drill a hole in the center of the soda bottle's cap. The hole needs to be small enough to fit the tubing through, snugly.
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6
Run the aquarium tubing through the bottle cap. The tubing should rest at least 1 inch above the water line when the cap is screwed onto the bottle.
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7
Cut the tubing that goes into the bottle at an angle. This helps stray liquid to drip off the end instead of traveling up the tubing to the check valve.
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8
Cut the tubing between where the tank and bottle cap meets.
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9
Install the check valve by inserting its nipples into the tubing. Make certain the phlange is facing the correct way to prevent C02 liquid from entering the tank.
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10
Attach the end of the tubing to the C02 diffuser. Be careful, as the stem of glass C02 diffusers are delicate and easy to break.
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11
Install the C02 diffuser in your aquarium. It should have suction cups for this purpose.
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Tips & Warnings
It can take an hour or more to see the first C02 bubbles. The time depends on factors such as temperature and mix.
Use only bottles meant for pressurized fluids. Containers not suitable for pressure may explode.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
