Fluval Bio CO2 250L Unboxing and Setup

For more info on the the Fluval Bio-CO2 system visit fluvial web page or your friendly local fish store.
#co2 #aquascaping #yeast

[@XCaliKev]

👍🤠 Cool shirt Sean I miss seeing Rachel around.

[@Multiderek2012]

If using DIY run the end of the CO2 hose through a powerhead placed near the bottom of the tank. This will create fine bubbles rising in the water column. Put the powerhead on a timer, set it to be running when aquarium lights are on . When the powerhead is off CO2 will enter the aquarium but will be one large bubble that quickly exits the tank.

[@markfranklin8831]

Cool video

[@SonnyG1]

This is interesting Mr Peck. I was wondering about this product thanks for sharing!

[@pecktec]

Any time!

[@COOPERSCICHILDS]

Awesome review

[@chosen2030]

Would love to see a comparison to the readily available system by ZRDR.

[@thomasfarrow7053]

The Fluval speaker sounds like John Houseman! Looking forward to your next experiment with PH in the deep dive!

[@pecktec]

I just went to one of those AI pages and put in the words. I had it read it since I didn’t feel like doing it myself.

[@heaven7360]

I'm having a flashback to "The Paper Chase"..

[@daniellejudd3359]

I’m curious about this. In Australia there’s been a company called bioscape who does a cylinder with 200g citric acid, 200g baking soda plus water. I have one on a little aquarium, and a high pressure on a larger one. It’s done well, I’m very pleased, been going for at least a year 1/2. Maintenance is simple. I’m so curious what this ‘booster’ on the Fluval kit is. I have to know the specific contents and quantities. They’re not available yet as you mentioned.

[@matthewsmith22]

I've not watched all the way through yet but has me thinking if the yeast method or more environmentally friendly then the citric acid method 🤔 Good to see you with fluval, I remember when I first started watching you I thought you were a fluval rep, you really showcased those fluval kits well!

[@pecktec]

Could be, Not sure on that one.

[@rgilroy1909]

gelatin is added to the sugar water and left to cool and solidify. Then adding water activated with yeast. This keeps the yeast from eating all the sugar too fast and extends the life of the reaction.

[@pecktec]

Yeah, I remembered there were some ingredients that kept the reaction from activated so fast. Thanks a lot I’ll look that up.

[@kazhauer546]

Did the same thing with 2 liter bottles, super cheap(water, sugar, yeast). Plus you can drink the finished product if you keep everything nice and clean.

[@pecktec]

drink it? What's it taste like?

[@kazhauer546]

That guy is super chill and really informative. I like em alot

[@donpettit7107]

Would recommend distilled water…tap water only if you know it is fairly pure have let it sit for a while. Any bacteria (as in from tank water) introduced can yield some off spec craziness. Used an older model at our office and the tap in a high rise had some nasty stuff in it…somehow brewing a nice dose of H2S along with the CO2.

[@pecktec]

Oh wow ok thanks for the heads up.

[@thomasfarrow7053]

I would like to hear from your DIY systems' experiences - if the continuous flow will cause algae blooms. .

[@pecktec]

Having too much CO2 is more concerned about fish getting enough oxygen in the tank more so than algae. so far it has been ok, but it’s only been a week. We’ll see how it goes.

[@SequoiaElisabeth]

The other day I cleaned the canister filter and also adjusted the CO2, got the co2 too high and the canister flow too low. When I got up the next morning, the fish where gasping at the top and the shrimp were on the glass above the water level. I added an air stone and fixed the filter flow. I also cut off the co2 and did not turn it back on till the next day. I only lost 2 fish, but still a big mistake.

[@michaelmathes1991]

Do a large water change that should fix the problem. I forgot to turn off my co2 and the fish were gasping for air. Did the water change and did not lose a single fish.

[@dylanthompson3655]

Great video! I’ve been using the smaller Fluval bio CO2 system for about a month and a half now. I’ve not had any issues running it 24 seven but what I’m running into now is the ceramic disc seems to be clogged up despite being cleaned multiple times with a toothbrush and appearing clean to the naked eye. Pressure just builds up and doesn’t pass through. I reached out to the company this morning and I’m awaiting a response. Have you run into similar issues?

[@himikhail]

Ive heard trying to mechanically clean ceramic (like with a toothbrush) can clog up the pores. I believe soaking in a bleach solution and avoiding touching the ceramic altogether is the best option. Hope that helps!

[@dylanthompson3655]

@@himikhail Thanks for the tip. Fluval Support responded and said that a brush and vinegar should do the trick, but I tried that to no avail. They are sending me a replacement disc, but it is backordered.

[@pecktec]

Yeah after using it a bit I'm not a fan of the one it came with. Its still working kind of but its getting replaced.

[@dylanthompson3655]

@@pecktecAfter about a month, Fluval sent me a new diffuser kit with a slightly different design than the one included in the original kit. So far, seems to work much better than the original (requiring less pressure for the CO2 to pass through the disc).

[@Les-OZZYTHEOSCAR]

I've seen these in the store already and they are extremely expensive. That said, I do like the look of it but I'm not sure I could pay the price they are asking for it.

[@SequoiaElisabeth]

Thanks for sharing this with us. It doesn't seem to make sense to me. I prefer the co2 regulator with solenoid and tank which can be refilled. I have a 20lbs tank on my 86g and it has run for 2yrs so far. It could last 3 yrs., LOL.

[@pecktec]

Fair enough!

[@thomasfarrow7053]

Could you suggest a home brew to use in place of the consumables perhaps at some future date [not to offend Fluval] ?

[@feckneddy]

I was just about to say the same 🍷

[@pecktec]

I will eventually I want to show how they intended to use it first and then see how that works.

[@heaven7360]

adding gelatin I think....

[@joefav76]

“Fish Pimp” 😂

[@jeffschwartz3520]

You add gelatin like in Jell-O to slow reaction which makes it last longer. Man where is Rachel O'Leary I miss her, the OG fish pimp

[@matthewsmith22]

I am probably wrong here but I think Sean was talking about using baking soda in the yeast mix. It's been a few years since I saw anyone do this. I think it's supposed to act as a buffer so the co2 produced doesn't crash the pH and prematurely kill the yeast (before the alcohol gets chance to anyways). Never tried it and not seen anything online about it in a long time so could be a load of rubbish

[@jeffschwartz3520]

@matthewsmith22 you're probably riight

[@pecktec]

I can't remember exactly what I added or if Im conflating two things. A few people mentioned the gelatin so Ill look that up.

[@robertjohnston25]

I was hooked till I saw the price lol. Oh well.

[@Atlas92936]

I got one and waited 24 hours. There was no bubbles..

[@Atlas92936]

Update: Okay so 36 hours later, there are bubbles but it’s like 1 bubble every 5 minutes no matter how much I turn the check valve. Idk if the valve is bad, maybe there’s a gas lack where it connects to the lid, or the reaction has barely happened maybe the activator and or booster is bad. SMH cmon fluval did you even test the production line?

[@pecktec]

So mine has been going for a little over a week. I get a bubble every 7-8 seconds (like I show during the reading part) its very very slight. I think next go Im gong increases the yeast. But yeah I have it all the way open too.

[@Atlas92936]

Update: I let it sit for 2 more days and WOW! when I moved the valve, there were so many bubbles coming out super fast. Fluval says to wait 24 hours after setup, but honestly it should 3-4 days. I’m sure I’m all good now! This is my first time using co2 so I appreciate the DIY style in a fancy form factor and container

[@LushSaltyAquariums]

My opinion is putting CO2 in at night is not advisable, regardless of what Fluval says. Among other things, it's a waste of Co2.

[@mgk2020]

What are the other things?

[@LushSaltyAquariums]

The regulator malfunctions (even slightly) emitting excessive bubbles into the tank. Even at normal amounts, the plants are no longer using CO2 and the tank will increase levels perhaps gassing inhabitants. Without a true shut off the regulator is bound to lose it's setting, esp a cheaper one like on these kits I'm surprised Fluval claims 24/7 Co2 is safe. Not surprised they want it to run out twice as fast as this means customers by more ingredients (which is another discussion :).@@mgk2020

[@thomasfarrow7053]

I would also be concerned about an explosion of algae in the tank.

[@pecktec]

I’ve only had it going for a week or so but it really doesn’t produce a lot of bubbles even overnight. It doesn’t seem to saturate the 20 gallon I’ve got it on. it wouldn’t waste too so much is little build up a lot in the water column over night. Even with the valve all the way open the bubble come out slow. So in theory will be eaten up when the lights come on. The concern is that will get too intense during the night and cause problems but that has a bit of issue at all. It just comes out so slow. I think it’s something to do with the amount that’s in there. Like I said, I’ll do a deep dive on it soon.

[@LushSaltyAquariums]

@@pecktec interesting points. Perhaps the homemade CO2 creates inherently modest pressure so it can’t dump overnight…

[@carlgrimes2512]

I just close mine at night. Ive jad much better luck than you it would seem.

[@nate6390]

You are supposed to add gelatin...baking soda and citrus acid....I never adf gelatin works just fine....in my eyes anything fluval is overpriced....a Chinese co2 generator off Amazon does the same for half the price

[@twunderaquatics1770]

To be honest if I had to add every month I would quit using. I have two tanks on Co2 and the 5lb tanks last over two years.