MAKING A CHEAP DIY CO2 SYSTEM FOR THE SUBSTRATE EXPERIMENT!

[@MJAquascaping]

Everything I'm using for this experiment (affiliate links) Tank US: bit.ly/3qE968B EU: bit.ly/3S0rJ2J Light US: bit.ly/3dVYmPQ EU: bit.ly/3D7RAB1 AQUARIO NEO SOIL US: bit.ly/3Hopkda EU: bit.ly/3fxvcHp FLUVAL STRATUM US: amzn.to/3fqiKJr EU: amzn.to/3SruUQL WIO WETLAND EONIAN EU: bit.ly/3Ci1uPv 🚨Watch this next!🚨 Inspiration playlist! kzbin.info/aero/PLrlvf56gZy-ipL3105SdfKsUBrMUSttoh CO2 buying guide! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnq5o6Vnrrhmqbc How to SETUP your CO2! kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4Sri2d8Z7V8aNE Simple fertilizer dosing! kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5Cuc4KLgpaFjq8 👉🏻Cool Aquascaping T-shirts: mosscotton.com/ Code: mjaqua10 👉🏻Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my KZbin channel: KZbin.com/mjaquascaping 👉🏻 Use Code ''MJAMSTERDAM'' for 10% off Fzone products

[@norflymedia]

The co2 will enter your tanks through the tubes that have the less amount of resistens. To level this out you need a control valve on each of the 6 tubes. The tube with the highest amount of co2 needs to be closed a bit so the preassure can rise in the next tube, and so on. This is how we balance a heating system in buildings (water) where water does not enter all radiators. Hope this make any sense to you. Love your channel, Greetings from a Norwegian plumber and aquascaper.

[@stevenyap6454]

Yep, Agreed. I've used this pneumatic dividers too, and it produced different output in each diffuser, the solution is put valve at the line where the co2 output is the biggest and close it a little to equalize the resistant of each line

[@Sinserg]

This makes a lot of sense actually!

[@MJAquascaping]

Makes total sense! Thank you!

[@Pumpnineteen]

@@MJAquascaping I recommend tube squeezers and not valves, because unless it's a valve produced for co2, it will leak a lot

[@jakehinch6654]

Agree that you need to add a needle valve to each line to equalize pressures. Also maybe a bubble counter for each line?

[@jackoghost]

you could have added a air valve (those small ones) between the diffuser and bottle, gives you more control over the flowrate

[@maverickstclare3756]

The yeast you are using is called "Instant Yeast" or "Rapid Rise Yeast", it is made for adding to dry ingredients, dissolves quicker and has enzymes to make it produce more CO2 quicker for one rise. It is also more expensive than regular Active Dry Yeast. Brewer's yeast lasts 4-6 days longer (more tolerant to acid from the alcohol) and champagne yeast another 4-5 days but they are more expensive, so it might be worth visiting your local brew shop to see what's on offer.

[@emberframe6994]

You can also get brewers yeast at a pharmacy, it is also used as a medicine.

[@am_fishtanks]

I really enjoyed the experimental and casual nature of this video, I look forward to seeing what comes next.

[@Neo666233]

Suggestion for the experiment, use turned over water bottles that fit inside the tanks, fill them up with water from the tank turn them over and mount them sturdy inside the tank or put some heavy weight on the bottle neck to keep the bottle under the water. The water bottles should be at least 50% to 75% under the water, if possible! -I know the tank compartments are tiny 😅 Then fill each bottle up with a real Co2 bottle by using air tube (or Co2 tube) until almost all the water is out. You also should use water bottles with a big opening and if it weren’t an experiment I would suggest to cut off the bottle necks so the surface is bigger, but if you can’t cut them equally the experiment will fail and its much easier to put weight on a bottle neck. In a week you can see how the bottle fills up with water again, because the Co2 will dissolve into the water, each tank will have different Co2 consumptions, so the Co2 from the bottles will not drain equally fast. I refill my Co2 water bottles up when the about 75% to 80% filled with water again! Hope this helps and keep up the good videos, you are an inspiration! 😊

[@susanagween432]

When I started co2 I found out that a glass bottle and rubber stopper from your hardware store will create enough pressure so you can use glass diffusers and you will avoid any leaks or explosions. I did this for years until I bought the 5lb cylinder system. They lasted until I threw them out. No silicone or glue needed :) you're welcome.

[@TheRealTMar]

I just got my own DIY system running on my 50 l tank. I've found that the Pattex multi use glue works well. At first, I still couldn't get it completely air tight so I also put some more inside of the caps. I also wrapped the cap and airline tubes on the washing bottle in insulating tape to prevent any gas from escaping. Apparently there is a lot of pressure on the washing bottle and once you've got that sorted, it runs like a charm.

[@tanyawylie6750]

Wow! Dedication and effort! Thanks for this!

[@AI3Dorinte]

Been watching your content for a while. This is pure gold man, thank you for all this info and the effort you put in the videos, I know what it takes and you have my respect.

[@jackkoh66sg]

Hi MJ I been using your DIY Co2 matter from sometimes, and previously you can't control the amount that you need in the tank! But I added in two pieces of quick connector adjusting control valve! It was successfully control the exactly amount of Co2 in my 30cm Nano tank...

[@creaturivity]

i think the best way is making a co2 manual system, in each compartment you make an air trapper then each day fill it with a co2 bubble. then let the trapper with co2 sit for a day or two in each compartment. then you can refill the co2 each time with same schedule in each compartment. that way each compartment get the same amount of co2. need to add for a better co2 exchange in the water need a large surface area maybe your trapper with tissue culture lid have a good surface area, just need to add more depth to capture more co2 gas

[@johnVidBozo]

This seems like the simplest system to create. Six small water bottles cut off to create trapper. The bigger the bottles the longer between maintence. Love your testing, BTW!

[@tekeraq]

Agree, keep it simple. Just grab your co2 tank fill it up and your good to go. I learned this from a shop that want to have co2 in all the tanks, I have also seen in some videos in KZbin (don't want to post links just search for passive co2 aquarium). Amazing experiment thanks for all the effort

[@MJAquascaping]

Yeah good one!

[@priyankardas2668]

The 4 way valve idea was great! Amazing content you put in everyday! Couldn't have thought about it at all 😁

[@adedog]

Hi, I’m loving your videos, thanks for creating this content! As a new person to the hobby I’ve found your vids really informative, particularly your beginners guide! Your projects are beautiful and your presentation is top notch… Greeting from the UK 🇬🇧

[@andybiginton5674]

Love your channel. Agree with previous comments, CO2 taking path of least resistance. If it were me, I would just cut the top off 6 drinks bottles and drill a hole in the lid. This will make passive CO2 chambers that should fill up at the same rate, and have exactly the same amount of CO2 in contact with the water. Looking forward to see how this plays out. 👍

[@nimaseyedmortazavi]

Your best experiment so far, keep up with good work

[@stephenevans7884]

Great effort. I'd just rotate the diffusers every couple of days so over the course of the month, each experiment gets equal time with the varying diffusers.

[@zaferboran5343]

Türkçe kullandığın için seni anlayabildim ve abonen oldum .Verdiğin bigiler içinde teşekkür ederim .

[@donl7596]

I bought my first CO2 system 30 years ago. I was working a minimum wage job at my local pet shop. The shop had a 150gal tank near the front entrance with all the high ticket Items, that we never sold. In that 150 gal. tank was the first co2 set up I had ever seen in person. Before I became an x-pet shop employee I used my discount and bought it. It was surreal at the time because I had spent a year in that shop and that was the first time anyone had bought anything from that aquarium. I believe the co2 set-up came from Tetra. Very basic, small co2 cylinder, airline tubing, a valve, and 5 or 6 interlocking plastic cups (amazing what $200 in the 80"s could get you [sarcasm]). Put the tower of cups in the water fill them with co2 every morning. Questionable effectiveness. On to the point, lol. That is my suggestion for your next test. 3 tanks, 1 Co2 as normal, 1 no co2, and 1 the ultimate cheap DYI co2 (two 6oz cups and a co2 cylinder). But the test is not sterile. Meaning: they all start the same but do whatever you can to keep each one as successful as possible. Just live with them for...IDK 90 days? I am Curious what your conclusion would be.

[@donl7596]

Oh yeah, GJ.😊

[@Ghostlulz]

Tks for the effort and give us some unique experiences!

[@williammcdowell6257]

Great content Mark and super experiment adaptation. We will find out if a rich substrate is ever a good idea. Save yourself a lot of bother and make 6 small passive bell jars from small bottles, if you have to, silicone them in place, though I think suckers will hold fine, double sided ones are available, little squarish flat sided mini bottles for single shot booze should work, and fill from one of your cylinders with a bit of tubing, that way you will be able to see if the plants are consuming more CO2 with same lighting, i.e. keep a check and diary record on when you have to fill.

[@jamiesiebold3410]

You could try adding a valve to the line leading to each diffuser to control the flow individually.

[@blabberwulf7650]

should use a check valve. a air valve with 3 to six outlets on it will let you adjust the amount of any individual outlets output. silicon might be better than super glue.

[@winger178]

It is likely that each diffusers has a slightly different resistance for the gas to move through it. I would suggest you just remove the diffusers altogether and let the co2 bubble against the lids directly from the hose

[@geraldoyo1]

You have a great mind MJ!

[@SonnySpinola]

You could try a CO2 bell thing I know fluval had one. Basically you fill a bell in the tank with CO2 and it passively dissolve. Kinda what you did with the lids, but a more controlled and constant way

[@NguyenQuang08]

You could use the same method as Ocean Aquarium do -> They use a plastic bottom (up-size-down) then fill it with CO2 gas -> they float a piece of foam inside so they know how much gas in there -> I think it will be a lot easier to manage as we can easily find six same bottles

[@Ruud18H]

Er zijn plastic kraantjes voor lucht slangetjes. Daarmee kun je de weerstand per diffuser veranderen. Heb ik zelf gebruikt om met 1 luchtpomp 3 spons-filters te maken. Misschien werkt dat ook voor deze setup?

[@AquascapingLiverpool]

Co2 catcher is a great idea lad. Should patent that quick! 😅👊🏼

[@mermaidsdragonsnl2592]

One of my first serious planted tanks had that method, back in 2011. I got the idea from an aquarium forum. They called it: omgekeerde bakje methode. Or translated something like up side down container method, lol. Ps. I said serious planted tanks because the tanks before that also had plants, but this one was supposed to be like an underwater forrest

[@Casper385]

Have you ever tried the Colombo Basic CO2 set? It's quite cheap, super easy to use and set up. Works great in nano aquariums. I use it in a 30L tank and the cannister lasted me about 4-5 months, a refill is 6€ if u go for the brand. Seems a lot easier (and maybe even cheaper) than the DIY setups.

[@emberframe6994]

The addition of CO2 will make it even more interesting, looking forward to the results.

[@rexbrowning4709]

Iv been waiting for you brother

[@aitch_games]

To make the cap air tight make the hole around half size of pipe and cut the end in an angle. Then push the pipe through hole with a plier. You don’t even need super glue after that.

[@carllatham9844]

I use a car tyre valve in the bottle tops these are safe up to 100psi plus so way above what a bottle could system will produce

[@mikab4419]

Is it the same has if you want to use an air pump for multiple tanks? Like the source of air should be in the middle and the air travel between all tanks and the quick connectior should be the same and the bubbler/filter put at the same level? The gaz will take the easier way to escape.

[@rageofyouth569]

Love from India Kolkata..Stuffs are so expensive here...But love watching you BHAI..Its like What If I could do build a setup 1 day.

[@khalilganiber8541]

for how long it stays the co2 ? when you can know it need to be replaced ?

[@NJ_Aquascaping]

Thank you sir for your videos, every time we learn new things, you are awesome, love you lot ❤️...we are learning due to your hardwork, please keep going as always... thanks again for lovely videos...🙏

[@rednasnl4580]

Ipv bio co2 kun je ook in ieder compartiment een klein flesje met gewichtjes doen. Dan blaas je er met je grote co2 fles co2 in. Afgifte is dan altijd even groot in ieder compartiment.

[@johneales9490]

Great job

[@drchemfish]

Hey Mark, since the goal is to deliver exactly the same amount of CO2 to each tank, why not use liquid CO2. That way you can at least ensure equal dosing to each tank. I know pressurized is better but for the sake of this experiment I think it might work.

[@МаксимБарсуков-ш4л]

Where can i see the result of this experiment?

[@cogarg80]

That's now how you use baking soda with superglue, just put the baking soda wherever you want it to be and then pour some superglue over it. That said, this is probably one of the worst applications for superglue+soda - just make a smaller hole, cut the tube diagonally and use some pliers to pull it through the hole - this ususally is airtight and can handle quite a bit of pressure just fine but you can also use a little bit of silicone/hotglue just in case. Personally, I'd just get a glass the size of the tank, drill two small holes, create a silicone gasket on it, put it on the tank, inject co2 in one of the holes, and use the 2nd hole to vent air - having close to 100% co2 over the tank should be pretty effective. Now that i think of it, plastic cling film should be pretty effective as well, just not at all pretty...

[@drz003]

For an outside bond I would have used a UV curing resin like Bondic: much quicker and less fuss.

[@Rwnkl]

Remove the diffusers they will have different resistances. Go with open tubes instead, to give the same resistance ensure all have their exits at exactly the same depth in the tank. You can do this because your diffusing mechanism is now the big bubble under the lid. If that does not work, add small air valves but you risk loss of leaktightness with them...

[@FusslMitZ]

You should do one of those experiments with 6 different walstad-method setups

[@zeroheroes4081]

Your first experiment showed that nr 2 was best for no algae and no 6 was best for plant growth if there's only plants. I'd like a new experiment with only those (and perhaps nr 1 also) to show if that remains true over time in a real aquarium. So the experiment would start off with same plants, filter, nr of fish & cleaners (aka f ex Corydoras). Then as the experiment carries on it would test which aquarium looks most visually pleasing, least algae and least maintenence (water changes & trimming plants etc) over time.

[@Notaprohobbyist]

When did you add baking soda??

[@toms2117]

What type of pond soil did you use?

[@Aaronauful]

just use an airline tap on each Co2 line and adjust flow as necessary to get them even and since you are using the bubble to dissolve the Co2, you don't need the diffusers.

[@roqueriverol4154]

Where did you get those tiny diffusers?

[@MrVili83]

Salut mark, essaye des robinet qu'on utilise pour les pompes a air. Ses une suggestion comme une autre. Sinon tu te débrouille bien niveau bricolage. Je trouve sa cool. Merci a bientôt ^^

[@yifanyin9845]

Next time if you redo the substrate experiment, use black sand instead of white sand for the walstad + root tab tanks. That way all the tanks will have nearly the same colour substrate and less algae which makes it fairer

[@RR-mx4yh]

And maybe finer sand to try to reduce nutrient leaching from the dirt/tabs to the water column?

[@thesoundyouneed4191]

Brother my all plants old leafs are fall.. why and how can i fix it.

[@aquajunction3727]

You can also use aquarium pipe 2 way connector in bottle caps and splitter they are cheap and available in Amazon 🙏🏻 and have same size CO2 tubing because smallest one get more CO2 output...use individual CO2 bottles 🙏🏻 hope it works

[@molin78]

I have seen som using at bottel filled with co2 upside down in the aquarium with weights to keeper it down. That would make it consistent.

[@coapa_760]

Can you stop using co2 after a while ?? Once your olants grow strong?? Or once u have it u can't stop

[@phoef123]

Hi, where did you get these diffusers? :D

[@fredholcombe9981]

So is safe to put fish’s in with that??? Cause I’m about to try this I don’t like the fake plants but never had a green thumb

[@ShahriarFarkhan]

Please just use one CO2 tank with a split regulator :) It's expensive but that's the best way to have consistent CO2 across the tanks and to evaluate the CO2+substrate combination.

[@jorisvd2762]

Why not glue to the insite of the cap? The pressure pushes outwards. when the glue fails the presure dont push your tube out of the bottle...

[@stollie9403]

Hey mark waarom gebruik je niet de regel kraantjes die je ook kan gebruiken bij een luchtpompje dan kan je ze allemaal doseren.

[@MJAquascaping]

Wat ik me kan herinneren waren die kraantjes nooit echt goed luchtdicht, maar misschien waren die gewoon slecht van kwaliteit.

[@stollie9403]

Oke ik heb er laatst 1 bij de hornbach gehaald. Deze lijkt lucht dicht.

[@silversend5115]

You should use a air flow controller/divider and adjust it to be balanced

[@Wrongald]

I believe that the output of each tube is extremely sinsitive to the depth of water thatneeds to be displaced. Just a few tenths mm might be enough to make a difference. The pressure in the system will rise until the CO2 escapes from the highest outlet, but not much more. (I'm no engineer, may be wrong)

[@tombarb2864]

You have more patience than I have. 😊. If each tank gets the same amount of CO2 , won’t the result stay the same for each tank? Each tank will just have the same equal new growth based on what you already have determined from the original substrates? Maybe the CO2 addition will show how the substrates react?? 🤷‍♂️

[@rondroider8904]

Try passive co2 for each tank.

[@Gotyoulookingnyc]

Is there a benefit of the yeast/sugar over citric powder/bakinsoda CO2?

[@MJAquascaping]

No don't think so, but for me its easier to find

[@williammcdowell6257]

I found citric acid and baking soda a pain to set up, lasts no longer than yeast and sugar (don't need the baking soda if water is hard) and yeast and sugar are as Mark said, in the local supermarket at low cost. But, if I had done the experiment I might have tried a pressurised tank, with a pneumatic split device after the reducer and then with simple adjustable clamps on each individual airline tubing - but hindsight is great!

[@fabiansfish]

I have had a lot of issues with those quick connectors. they‘re not airtight from my experience

[@coalbear1]

just but a valve on each air line and adjust. Metal ones are much better to fine tune. I use baking soda and an a acid - vinegar, lemon juice, critic acid ect.

[@user-jh8ll6wo8g]

Hallo MJ, I found a solution for a new ceramic diffuser producing inconsistent and large bubbles instead of a fine mist. After turning the system off overnight, water backed up through the diffuser and up the tube to the check valve. The next day, the CO2 flowed perfectly as a fine mist! I wonder if soaking the diffuser overnight without CO2 running, or drawing water back through it, could help create a consistent fine bubble mist by ensuring it gets fully waterlogged for this or future experiments. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. It might also be interesting to make a video comparing different diffuser materials! Dankjewel 8:25

[@heydudetanks6639]

I'm having the hardest time making a CO2 system that doesn't leak. I appreciate seeing that I'm not the only one that struggles.

[@professorm4171]

You'll have to use a gas gang air valves to distribute the CO2 evenly for each diffuser.

[@deescape9008]

is that a DIY diffuser ?

[@theboabros9724]

Put a pnumatic ball or needle valve on each tube

[@JhunDumsTVXj]

Wow nice idol

[@sampetty4649]

Stick air taps on them all then you control the co2 to each defuser

[@gallardo20000]

You should make a sump system with Co2 injection in the sump and pump the water to equally reach each tank.

[@zegota8750]

But the water of each substrate would mix together

[@gallardo20000]

@@zegota8750 true, however the amount of substrate leach into water is pretty minimal and the sump would eventually create equal water conditions regardless. The only variable remaining unchanged would be the plants root contact to each substrate.

[@thejokercarp1109]

Koop gewoon een colombo co2 basic set of draai een reageerbuis om in je aquarium en bubbel daar c02 in van je gist fles

[@jhoemar092]

How long will the 1 litre DIY CO2 last?

[@MJAquascaping]

The way I made it this time with just sugar i think only 3-4 weeks. Normally I add gelatin, and they will last 7-8 weeks

[@jhoemar092]

@@MJAquascaping wow! Thanks a lot. Gonna try this one. I just started to build aquascaping, as a beginner. ☺️

[@nc_creativithings]

I saw a video on aquarium co-op from Ocean aquarium in SF that uses upside down bottles in their aquariums an fill them up with CO2. maybe worth a try. the videao is called: 100% REAL Natural Aquarium Store [Tour] As their aquariums also have no flow, the CO2 get's absorbed by the water and not lost by bubbles going directly to the surface.

[@MJAquascaping]

Yeah I've seen that one!

[@williammcdowell6257]

Yep passive bell jar work a treat. But obviously it needs to be filled manually regularly.

[@nicholassatrya19]

just use the co2 pressured bottle for the experiment is going to be easier

[@Winterheart00]

I just commented to say Valhar Morgullis. Anyhow thank you!

[@AquascapingLiverpool]

Another idea would be to cut the middle sections lower, so is only the substrate that is separated, bit of a fuckery at this stage but maybe next time 👌🏼

[@MrTotalvictory]

Passive co2 diffusion

[@Lami408]

6 water bottles each to feed a compartment :)

[@yousaf.saleem]

use baking soda + super glue or better using silicone

[@usmc72409]

Where do you order your plants from? After watching tons of your videos, you have inspired me to get into plants. After lots of research I made my first order last night. I am so excited and you are my number 1 go to. Absolutely love this channel! Thanks for inspiring me to expand my fish hobby into a potential work of art. I recollect someone saying Buce plants is a good place but i cant remember whether that was from this channel or elsewhere.

[@pillsnpiegaming]

just use valves to make all resistances equal then all the tanks would get the same co2

[@aurikarusnak8872]

👍👍👍🔥🔥

[@melsATL]

✌️

[@shuanaroden5226]

A hot glue gun might have sealed the bottle lids and around the tubing

[@victornaesensprive4488]

I've used it and all the co2 came trough it. I woudn't advise it

[@prshuffle]

Ive had the issue where the hot glue melts the tubing, also it does not create a good seal. A better option would be latex glue imo.

[@jaderainhans9095]

you also made wine with that process

[@davevanleeuwen5392]

jij hebt een bekende kop man. denk je ergens van te herkennen, love ur content

[@judokazuzu]

🥰🥰🥰👍👍👍

[@Mus.B.E.]

Check out this video for the diy co2 from aquarium co-op. 8mins in, it shows a method very similar to your petri dish method but uses a bottle instead kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJiUpmCOi7KIabM

[@Aedony]

This maybe the solution: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJiUpmCOi7KIabM&ab_channel=AquariumCo-Op Check out the part with the DIY Co2

[@griffxzero]

You could try this guys CO2 method. May work out well in this situation. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJiUpmCOi7KIabM

[@Ishiisan]

why not do the old school upside cup CO2? watch this video at 8min mark kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJiUpmCOi7KIabM