NEW Citric Acid - CO2 System from ARKA: Best for Beginners?!

[@GreenAquaShop]

Very nice an informative one Jurijs 👍In the past these citric systems was easier and the price difference was larger between a pressurized CO2 system and this one. But as better materials comes with more gadget the system is getting more expensive. Still a great option for those who have limited options to fill a CO2 cylinder. My only concern is the regulator part and the fine valve. Compare to a large system this definitely looks weaker, so it is interesting to see how this holds up like 3-5+ yrs or so. But a great system and option for CO2 injection. Hope you're well mate - Viktor :)

[@JurijsJutjajevs]

Hi Viktor, from my review the regulator is build well and the needle valve allows to dial in the bubble rate very precise. I've had conventional regulators that costed more than the entire system and were not as good quality as this one. I talked to guys like MJ and Aquaowner who are using their citric acid systems already for several years and are happy with them. Maybe its time for GreenAqua to give it a try too ;)

[@IndoorEcosystem]

The ARKA kit quality looks amazing but I'm finding soda stream bottles to be the best value for money so far. Super compact too.

[@JurijsJutjajevs]

I agree, another great alternative to classic CO2 bottles

[@KleinerFishAquarium]

13:32 good reflexes 😂 In my situation, refilling a pressurized CO2 system turns out more expensive since I would have to go to the city (about 1.5 hours away from where I live). So, for a couple of years, I've been using citric acid-based CO2, and honestly, I have no complaints so far. I see some people complain that it's tedious to prepare the mixture every time it runs out, but the truth is, it doesn't take more than 10 minutes, or even less. The good thing about this hobby is that there are so many options that fit each situation. Nice vid, Juris. I hope to be able to put it to the test. Thanks for this review.

[@JurijsJutjajevs]

Thanks for your honest feedback!

[@TelTunes]

no one would have explained better! Thanks JJ

[@JurijsJutjajevs]

Glad to help!

[@marcelomaeda9887]

Another quality content video. Nice production when compared to the other channels 🚀

[@JurijsJutjajevs]

Much appreciated!

[@SimplyAquascaping]

Great video my friend! I laughed pretty hard when the chemical reaction caught you off guard

[@JurijsJutjajevs]

It wasn’t too bad, I managed to get all the foam inside the empty jar thank to a quick reaction. But after that you see I’ve been monitoring the reaction closely 😂

[@laszloszocs7477]

love the vid it helped me get the sistem :D

[@miniandy82]

Great video and great review. Your face when trying the reaction was pure brilliance 😅 top man 👍🤜

[@JurijsJutjajevs]

Thank you so much 😁

[@RWAquariumPages]

looks like a nice co2 system for beginners. It's been over 25 years since I used sugar yeast diy co2, been using pressurized since and never looked back. I love how you showed the chemical reaction at the end. I find a little dash of co2, eveb 1 bubble per 5 seconds helps the planted tank quite a bit. great video and can't wait to watch the next one!

[@RichardDowd]

Come on ARKA we need this and more of your stuff available in the uk!

[@EmotioninAqua]

Great video with lots of information and like always many great insights 👍

[@JurijsJutjajevs]

Hey Eike, danke fürs reinschauen! An deine Verkleidung kam ich nicht ran, aber immerhin hatte ich auch eine Schutzbrille am Start 😂

[@EmotioninAqua]

@@JurijsJutjajevs 😎deine top down "tech specs expolisons übersicht" schaut mega aus 🤯bisl arbeit beim betitteln von allem aber sehr coole Idee 😏

[@leeloosworld]

I really like this System, I bought one for myself and until now I had no problem with it. I have the 3,7 l version, with the co2 art in line diffuser, set at 2 bubbles per second, I didn’t have to adjust the needle valve yet. It has been running smoothly for over a month now and the pressure inside is still a bit over half as it was in the beginning. Super happy about it! I had the non refillable co2 bottle before but I can honestly say I am way more happier with this one

[@JurijsJutjajevs]

I'm wondering why some people only get half the pressure. did you swirl the bottle in any way after sealing it, to help mix the ingredients?

[@leeloosworld]

@@JurijsJutjajevs I did exactly like you did in the video, a couple of swirls, and then I let it sit overnight. After 10-12 hours the pressure was exactly where it should be, at about 40 bar. I did have some concerns because I saw some people having problems with the pressure not building up enough, with mine I never had any problems. I‘ll let you know in about a month or so, how it will behave when I refill it. Btw, I love your “beginner” scape at Scapers by Oase 😉

[@JurijsJutjajevs]

@@leeloosworld Top danke. Hatte mich gewundert weil du von halber Markierung gesprochen hast. Aber 40 bar liegt ja auch in der Mitte 😁

[@leeloosworld]

@@JurijsJutjajevs 😁 Genau, ich wollte sagen bei mir lag alles im grünen Bereich…sprichwörtlich 🤣

[@frankvermeulen4621]

Looks like a solid piece of kit. If I didn't already have a system I'd consider this one for sure. Thanks for the review! 👍

[@juanmanueldominguezalcolea2366]

Sinceramente me encanta tu manera de dirigir el vídeo es extremadamente detallado, muchas gracias por compartir tus conocimientos, eres mi modelo a seguir 👍👍👍👌.

[@roten2902]

das ist schon ein tolles produkt...😉👍👍👍

[@michaelrojas7240]

Jurijs, thanks for the review. BTW amazing reflexes!

[@JurijsJutjajevs]

afterwards it was kind of stupid to shake the bottle like I did..

[@Iron-cesc]

For quite a few days I have been trying to decide which two CO2 systems I should buy. One is for a 200l aquarium and another 240l aquarium. So far I am using JBL or Dennerle CO2 systems in my other aquariums, but I use the "Einweg" version, since where I live it is absolutely impossible to find a place to refill the "Mehrweg" bottles. I have seen many videos about Arka's CO2 system, but until now I have never found a video where the explanation and exposition is as clear as in your video. Thanks Jurijs. I always say that for me you are the best, the perception of which is better or not, or the preferences about Aquascape is something very personal, and there is also an emotional part in that I suppose, for me your Scapes are always the best, there is a Great point in your vision of Aquascape, which I don't see in your other colleagues. Na ja... now we can also say that in addition your explanations and product presentation are also a step above the rest. I think I'll try one of those Arka systems. Ich wünsche dir einem sehr schönes 1. Advent. LG Aus Warendorf.

[@JurijsJutjajevs]

Danke für dein ausführliches Feedback. Es fließt immer viel Arbeit in die Planung und Produktion um so mehr freut es mich wenn es entsprechend Anklang findet 😉

[@danielhelms2564]

Fantastic video and the ARKA kit looks really great also. Of course they're currently sold out on Amazon when I went to check on it. I like using the water equivalent in frozen form when I feel my stainless steel CO2 systems up. It prevents the waste of any of the CO2 when setting up the system so you don't have to rush to put the regulator on the tank. The only downsides to using ice is having to buy a few water bottle ice cube trays (4 in my case to fill up my 4L CO2 canister but they're reusable which make them worth the investment) and having to wait several hours for the ice to melt in order for the the chemical reaction to begin, but I feel mine up in the prior evening and it's ready to go by the morning.

[@JurijsJutjajevs]

interesting approach, I'm wondering how much it is saving? do you have any data on how long the refills last?

[@edgru1]

🎉 Hello Jurijs, just heard you are soon in Switzerland in AquaTrend, amazing news, looking forward to. Since I saw this video I directly went for Arka CO2 and have had súper experience so far since last 6months with my aquascape. One question: what alternative to using water for the bubble counter do you suggest? Also proven to not leak into the diffuser or tank. There is all kind of discussions about it, eg that some mineral oil could damage the diffuser, etc. What is your preferred choice? :)) thanks a lot for your help to chose the right solution.

[@Aquagold.goldysingh1313]

Amazing kit. Easy to use

[@nancywaterhouse3135]

Very clear presentation and looks like a great system. CO 2 reluctant me would try it but alas, not available in the US at this time :( Watch out that giraffe doesn't eat your tree!

[@JurijsJutjajevs]

there are similar systems available in the US, just look for "citric-acid based CO2"

[@phantomnorth9701]

Hey, I have the Fluval Bio CO2 system and I hate it! When I started, I couldn't get the training process right because the instructions were wrong. There are some steps that must be taken that are not mentioned. When I finally managed to make the mixture, it lasted 3 days with pressure, in the following days the bubbles came out with effort. It appears that the system does not have enough pressure to overcome the friction from the diffuser. I'm thinking about getting this CO2 from ARKA, do you think it's a good buy? Can I get constant Co2 for 1 month or 2 months? It is for a 45P or 60P aquarium. I prioritize a BIO system over a pressurized one, because I don't have a store nearby to refill the cylinder. But I also don't want to throw money in the trash again like I did with the fluval kit.

[@nizr6864]

i have WYIN, the chinese version its pretty much the same as ARKA, and it is by far the best purchase for my aquascape hobby. 10 minutes refill last me 2,5 month on my 60cm aquarium (green drop checker). all plants thriving 0 algae, id say my tank even lusher than juri's lol, just to assure you this thing works.. i have 3 of this system = 5 litre one for my 60cm aquarium last me 2,5 month. 2 litre one for my 40cm aquarium last me 1,5 month. the other one i dont use... and i experience absolutely 0 issue with any of them. btw use cold water if you dont want to make a mess

[@toliscy]

Can I just buy the refill ingredients locally or do I need to order from Arka?

[@JurijsJutjajevs]

I think the content of „cartridges“ is standardized, so theoretically it should be possible

[@fenixangelzamo]

We need an update, how long it last 1 charge?

[@DRaquascapes]

I use MCT oil in my bubble counters... no issues.

[@seejus6131]

What tank size you have added this CO2 generator like how many liters it is….also with how many BPS

[@JurijsJutjajevs]

Currently running on my UNS 60U at 1-2 bps

[@seejus6131]

⁠​⁠@@JurijsJutjajevsplease update how long it last for a 60U

[@JurijsJutjajevs]

According to ARKA and other independent reviews up to 100 days

[@biofreshwater]

Does it work in an online CO2 diffuser? Tks

[@JurijsJutjajevs]

Yes, it’s basically like a regular pressurized system, just the refill is different

[@DesignRobPearce]

Do ARKA offer insight in to how long the reaction lasts? I guess it bursts for say 5 days and pressurises the container and stops until it runs out?

[@JurijsJutjajevs]

I talked to a chemistry teacher, the reaction stops as soon as there is approximately 40bar pressure in the bottle. As soon as you extract some CO2 for your aquarium, the reaction continues until the pressure stops the reaction again. The process repeats every day until 2-3 months later when all components have reacted and the pressure is no longer restored and starts sinking. In other words, as long as you have 40bar, the reaction is on pause and continues a little day by day. As soon as pressure starts to go down, the reaction is over.

[@DesignRobPearce]

@@JurijsJutjajevs that’s really interesting thanks Jurijs. I wonder why 40bar stops the reaction. If these are tested a bit more I may give them a go, for now I’ll stick to what I know with extinguishers :)

[@marlonallansupetran7120]

@@JurijsJutjajevs ah the pressure prevents the reaction, interesting.

[@JurijsJutjajevs]

They have been tested by others before, and MJ is running his system now already for 2 years +

[@marlonallansupetran7120]

I am also thinking of getting this kind of co2 generator system. I don't mind mixing citric acid and baking soda even every month, but what I am worried about is consistency of the bubble rate. I don't want to adjust the needle valve every other day. Is the bubble rate consistent for 100 days? Thanks!

[@JurijsJutjajevs]

Yes its consistent!

[@DesignRobPearce]

This is my concern too. Consistent, but for how long before it dips or starts fluctuating as the reaction goes on.

[@JurijsJutjajevs]

the bubbles rate remains consistent for the majority of the time. Only when the pressure starts sinking and goes below certain threshold the bubble rate can change. Same happens with any kind of pressurized system. So once the ARKA system has build up initial pressure, it works basically like conventional pressurised system.

[@bartosztomasz]

I love it how producers call baking soda and citric acid "material a" and "material b" to capitalize on replacement parts 😂 God forbid we find out what these materials are and buy them in bulk for the tenth of the price 😂

[@JurijsJutjajevs]

the correct names are pinted on the bags. A and B is only to make it easier to follow the instructions

[@bartosztomasz]

@@JurijsJutjajevs I appreciate their honesty then and I’m happy to hear that. For a moment I thought we’re dealing with something similar to printer cartridges xd

[@JurijsJutjajevs]

nah, not with this company. They recently lowered their prices against the market trend where everything is getting more expensive! And they support the community a lot, small and big

[@greenmacaroons5673]

El problema de ese equipo es si los materiales del manor reductor, electro válvula, filtro y ajuste fino no son de calidad la corrosión del cítrico hará su trabajo con el tiempo. Para acuarios de más de 100l empieza a no rentar por su durabilidad y algo que yo incorporaría sería un manor reductor para controlar la presión de salida estable.

[@stuartmarks5643]

I use food grade mineral oil in my bubble counter. I fill it 2/3 full.

[@gsanchezlifestyle]

TBH do not waste your money on the DIY CO2!! get the 5lb tank!! these DIY CO2 cost more than the real thing!!

[@christianklasen640]

Are u seriously not smart enough to fill the bubble counter under the tap and connect it after? And see using tank water to fill up the bubble counter is some kind of cring😂