Top 10 Aquarium CO2 MISTAKES MADE!

[@BRSfresh]

➡ CO2 Injection - brs.li/CO2 ➡ Live Plants - brs.li/Live_Plants ➡ Lighting - brs.li/Lighting ➡ Rock & Wood - brs.li/Rock_Wood

[@MegGreeneSmith]

Loved the glycerin tip - I knew people used something other than water, but didn't know what it was until now. Thanks!

[@briankito1655]

I think using glycerin is my last mistake to fix. I knew I'd heard someone mention something besides water in the bubble counter before, but couldn't find it. Glad it was mentioned here!

[@lundiboy8]

Been following this man and the team over at Green Aqua for so many years when it comes to freshwater.

[@garage-guy207]

In process of re-establishing a much larger planted setup. Had never used CO2 before in my smaller tanks which may have housed 1 or 2 plants. I find your videos very informative, clear, concise with little or no BS filler. Initially thought about trying the homemade 2-bottle set up but it’s short term and messy. Setting up a 60gal and considering using the tank and gauge-based format shown in this video (of course dependent on setup and continued costing). My concern is on sourcing replacement CO2 (refillable vs non-refillable) bottles and $$$$. New subscriber. 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@BRSfresh]

Welcome to the channel! I'm running a 5g tank on 75g and haven't replaced it in about 4months so far - Got it filled for around $15 I believe...maybe a bit less. Hope your build goes well!

[@gavin7158]

I have learned a ton from your videos! Thank you, have a blessed day!

[@Steve-qn8gn]

What about inline diffusers? Glycerin was a good tip, I’ll try that one.

[@reefhugger100]

I'm just setting up my first CO2 system. This helps very much. Thank you.

[@BRSfresh]

That’s awesome 👏. What plants are you growing?

[@HeidiFeist]

Your videos are always such a help. Could you clarify how much bleach and how much water to use for cleaning the CO2 disc? Thanks!

[@BRSfresh]

Just 1 part bleach to 4 parts water should take care of it - remember to keep your diffuser running!

[@jandomingo9806]

I have a bubble counter with water but.... it has a special hole where u refill it with a syringe. So no need to unplug anything. Its made by aquapros. Really handy.

[@norbertthoens3561]

Gute, nützliche Tipps zum Thema CO2! 😉

[@camero1974jb]

Thanks so much. I just bought my first co2 regulator from co2art. I cannot get the diffuser to bubble. Now I believe I have water in the line. I'm going to open the regulator and let it flow and see if it starts to bubble.

[@BRSfresh]

Diffusers can take a bit to show bubbles. Sometimes bigger ones first then smaller ones. You can crank up the flow temporarily to push it through and get it going faster then back the flow down.

[@XOR-Ale]

Ty for your videos...helped me alot ❤

[@BRSfresh]

Great to hear!

[@Steve-qn8gn]

While a drop checker is better than bbs, it’s not actually that accurate.

[@johnludlum4213]

You mention using RO water in one of your tanks. Are you remineralizing with the addition of ferts or is are you also doing something else?

[@BRSfresh]

👋 Yes, remineralizer and a GH booster

[@keithhoofard5844]

Was just cursing my bubble counter being out of water again, not 20 minutes before watching. Glycerin will be here tonight. Thanks for the tip.

[@BRSfresh]

Glad to hear this helped!

[@GiovanniGracia-bh7su]

What brand of hosing do you use? I can only find very stiff hosing. It looks like yours is very soft and bendy. Do you have a link where I can find this hosing???

[@BRSfresh]

this is what you're looking for (available for US shipment only) brs.li/4eUCqiV

[@GiovanniGracia-bh7su]

@@BRSfresh Thanks!

[@joesmith9103]

Is glycerin safe for the ultra fine defusers that warn against using mineral oils or any kind of 'bubble counter fluid'?

[@BRSfresh]

If glycerin or mineral spirits were to get to your diffuser, you would need to replace it. But that is unlikely to happen (at least in our experience)

[@Mike14U2NV]

Is vegetable glycerine the same thing? It’s all i can find. And can you add food coloring to it to make it different colors?

[@BRSfresh]

That should work the same, but let us know if you get a different result.

[@baileyclement7450]

Ive been running co2 from the 2 bottle setup (that i learned from your channel 😁) with daily ferts (flourish and flourish excel), about 6 root tabs, and about 2 inches of the enriched aquasoil substrate on a 10g extremely heavily planted tank with a large variety of plants with no fish in it (only some pest snails that hitched a ride from the store) so i dont necessarily have to worry about killing anything by having too much co2. I dont even have a co2 checker because of that fact. And i never turn the co2 off because no fish to kill, pretty much just an underwater garden and my question is: should i put my diffuser near my HOB filter intake? Its literally SO planted that i dont think the filter flow even really reaches the other side where the diffuser is but theoretically wouldnt i get better absorption if the co2 bubbles are going into the filter and back into the water that way? So theres more dispersion of co2-ified water flow..?

[@baileyclement7450]

Also, is there such thing as too much co2 if I don't have any fish to worry about killing? im just basically feeding the plants all the nutrients i can think of in all the ways i know of

[@BRSfresh]

Good question! If the flow isn't getting to the other side of the tank, making a change in your diffuser location to better cover the tank is a good idea. In the case of an enclosed canister, near the intake is a good option as the gas will stay within the tubing/canister before being released into the tank. In the case of HOB, you run the risk of losing gas in the open top before it's full dissolved. If you're plants are healthy, I wouldn't worry about it. If they're showing signs of CO2 deficiency, consider two diffusers (you can get a y connector for around $25) then run one on either side. Again, if all is well, I think you're good :)

[@BRSfresh]

Also a good question - yes, that is definitely a thing. Biggest concern would be fish, but in your case, plants can be negatively affected by a large drop in pH from the increased CO2 amongst other things like nutrient imbalances

[@baileyclement7450]

@BRSfresh I also don't have a heater and never do water changes only top ups. I know I've heard some plants do better with warmer waters but again it's so planted that I think a heater would barely fit and/or throw off the look that I'm going for and kinda be an eye sore to the jungle I have in there. Think it'd be worth trying to hide a heater inside the hob filter? Also should I be doing water changes if no fish in there? It's currently been running for about 2 months and absolutely no nitrate

[@BRSfresh]

Sounds like you have a great balance in there. With no fish you should be fine to continue what you’re doing. I have not had an issue with growing a variety of plants at room temp without a heater.

[@User123sisan]

How about an external defuser? Any good?

[@BRSfresh]

Inline diffusers work well - you get the benefit of both not seeing the diffuser in the tank as well as a much higher dilution of the gas in the water

[@oztekofficial8150]

What about using a air stone in the same tank would it be detrimental to the co2 amount

[@BRSfresh]

Good question - in our studio we have used a strong air pump to create surface agitation/oxygenation in a 36" long tank with the CO2 diffuser on the opposite side. Plants are thriving and CO2 levels are stable so haven't had any issues

[@saulyp1]

Do you still add plant fertiliser to your tanks alongside the co2? I'm just in the process of learning about it and want to add a co2 kit and was hoping to cut bk on all the chemical fertilisers in my tank

[@BRSfresh]

May depend a bit on your set up - but while the combo of CO2 and ferts will likely result in the best plant growth, if your goal is to cut back on ferts go ahead and just use CO2. We have multiple setups with only CO2, no ferts, and they are doing great. That said, when your planted substrate deteriorates (maybe after a year) ferts may be a needed supplement for your root feeders if you’re not otherwise using root tabs or changing the substrate.

[@zawadrahman7035]

Why not shift to inline diffusers for the tanks that you run canister filters on ?

[@BRSfresh]

Inline diffusers are great options as well. More efficient when it comes to dissolving the gas in the aquarium and if you don’t like the look in your tank that’s the way to go

[@gustavobrasil108]

If i don't like CO2 bubbles... Can i set my difuser under de filter? The bubbles goes inside the filter and back to the water... Can it work?

[@dualquadable]

Absolutely it works. But if you have a canister filter using an in-line reactor is the best whereby the CO2 micro bubbles is dissolved before coming out of the outflow pipe of your filter. Sera Flore 500 or 1000 active reactor are amongst the best.

[@michellerae4589]

What type of glycerin do you use?

[@BRSfresh]

Just a vegetable glycerin works fine

[@Gizoogle1]

I started with c02 about 2 weeks ago but chose a inline diffuser. Was this a mistake? I'm still trying to dial it in..

[@BRSfresh]

Definitely worth it! In-line diffusers are a great way to maximize absorption of the CO2 in your tank.

[@Gizoogle1]

@@BRSfresh Awesome thanks for the confirmation. Hoping to see my plants take off soon!

[@TheDamus]

My check valve is definitely too far from my diffuser. What placement do you recommend for hang on back filtered tanks? I have my diffuser at the bottom middle of one side of my tank. I have two filters running on either end of a 40 breeder. Is there a better place than this?

[@BRSfresh]

👋! Set the diffuser about 2” back off the top rim and you should be good. That’s my go-to placement on multiple tanks and have had no problems. Too low (like the bottom of the tank) has resulted in the gas not effectively making it to the diffuser in my experience.

[@bclmqd]

Glycerin, eh? Off I go get me some then!!

[@daffafirst8538]

I'm not using CO2 diffuser as my CO2 is DIY that is not able to penetrate the ceramic diffuser So I use a better method and that is mixer, ISTA has it, CO2 mixmax, but I make it my own with powerhead, and a bottle. I know it is bad in appearance, but you can just put it behind, and let your plants hide it

[@BRSfresh]

Cool that you have something that works for you! ISTA has some great stuff

[@theturbomedia1]

maybe oil instead of glicerine??

[@BRSfresh]

Baby oil has been known to work as well. The viscosity will be different between water, baby oil, and glycerin. Just make sure you are checking your CO2 checker and adjusting the flow for whatever you are using.

[@gavin7158]

I have learned a ton from your videos! Thank you, have a blessed day!