How to Use CO2 Tank Systems

Aquatic plants can add color and vibrancy to your fish tank. One potential problem, however, is that plants needs plenty of carbon dioxide (CO2) to grow, but CO2 is toxic to fish. In fact, most fish aquariums require filters to pull out the CO2 while replenishing the amount of oxygen in the tank. In order to keep your plants healthy though, you then have to pump CO2 back in by means of CO2 tank systems.

Things You'll Need

  • CO2 bio or pressurized tank system
  • PH strips
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Instructions

  1. Use CO2 Bio Tank Systems

    • 1

      Lay out all the parts needed. Homemade CO2 bio systems include a 2-liter soda bottle, yeast, sugar, pH buffer, water, flexible plastic tubing and a bottle lid with a tubing-size hole cut into it.

    • 2

      Thread the tubing through the bottle lid so that there is plenty of tubing to reach down to the bottom of the bottle and enough tubing on the other side of the lid to drape into the aquarium.

    • 3

      Mix up 1 tsp. of yeast, 1/2 tsp. of baking soda, 2 cups of sugar and 1 1/2 liters of water. Let all the dry ingredients completely dissolve into the water.

    • 4

      Pour the mixture into the bottle and screw on the lid tightly after first inserting the tubing into the bottle.

    • 5

      Place the other end of the tubing into the aquarium water. After an hour, bubbles should start to appear from the tube. This is the CO2.

    • 6

      Replace the contents of the soda bottle after about 2 weeks or when you notice the bubble production is beginning to dramatically decrease.

    Use a CO2 Pressurized System

    • 7

      Install the CO2 tank system in your aquarium based on the instructions included in your kit.

    • 8

      Use the regulator to control the pressure and amount of CO2 released into the aquarium. You should be able to adjust the regulator to release one bubble every few seconds. This will keep a nice even flow of CO2 to your aquarium and lengthen out the life of your CO2 tank.

    • 9

      Test the pH of the aquarium periodically to make sure the regulator is working properly. You can do this by using pH strips that will change color based on the amount of pH and CO2 in the aquarium.

    • 10

      Avoid letting the CO2 tank run out of pressure. As the CO2 gets used up and the tank nears empty, the tank will lose pressure, making it nearly impossible for the regulator to do its job. It will eventually just spit out the rest of the CO2 into the aquarium at one time if you do not refill the tank. Be diligent about keeping enough pressure in your CO2 to avoid killing your fish with toxins.