Anyone heard anything about the Red Sea CO2 kit?

[RedFish]

http://www.redseafish.com/Product.asp?dir=y&CatId=99&SubID=61&proID=229

It is slightly less expensive than the Hagen kit, but does up to 40 gallon aquarium.

Same idea, you mix the sugar and yeast, but it uses a "diffusion pump which injects CO2into the aquarium via a purpose designed venturi, which produces micro-bubbles of CO2 at water depths of more than 45cm (18")"    (my tank is 18" deep hmmmmm).

I know youse guys tend to be diy or real co2 tanks, but I was wondering if anyone has heard good or bad about this system.   I am so not into diy and purchasing the whole co2 tanks etc is too much money for me.

I googled it and couldn't find any remarks, just sales.

They also recommend their co2 indicator -
http://www.redseafish.com/product.asp?dir=&catID=99&subID=64&proID=231

Thanks!

[Aquaviewer]

I used this system before I went to pressurized CO2/in-line diffuser.  It was OK and the venturi/small power head worked well for a while and made great micro bubbles.  After about 3 months though, the power head started to cavitate badly and no amount of cleaning could get it working well again.  I got a diffuser ladder after that but, so I might as well have made my own system out of a 2L pop bottle at that point.  That compounded with the hassle of mixing up yeast every three weeks and finding a reasonable price on a regulator facilitated the switch over to pressure system and haven't looked back.

If you do use it, buy your own yeast and sugar from a Ubrew place - way cheaper than the Red Sea Mix at the LFS.

[RedFish]

I had to look up the definition of cavitate.


Thanks for the info, it doesn't sound like a good investment, then.   They also have a mini setup to attach to a paintball co2 canister, but I found a comment on another forum about the plastic parts wearing out quickly.

Looks like Red Sea had some neat ideas that need a little more work.

Thanks Aquaviewer.

[sas]

I use this system on a 29 and a 35, both of which are heavily planted. I'm a real newbie, no DIY skills at all (that's hubbies turf) and I would have to say I'm semisatisfied with the outcome. I make my own yeast and sugar mix from the grocery store which isn't a big deal since I make bread and always have the ingredients around. My mix lasts about a month. The reason I say I'm semisatisfied with the system is because it tends to clog up, that is the venturi get full of slime but... I'm on very hard water.Haven't had an issue with the diffusion pump yet but I've only run it for 5 months on the first setup? Hope that helps From the few big tanks I've seen you definitely need to go bigger on the CO2 system or choose your plants wisely.

[RedFish]

Thanks for the reply sas.   I would have been using it on a 29 gal like you.
With BigDaddy's advice, I don't think I will be needing one.


I used to use the Hagen CO2 kit on a heavily planted 10 gallon.   The ladder used to get covered in algae (normal stuff) and I would have to take it out and thoroughly clean it from time to time, so I guess the venturi getting slimed is normal too.

Thanks for your comments, it all helps me realize that when and if I ever do CO2 I want to do it with tanks and regulators etc and not fuss with sugar and yeast again.

[gonzobluefuzz]

The reason I say I'm semisatisfied with the system is because it tends to clog up, that is the venturi get full of slime but... I'm on very hard water.

there is a DIY collector here

http://www.qsl.net/w2wdx/aquaria/diyco2.html



Last third of the page DIY gas CO₂ gas separator. Just thought I'd pass it along

HTH

G