During the first few days of running the DIYCO2 when it begins bubbling be sure to keep daily checks of pH until you are sure it is running ok. If you need to adjust pH due to changes CO2 has made do so with non phosphate containing pH adjusters. If you are in doubt ask on the message boards here. Many pH adjusters contain phosphates. This will cause an algae bloom with CO2. Some examples of those with phosphates is a product by TLC for pH down and pH higher. Most pH adjusters do contain this so you will have to be careful.
Additionally you will probably need to add Iron supplements such as Flourish Iron and/or use a Flourite substrate. Also consider ordering a fertilizer such as Tropica's Master Grow. Tropica is world recognized for quality plants and plant products (which plants are only sold as a franchise Licensed name in the US since Tropica's plants are not eligible for import here directly) most of all ask people if you have questions.
Lighting is always crucial too. If you supply CO2 but only have a "dinky little low power light" you're not going to see any results.
Comment #1
(Posted by The fluzz) Rating
Thank you for including brand names...since I just set up a new aquarium, and used Flourite, I feel I am on the right track. Info on PH adjusters was also timely for me.
Comment #2
(Posted by C.Calve) Rating
Good Artical.
One trick I am dying to share is that the addition of a small amount of Sodium MetaBisulfate added to the yeast mixture will help to prolong the proccess by creating a slightly hostile environment for the yeast so that it grows more slowly and doesn't "out-grow" it's closed environment as quickly. SMBS is available as a wine-making additive and is readily available. While your at the wine supply store, check out the various "Bungs" on offer; some offer an air-lock sylte that acts as a bubble counter as well as an easy place to make your fittings
Comment #3
(Posted by jd) Rating
Good explanation of the process to build a diy co2 factory but some of the other info is less reliable. There is no need to worry about co2 related ph changes, especially with a DIY setup.
I think implying that much lighting is needed with diy co2 is dangerous too. If you go much over 1.5 wpg then your diy co2 will no longer be sufficient and you will produce more algae than plants.
Comment #4
(Posted by Nick) Rating
Good article, however I do not agree with airstones as a method of diffusion.
With an airstone, 80-95% of the CO2 will be wasted when the bubble pops at the surface.
You can increase the amount of time a bubble spends in the water with one of those spiral diffusers. The bubble goes up a long winding coarse for anywhere from 5-25', all compacted into a little 6" box. This way, much much more of the CO2 will diffuse into the water.
Another way is with a CO2 reactor. Most of these need to be store bought, but are basically just passing the bubbles through a mesh of some kind. Makes the bubbles extremely small and many will just disappear into the water.
The best way is with a nano glass diffuser. It makes the bubbles extremely tiny and almost instantly a part of the water column. All of these go for under 30.
Comment #5
(Posted by Josh Cooper) Rating
I Have to say, I Had a planted discus tank with DIY C02 and couldnt get the PH Below 7, After adding lots of black water extract and Driftwood, It still wouldnt budge. I Got Good Tap Water, (cleanest and purist in the world), And I nearly Thought It was my Bag of ecocomplete, But after Removing The C02, and Doing 25% water Changes every 12 hours, and Testing the ph 5 hrs after every change, I discovered that I was Growing Algae and Slime in my tank From using the DIY C02.
I Added iron Fertiliser weekly, and Had Lots of plants
I only had a C02 Check valve, Bubble Counter, and Glass Diffuser under the spray Bar. So PH can and will Be affected By DIY C02, Make Sure you monitor Your levels, or you will definetely loose Fish (I lost 2 young Discus from this). If You are Careful, You Will Have Fun Watching your fish come Alive!
Steve S, aka LBritish, is the owner of several aquaria websites including 
