So awesome to hear that! I am ecstatic my video inspired you to give it a go. I appreciate you taking the time to tell your story and the compliments on the video! Happy CO2ing! 🤘

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the vid. I can’t take any credit for the kitchen though, we bought the house after a fresh remodel so it was already done! 🤣 I appreciate you noticing though!

Awesome information! Appreciate you sharing for me and all others that see this comment.

I dont know it will work for you or no, but you can use plastic to put citric acid + soda other way just to pour citric acid + soda directly to water This way will give you a lil time, enough time to close tigh the valve, water Cons : you have to seek plasctic and take it out when refilling and cleaning your tube.

Can do the same mix in a 2L bottle?

@quadzilla26b no. It will be too high of a reaction.

@@ssaquascapes it actually works! Iv done it on a 2L this week!

Thank you! I appreciate you watching and I’m glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for the comment!

Thank you! 🙇‍♂️

Thank you. I appreciate the support! 🤘

Great tip. I learned this as well. The drop checker takes forever to react as well so it’ll take a day or two in order to dial it in perfectly. Thanks for adding this tip Ken!

My pleasure. Thanks for checking out the vid. I have a follow up video as well if you need a little more info. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/n7CnfpaTmNm0k6M.htmlsi=eqyiejCyED0iaaA_

Thank you. There is a follow up vid on the channel too if you’re interested. 🤘

You should be able to use any inline co2 diffuser. From my experience they all have an airline IN connection where you would connect your co2 line or air line. 🤘

Glad you enjoyed it.

Looking for one right now.@@ssaquascapes

Thank you. 🙏

::::lightbulb moment::::🤣🤣

I have 5 of the screw top bubble counter’s and the ones I have DO have a flat o-ring to seal it. Here is a direct link to the screw cap ones I use. Note the o-ring on picture 3 I think. amzn.to/44xzRgW

Starting out, I’d recommend focusing most of your money into plants. The plants are the key to an algae free aquarium. Lots of plants. You can go with a low cost internal filter for the 10G like Hygger which is quick and easy to clean. A basic aquasoil like Mr. Aqua aquarium soil will do the job for substrate. To further lower the cost, go out in nature and collect your stones and driftwood. That’s all there is too it! 10 G Filter:amzn.to/3Rz7ud3 Aquasoil: amzn.to/4aAcBCE

@@ssaquascapes Thank you so much!

Excellent. Thank you. I did learn quickly from viewers that a ml is equal to a gram. I am a math idiot for sure. 🤣 I appreciate you taking the time to offer this suggestion. Thanks for the support! 🤘

And this is why the metric system is vastly superior 😂

Beginning to agree with you the more I use it on this hobby. 🤘

Or you could make it real easy. Since the density of ice is roughly the same as liquid water. Fill a jug with 500ml of water and fill it with ice until 1400ml. Pour the ice in and leave the water behind. If some ice melted just pour until the jug reads 500 ml. Life isn't that complicated.

Thank you. I appreciate that! Glad the videos helped you make a decision. Monte Carlo likes CO2 for sure. Mine didn’t grow until I put it in a tank with CO2 so hopefully you have the same results.

So I got mine in and set it up 2 days ago. I woke today and checked the psi inside the tank and the meter is maxed out!! Yesterday it was only at 250 psi. Any idea on if I need to do anything? I mixed the correct amount and gave it a swirl just like you did in the video.

What psi? Over 400-440? I’ve never had mine max out the pressure gauge. That would be 600 psi. It’s possible you have a faulty gauge if your gram measurements are correct. There is a safety valve that will pop if the canister is over pressure so if it hasn’t yet, I guess I’d just run the system and see what it does on the next refill. If same pressure result than it must be an inaccurate gauge if measurements are correct on the ingredients.

@@ssaquascapes it's sitting at 580 or so. 600 psi is the max on my gauge.

There was another commentor on either this video or the other one that said he gets almost 600 psi, but is increasing his ratio of ingredients. That being said, I think safety wise, you’re OK, I don’t think the bottle is going to explode. However, don’t take my word for it and I’m not responsible for it, (disclaimer). I would just give it another shot after this one is used up and see if you have the same results. If so, and you want to play it safe, decrease your ingredients by 20%. I guess you got a really good swirl, and the entire reaction fired off at one time.

Thank you. 1) 3-4 weeks depending on BPS. 2) Most drop checkers will remain dark green - blue green overnight. 3) Depending on BPS and aquarium size; roughly 2-3 hours. Pro tip: set your smart socket or timer to have the CO2 turn on 3 hours before lighting once you’ve dialed in your co2 BPS. Off 5 hours before lights. I found this to be the best cycle.

I have had no issues with corrosion as it is stainless steel. There is a follow up video on the channel if you’d like to see more. DIY Co2 Generator for Aquariums | All you need to know | 4 Month Review. Zrdr Co2 Generator System. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/n7CnfpaTmNm0k6M.html

Thanks! Glad you’re enjoying the channel content. It is a Marineland (PetSmart) 75g aquarium and stand combo.

@@ssaquascapes I was close. I also have a marineland 10 gal half-moon that's 10 years old with a betta in it, still in excellent shape. wish I could send a pic.

Photos can be sent to my email at ssaquascapes@gmail

I am

That’s just….sweet! 🤘🤘 Link to bags? Do you get any residue/crystals in the bottom with this method?

Glad you liked the vid! And thanks for the conversation. Easy enough!

Yeah, I was going to mention the same thing . 😂 metric is amazing.

Yup learned that real fast. Much more efficient

I run all Hygger lights. 8 in total. Some have only the 24/7 - 8/10/12. Those ones I run off a electrical socket timer. 100% intensity on the lights, 6 on/6 off/6 on/6 off. The other lights have a fully automated smart controller built into the light. And are set on the same 6/6/6/6 schedule but the light controls it. I USED to run the lights on the built in timer at 12 hours. But I am playing with lighting currently for maximum plant growth and algae control.

They are SS. Work pretty well so far.

I have no experience with a tent setup. I couldn’t weigh in on that topic with any confidence, sorry. It is a low PSI system (400 PSI max) so keep that in mind for your setup.

Thanks!

He knows his buffet can’t swim off and eats at his leisure. He’ll eat a few every night; his favorite time to hunt.

I’ve been told is possibly my brand of baking soda that is causing a lower reaction; something about a caking agent or anti-caking agent. However, the cylinder itself is rated for way higher pressure than you will ever build in the system so don’t worry about an explosion. The cylinder should hold up and the safety valve would be what fails first.

@@ssaquascapes have you ever tried a higher quality regulator on the ZRDR tanks? And the baking soda I used is the boxed kind.

I have not tried a different regulator. These seem proprietary as the screw into the neck of the bottle. Haven’t seen any aftermarket regulators that have the same design.

@awel69 or @ssaquascapes - how are you bleeding the system? Could you explain or do a video? Mine is at 500psi after 24 hours of setup and I am getting a bit worried on how to release pressure.

@ljmarik To answer your question: I would plug the solenoid into power and just open the needle valve to bleed pressure to the atmosphere (no co2 tubing on bubble counter). But read on!! There is no need to worry for your situation. It seems people using a better brand of baking soda are seeing a higher pressure. Think of this as a BONUS! The safety relief valve is set to blow out at 600 PSI (approximate) so you don’t need to worry about a catastrophic failure. This valve is the screw looking thing on the back of the regulator. I see different pressures based on different brands of ingredients, inaccurate measurements, barometric pressure, humidity, etc. nothing to worry about at this time. Enjoy the extra 100psi. 🤘🤘

Thanks for watching and commenting. I’m actually testing pressurized liquid CO2 vs this system as we speak. A long experiment for a video. Stay tuned for the video release stating the results! 🤘

I’d return it. There should be a stop when you get to max adjustment. Mine don’t twist all the way off. Sorry you got a bad unit. If from Amazon it should be an easy swap.

@@ssaquascapes Thanks for the head's up. I'll probably return it. I like your channel.

@johndavismit thank you. Glad I could help.

I would. There are a few quirks to watch out for, but I am still using all three tanks to this day by ZRDR. Here is a follow-up video I made discussing things to consider with these systems. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/n7CnfpaTmNm0k6M.htmlsi=bIl8N_XcrPLBgxCQ

@@ssaquascapes Thanks! I actually found that follow up video and ordered the 2L model. They do offer the 2L model with double-gauge now, for about $20 more... Since i'm just running a 3g tank, i'll be doing 1bp3s or so, I figured the second gauge wouldn't be necessary due to such a slow drain. How long do you think one mix will last at that slow depletion?

I get about 3 - 4 weeks at 1bp3s. You should be happy with the performance. Congrats on the purchase. 🤘

Hot water rinse a few times.

Thanks! 🤘

The max pressure I can get on this generator is 400psi. From my experience with 12g co2 cartridges, they normally hold around 1000 psi of pressure. The system in this video would not produce enough pressure to fill the cartridges to a useable level as they would not even be half full. I also believe they use liquid co2 to achieve the continuous pressure in that small of a cartridge. This system is all gas co2. So, I don’t think you would have any success at all.

@@ssaquascapes thanks for the confirmation.I though that would be a possibility! Very unfortunate for my use case though.

Yeah, it will only last a few weeks at 2 bps. It’s normal based on my testing.

I just wait till the needle on the gauge is at 0. There will always be a little pressure left when you open but not enough to worry about.

Yes. God bless the metric system

Your drop checker should change color in about an hour. But, start slow and increase every few hours on startup if you have livestock in the tank. You don’t want to gas the tank as the drop checker is delayed. Co2 longevity will depend on how large the tank is and how much co2 you’re injecting. The bottle could last 3 weeks or 3 months based on those factors.

Will i able to install splitter on this model?

@vichope6408 yes I run splitter on these units.

Sounds like a deal! Thanks for sharing! 🤘

No. Check valve above the water line as near the diffuser (bubbler) as desired. Most insert it in line behind the tank.

No worries. It’s not toxic and I have not had one come loose.

Seems about right. Probably lost a little reaction with the warm water. For max results/pressure a subscribed said to use ice instead of water. Works really well and this is the method I use now to get 400 psi every time. No loss of gas! 🤘

@@ssaquascapes ill have to put water in fridge and do it next time and see difference, really good kits considering its 35 usd.

@asustransformer28 I agree on the value!

Still using all three systems as we speak. Haven’t had any issue with them except replacing the diffuser and check valve. If you don’t have access to liquid co2 filling stations this system is worth the investment

Also I can't believe I haven't thought of counting 1-thousand-1 1-thousand-2 to determine how many bubbles per second. Thanks for the tip!

I have had no experience with a regular pressurized CO2 system so I could not speak of comparison unfortunately. Depending on use this DIY system can last between 1 month and 3 months. I actually did an detailed update video on these systems recently. I have 3 of these and show you the pros and cons. If you’d like to check it out, here is a direct link kzfaq.info/get/bejne/n7CnfpaTmNm0k6M.html or you can find it in my video list titled “DIY Co2 Generator for Aquariums”. Hope that helps you make a decision on these systems.

@@ssaquascapes actually after thinking about it, who cares if it doesn't last as long as a regular pressurized system. The ease of refilling makes up for it. Just pop off the cover, fill in the reactant stuff, pop it close again, and bam you're back in business. With pressurized system even if I could somehow find someplace to fill it back up, I still gotta take the time of the day to drive up there and drive back home again. So yeah still worth it I think.

Exactly. I love just ordering citric acid and baking soda from Amazon, it shows up at home, and I just make CO2 when needed. Takes about 5 minutes once you have done it a few times. If you do get one off Amazon, I think I have a quick link in the description. 🤘 Thanks for the support!

You will need: Baking Soda, citric acid, and an outlet timer if you want to run the system automatically on a timer. Other than that, the kit comes with all the parts you need.

THANK YOU!

And I called myself reading the instructions and now I have filled the cannister and capped it with no filter on it.

🤣 It’s ok. Just don’t shake the bottle and you should be fine. Just add filter the next time.

The black filter holder is plastic and screws into metal. So I have also noticed it to be loose but I have not had it fail yet. See if you can just stick it in there and maybe even super glue it in. once that filter is in the regulator, you have no need to remove it again.

Sounds like your needle valve is clogged. If you unscrew the needle valve all the way, you should be able to disassemble it and make sure it is perfectly clean. Blow out the hole, orifice, and reassemble. If that does not work, there is a clog somewhere else.

For me, the 4L system last about five weeks. The 2L system lasts about three weeks. I have not put sugar and yeast in the system as it is designed for citric acid and baking soda.

@@ssaquascapes thanks, just watching your 4 months review

I appreciate it! 🤘

If it is the 4 button controller you can just put it on a timer. It’ll turn on to last dim setting when it regains power. If it has the led screen Smart Control, then no, an external light timer won’t work. It won’t turn on until you set the clock on the controller.

The needle valve only controls the bubbles per second,or co2, going into the airline. The pressure regulator limits the pressure from bottle to needle valve. So you do have two valves to control pressure on the 4L size system (the one in this video). The 2L size system has only a needle valve that holds back all 400 PSI. BUT, you can fit a 4L regulator on a 2L bottle which I may do later (I have two 2L kits). You can buy the 4L regulators separately. Hope that helps.

Lowest bubble count that can be tuned? Can it be tuned for 1 bubble for 4 seconds. Because most of the budget friendly regulators have these issues .

On my 5 gallon tanks I have 1 bubble per 3 sec. You can get slower bubble counts but when tank pressure drops, needle will have to be readjusted to maintain flow.

@@ssaquascapes thanks a lot . This helps a lot as I am trying to buy for my nano tank

I do recommend them. So far I am very happy with all 3 systems I have from this brand.

I've been running a smaller one (2.5l). 200g of each has given me three weeks of 1bps with no noticeable movement on my gauge. I have read that a 200g reaction will give approx ~90-120 days at 1 bps

I will be doing a follow up video. But, now that I learned how to get 430 PSI when I make a batch, I will see how long it lasts. Currently it is on a 75 gallon (300L?) tank at 3 BPS. Needle hasn’t moved much in a week. Still over 400 PSI. I also have two of the 2L versions and love them as well. After a month of use with ZRDR systems, I think they are worth getting 100%. I’d buy again for sure.

@@ssaquascapes ok we will see,because I'm interested in the tube, but I have to see first how long it can work in one time, mix the cinnamon soda per 200g .

It’s useable in a few minutes as it’ll have enough pressure. Full 400psi within 12 hours or so.

@@ssaquascapes hmmm, mine (fzone 2.5L) has been sitting over 12 hours and the needle is still barely in the green. I used Amazon brand baking soda, maybe that’s the problem?

@DavPlaGuiTar many people have commented that different brands do produce different PSI‘s. Millard brand from Amazon seems to work best for both ingredients

James, The link to the product on Amazon is in the description section of this video. If you’re on your phone, click “more” under the video title and you should see the Amazon affiliate link for the CO2 system there.

Good idea!

Came with the kit. Both required for filter.

@@ssaquascapes si el mío lo trae también pero mencionas en el vídeo q trae 2 filtros y q una era repuesto si era repuesto o se ponen los dos una afuera y una adentro?

Minuto 10:30

@@alejklsanchez8360 In the video I was wrong. Put both white filters in the black holder. This is how I have mine.

@@ssaquascapes ok ok esa era mi duda el orificio q trae hacia donde va dirigido?

No experience with that. But it is only 400psi. I’d go with a liquid co2 system.

I haven’t fitted a new regulator or had a leak so I am no help but hopefully the community will chime in. 🤘

Yes. I have it on a 75 gallon aquarium. You’ll just have to fill it a little more often than on a small aquarium.

Pretty well. I did an update video. It’s in the video list. Title: “DIY co2 generator for aquariums”. Detailed review there of the 3 systems I own.

Doesn’t work in this application. You don’t want the reaction to start (water is the catalyst) before you can get the cap on. You want to trap the reaction. You mix chemicals that way to avoid severe reactions that can be dangerous. We actually WANT the rapid reaction. 😉

@gordr8024 can you take a video of you adding the powder baking soda and citric acid mix to the cylinder of water? My email is in my bio. Thanks Also, I am under the impression that a catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change. Since the water never changes from his physical or chemical property, I would assume it was the catalyst.

No idea and I have no advice for that application.

Oh, you’re using it in a grow tent for atmospheric CO2. Yeah, this is probably too small of a system to see any concentration in a room. But I still advise you use caution as it appears you are. Other than that, I couldn’t offer much advice of tent CO2 setups as I have zero experience there.

Agreed. Now that I know how to measure it by weight, this could be done if desired.

I have no knowledge base on making carbonated drinks but I imagine a machine like “Soda Stream” would be much simpler.

@@ssaquascapes You are right, however, the CO2 canisters are hard to replace and run out quickly. The idea here is to replace the CO2 canisters with some more reliable and available source, like those baking soda and citric acid.

I see. We’ll keep in mind the pressure of this system only reaches 400psi and will decrease with use. I don’t know how much pressure a soda machine needs to carbonate water. But, I have recently switched to liquid CO2 canisters from a local air and gas company. A 5 pound bottle has lasted me months. Might look into a traditional CO2 system and regulator for aquariums in order to maximize your liquid CO2 use. The pressure remains constant until the bottle is empty vs this system.

@@ssaquascapes so, 600 gm of both materials gives you 400psi, this very great, in soda machines it uses nearly 40-50 psi to infuse co2. The liquid co2 is better for dissolving it in water.

Correct.

I have thought about this as well. My answer, to be safe, is no. They are not designed for yeast/sugar. I would have to experiment with it to see if it can be done and get the measurements correct so it didn’t bubble over into the regulator. Maybe worth a video some day. Heck, try searching KZfaq. Maybe someone has done it already. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Theoretically, there is no such pressure there, until recently I used one 2-liter Coke bottle with 1 liter of water, a teaspoon of yeast, a glass of sugar and a teaspoon of soda. A syringe with linden wood as a diffuser. The bottle was always soft and the mess didn't go beyond the bottle. What do you think about it?

I’m not worried about the pressure. These steel canisters can hold more pressure than you could create with sugar and yeast. My issue is that if it foams, and gets in the regulator, it would clog up the regulator. You were not seeing pressure on the coke bottle because you had little to no restriction to hold pressure back. If you just put a sealed cap on you would see pressure build up, like in these systems. Again, with the right measurements to prevent excess foaming, I am sure it could be done in these ZRDR systems. But, until I personally test it, I won’t put my name out there saying it’s ok because I don’t know for sure. 🤘

Yup. Learned that shortly after. 😁

This is the 4L.

Thank you. 🤘

Might have been a bad regulator. The check valve shouldn’t add much restriction unless installed backwards. 🤷🏼‍♂️

I change mine when I feel it stops reading accurately. Maybe every 3 months. I look at it when I do water changes. Lower the water below the drop checker and it will be exposed to atmospheric air changing it to dark blue pretty fast (roughly 20-30 mins). If it doesn’t react that fast I change it out. Probably not the best method but it is my method.

@@ssaquascapes thank you sir

Don’t think it has enough volume for that. But you can try. 😁🤘

I run it all the way down until there is no more bubbles in the bubble counter. Needle in red. Then twist the regulator off the bottle very slowly which will release the rest of the pressure. If you’re in the yellow and getting no bubbles. Adjust the regulator and needle valve to compensate for the lower pressure in bottle.

One of the first vids on the channel. Check here for an update. 😁 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/m7d9YLea2pzNe2g.htmlsi=7LT9Y2ZAUntixj7G

Yes I see the price has come down since I made the video. Can you shop on Amazon USA and pay for the shipping to India?

@@ssaquascapes ya this is so cool, Thanks

Like 200 in Canada 😢

Yep, I have learned this since this video. Appreciate the watch and the comment. Cheers.

I hit tare and zeroed the cup.

I’ll have to try it.

@@ssaquascapes Have you tried it yet 🔥

Thank you. I am learning my metric measurements from all of you guys. It’s starting to make sense why everyone but us uses the metric system. 🤣

I did! Did it provide you with much entertainment? As this is the goal of YT. 😁🤘😁

​@@ssaquascapesgoal accomplished 😂

🤣😛

It did now 😂👍

🤣sweet! Thanks for watching!🤘

I don’t math so gooder. 😛

Thanks (I think) 😐

Yes, it is an initial investment. But there are other CO2 options like the yeast method. Lots of videos on that on YT. I just prefer this method.

Ah…but it does now. 😉

I did. I hate math. Useless for video production. 🤣🤣

Thanks for the interaction. 🤣

You watched the vid,was the sound up or DOWN,cause he mentions,hes not an experienced KZfaqr lol

Yeah, people schooled me on basic metric measurements pretty quick. 🤣 I do use ice on some refill now.