Hagen Nutrafin CO2 Natural Plant System with CO2 Activator and Stabilizer

If you plan on having plants in your aquarium then injecting CO2 into your tank is highly recommended. Having a yeast-based CO2 system for me is the easiest, cheapest and safest way to go (as opposed to a canister-based system). When using a yeast-based system, like this Hagen one, it's impossible to overdose CO2 in your tank which is nice.

Remember, having 2-4 watts of "quality" fluorescent lighting per gallon (compact fluorescent fixtures seems to me to be the best choice) in your aquarium is even more important than adding CO2.

This off the shelf system should be sufficient for beginning aquarists who are starting out with plants (fish don't need extra CO2). While not as efficient or cheap as a DIY one, it does a decent job of putting a fair amount of CO2 in the tank for about 2 week periods at a time. People who also don't want to mix their own yeast mixture will find the packets more convenient (however less effective).

The Hagen diffuser (that dissolves the CO2 bubbles into the water) does a decent job. However, there is waste, meaning, CO2 bubbles escape to the surface before being dissolved. But you still will get a raise in the tank's CO2 level.

So, if you are new to CO2 systems and want something that is minimal investment ($35) and don't want to make your own system, then this is a no brainer system. I think you should get it and help your plants to thrive.

But if you want a cheaper, much more effective system, then do this: For 10-25 gallon tank, use one 2 liter soda bottle. For 25-50, use 2. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of bakers yeast in warm water and then let it sit for 5-10 min. Then dissolve 2 cups of sugar into filtered water and pour into soda bottle. Add the yeast. Drill a hole in the soda bottle cap and either glue an air line to run through it or buy a metal airline connector (like from Lowes or Home Depot) and glue it (using Goop) into the cap. After you have the air line running out from the soda bottle (if you have two then connect them using a T brass connector), run it into your aquarium and dissolve the CO2 using a diffuser (like this Hagen one, howbeit not efficient), an air stone (also not efficient) or into a small pop bottle that a Rio Power Head is forcing water into to completely dissolve the CO2 bubbles. You can search around and find photos on how this is done.

After all of my trial and errors, the above method using soda bottles with a metal airline connector in the cap (glued in with goop) and a Rio Power head is the best, cheapest and most effective system for pumping CO2 into your tank.

If you are purchasing this Hagen system, just remember that for every 20 gallons of water you have in your aquarium, you need to set up another Hagen canister. So for a 40 gallon tank, buy 2 of these. But remember, you will get a nice rise in CO2 levels but not near the level you would using a forced water reactor using a Power head. There are two parts to a CO2 system: the amount and quality of CO2 bubbles being produced and then also the amount those CO2 bubbles are being diffused into the aquarium water. The best is having the bubbles completely disappear into the water. Then you know there is no waste to your CO2 production.

To find out how much CO2 is effectively being dissolved into your tank, search online for the CO2 measurement calculator. This is measured by the ratio of KH and PH in your tank (as long as you haven't used PH buffers).

Hope this helps you in making a valued purchase.

This system is simple to use and affordable compared to most CO2 systems, but if you're willing to put in a little effort and research you could build your own CO2 fermentation system that works just as well (if not better) for a fraction of the cost. Still, not everyone is willing to build their own, and this system is a decent compromise. It's also pretty safe, since the CO2 injection is slow and gradual and won't cause fast pH drops. Make sure you have a decent buffering capacity just in case.

My only criticism is the "activator" and "stabilizer" packets which Hagen sells for this product they are too expensive for what they are (basically yeast and baking powder) and a home-made mixture seems to work better for me anyway. With Hagen's mix, I couldn't get more than about 9 ppm CO2 in my 10 gallon tank (about 3 4 bubbles per minute) but a simple mixture of baker's yeast, sugar, and water gets me twice that and lasts just as long (2-3 weeks). Most people aim for 15 25 ppm or so (but no higher).

In any case, if you have adequate light (2.5 watts per gallon or more), your plants will benefit from CO2 injection and Hagen's system does what it advertises.

One tip: buy a simple air valve for the tubing so you don't get a siphoning mess when you're re-filling the CO2 cansiter.

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This product works well, producing CO2 relatively easily and cheaply compared to having a pressurized CO2 canister and regulator (etc.) high-tech set-up. Be sure to educate yourself about CO2 in fish tanks. It's good for plants, but too much could be bad for fish. For example, I operate an airstone when lights are out at night only. This diffuses the CO2, which is not needed by plants in the dark, and plants are not producing oxygen in the dark. (Put air pump and airstone on a timer.) You need to learn the basics of CO2 injection, even for this simple system. If you do, you will have no problems, only great plants.

I have only small fish (under 3 inches) in my 55 gal planted tank. Not one fish has ever suffered as a result of CO-2 fertilization, but the plants grow much, much better!

I see no reason why a DIY yeast+baking powder solution would not work -will be going to this. For the price, you get all you need to get started, to make your plants look great!

Update: In the years since I wrote this, I have lost a couple small fish (which are typical of planted tanks) getting trapped between the diffuser and the glass. Over time, the rubber suction cups fail. That solved the problem for me fish can no longer get trapped in that small space. I now use plants of other times in tank to secure the diffuser into proper position. Still like the product, been using it for years. CO-2 is a big help with the plants, which help control nitrates, add beauty, make fish happier.

Update 2 (2012): I would still recommend this product for anyone starting out with CO2 to stimulate a planted aquarium it works! I still use the container that comes with this kit to generate CO2 with sugar, yeast, baking powder, and water. Don't bother with Hagen's expensive powders they are just yeast in one, and baking powder (not baking soda) in the other. Get it at the grocery store. One container of each will last for years, cheap! The CO2 generator in this kit seals well better I imagine than a DIY soda bottle with silicon would. But I no longer use "the ladder" CO2 diffuser that came with this kit. It did work well for years, other than a few fish trapped behind (usually during a water change hiding). Now, I am experimenting with a glass and ceramic disc diffuser, which works well, and Fluval (Hagen) ceramic disc in round plastic diffuser which is working well as also. Just plug into the airtube, wait 12-24 hours (for pressure to build) and they work great! Be sure to learn the basic of CO-2 injection in aquaria. Co-2 should lower the pH gradually, so you need to be sure your water has adequate buffering agents as well as watching the pH to ensure it doesn't get too low. A cheap easy way to increase buffering capacity and pH is Baking Soda (Sodium BiCarbonate). When adding it, do so slowly and gradually (not too much in one day) to avoid sickening the fish. I use Mardel 5-in-1 test strips, but have some way to test Nitrite, Nitrate, Buffering Capacity, and pH of the tank water.

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I have had the Nutrafin system for a few months now. I used the included Activator/Stabilizer packets for the first 3 months,

then switched to molasses based sugar and yeast.

Some observations:

The ladder style CO2 diffuser really works well. Evidence of

this is the size of the CO2 bubble that is introduced into

the diffuser at the bottom compared to the size of the bubble

that comes out at the top. The bubble becomes an order of

magnitude smaller as it traverses the diffuserwhich is another

way of saying that CO2 is getting dissolved in the water. When

it is first introduced to a new aquarium, this observation alone could verify that it is working.

For anyone expecting quick results, it took about 15 days before

my plants showed "pearling" and about another week (around 21-22

days) before I saw the promised lush green plant growth. (Note

that I have 2.5 watts per gallon of light for 10 hours a day and

use Seachem Flourish once a week.)

There is no easy way to turn off CO2 diffusion with the system.

Once the lights turn off and unless the water is sufficiently buffered, pH can be dramatically and dangerously reduced. Start

with buffered, neutral water and after 3 weeks it may have turned

slightly acidicwhich is an ideal environment for many aquatic

plants.

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I have used this system for two years. It works pretty well. Hagen's yeast and 'stabilizer' last about a month in the winter, 2-3 weeks in summer, when the yeast seems to burn off quicker. I did once lose a fish that got trapped in the diffuser, but that fish had been looking unhealthy (inactive, not feeding) anyway. You can use bread yeast and baking soda instead of Hagen's expensive yeast, but it doesn't last as long.

The important thing is that CO2 is released into the tank and the plants look healthy. I don't bother to test my PH in my 20 gallon tank, so I don't know the effect on acidity..

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Python No Spill Clean and Fill Aquarium Maintenance System, 50-Feet

No more buckets, need I say more?? It vaccums and fills, and was very easy to install (took about 5 min to set up)! Filled my 30 gal tank in just a couple minutes. Now my buckets are used for washing the car.

I originally owned the 25 foot model and loved it we moved and I needed the 50 foot model. Cleaning our 150 gallon aquarium (36" height) is a breeze with this thing, and nary a drop of water hits the floor. I can't imagine changing the water using any other method. When we first got our aquarium the Python system was recommended to us, and I would pass the same recommendation on to any other aquarium owner/enthusiast. Buy it. Buy it now.

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I bought this as a replacement for another No Spill Clean and Fill that I purchased in 2002. The hose had split because of a kink in the hose that resulted from storage. The negative about this product is that it is very difficult to store. After awhile, no matter how much you unravel the hose, it will kink and be extremely difficult to roll back up. Still, the hose lasted 4 years, which makes it a decent investment.

In terms of water changes, it really depends on the size of your tanks. I have a 50 gallon, and it helps to use the Python for large water changes. *Frequent* water changes, which are supposed to increase as a result of using this product (according to Python themselves), aren't really that frequent because like I said above, it's a pain to unroll and roll back up. I would say that for anything less than 50 gallons, it's probably easier to bring out the bucket and siphon.

Overall, this is a good product. I just wish there was an easier way to store the thing.

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The Python does everything it says that it will do and does it well. Unfortunately the connections are made of cheap plastic and will crack and break if you even slightly over-tighten them.

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No cheap china construction. Melnor valves and high durability hose. I have 4 large koi in a 75 gallon tank, the water needs to be changed often. I use this twice a week to drain off 1/4 of the water and replenish it. Note that if you are not on a well, you have to add the appropirate amount of de toxifier manually. Prime works best.

The cylander is great for cleaing gravel, and the hose attachments are firm.

The key here is gravity, for best results you have to have a water source below the level of the tank. Out the window or in my case out the sliding glass door to a spigot outside the garage.

You twist the bottom of the spigot connector to shift from siphon to pump.

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New Life Spectrum Extra Large Fish 2240g

This is some GOOD stuff people! I feed this mainly to my arrowana and flowerhorn, but my other larger fish like to steal it from my aro (flowerhorn has it's own tank). With all my other silver arrowanas, through improper diet they developed drop eye, got sick, and just wasn't as healthy as they should be. A year to a year and a half ago I got a new silver arrowana. I fed him NLS since he was a few inches till now at around 20+ inches. He has no drop eye and still loves his NLS pellets! Before that I used to feed live food (they died early and looked crappy/raggedy), then moved to hikari carnivore sticks. With the carnivore sticks it wasn't much better than the live feeders as they started to have health problems, still developed drop eye, and after a while really didn't appreciate the food that much. The NLS is awesome and he attacks the food with the gusto that he did since day one (he hits it like he is hitting live prey!). He is active and not lazy like the ones I raised on hikari and/or live foods, and just one happy aro! The flowerhorn fed on NLS is a BEAST with beautiful vibrant colors, a really feisty personality, and a HUGE head! I wish they made a larger floating pellet. The NLS megafish formula is 10mm but sinking which would give the arrowana's tankmates an easier time to steal his pellets. I like the size and would use the megafish formula but is is more expensive for less product even in bulk...Get some NLS it it's the BEST out there.

Mighty Massive Rabbit Dog Toy, Brown

The manufacturer brags about how the product is made. Oh the attention they pay to the construction of the seams. How they protect them. I gave the toy to my German Shorthair Pointer. One head shake of the toy and stuffing was showing Upon inspection, the seam attaching a front leg to the body had already failed. It is a simple single stitched seam. Wow, what ordinary construction. What a weak seam. And on top of that upon further inspection the thread did not really break. The seam failed due to poor workmanship. These are dog toys intended for larger dogs, I suggest the manufacturer actually watch a variety of dogs play with them. This is not rocket science.

Bought the pig Mighty Massive Piglet Dog Toy and a rabbit from a local Costco for my two destructive chewers. My Pug and Pomeranian usually destroys most toys within a day or two due to their tug of war and sharp teeth. These have no tears or rips into the material anywhere so far.

Pros

Very solidly made. Stitching feels reinforced like advertised to withstand their tugging

Except for the ears most parts are sewn into the main animal so it will be less likely to be ripped off in sections.

Fur on fabric is a good material that it doesn't come off when rubbed or scratched like some other toys.

Cons

Heavy hard for them to carry far (might be better for larger dogs with bigger mouths)

Squeaker is at an awkward place so humans and dogs have a hard time getting it to squeak.

I would not buy if paying amazon pricing, but at the deal found at costco it would be better than any other toy from the pet shop for that same price.

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Our 20 pound corgi ripped the teeth off within five minutes and that was where she started pulling the stuffing out. It's been less than an hour and there's stuffing all over the room and she ripped the hair off its back too.

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Como Aquarium Artificial Duckweed Floating Plastic Green White Plant

They are rather large so they are best suited for a larger tank. We're not talking about a Beta tank, here. 5 gallons at least.

They are made of stiff plastic and will most likely come to you with their white tendrils flattened, so they need bending.

It's a cool idea for larger tanks but they are a bit sharp and you would need about two orders to have a nice display in a 10-15 gallon tank.

I bought this to go in my betta 1 gallon tank. It is just enough to cover 1/3 of the surface area so not to interferer with feeding.I have a live Java fern and Java moss in the tank also. I like the shadows this adds to the tank. I am going to buy more for my 2 1/2 gallon tank. I have bought real giant duckweed but don't have enough light for its survival.

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Very cheesy. I thought I would use these in my tank with other live plants but they looked terrible. Most of them don't float correctly and they get caught up on decorations. I wouldn't purchase them again.

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Nutrafin Betta Plus, 4 Ounces

My betta is a happy boy this water conditioner is great. I bought it to replace a different conditioner and he has made bubble nest after bubble nest once I started putting this in the water.

For those of you who are new to betta care (or who think it is okay to keep them in a goldfish bowl), please remember that, although these are hardy fish, they are healthiest and happiest in at least 5 gallons of water (properly conditioned with something like this Nutrafin product) that is heated to around 78 degrees and is cleaned regularly (a 50% water change every week or so is great).

This is the absolute best water softener for my bettas!!!! I have two betas; one male, and one female. They each have a five gallon aquarium, and I change their water every five days. This water conditioner is by far the best one for them. We have very hard, well water here on Camp Pendleton, and when our local store ran out of this I tried another brand. My poor fish got very sick. I had to do two rounds of serious antibiotics to clear them up, and I was very worried for them. This brought them back with the antibiotics, and water changes every three days. They truly are the healthiest with this, and it has the almond leaf extract in it, which bettas need! I cannot say enough about this product. I cannot find this larger size in my local store, just the smaller one, and with two five gallons, every five days, I go through a lot of it! My local store also is almost always out of it. It flies off the shelf! I love that Amazon carries this bigger size, thank you!!!!

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My betta tank only stayed clean for 2 days after using this product. I got a slime on the sides of it that the other product didn't leave behind. Not sure what I did wrong???

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This product is a reliable and safe conditioner for betta fish that provides a bit of tropical almond leaf extract (often used in Thailand by betta breeders). The extract contains tannins, which in the bettas' natural environment leach into freshwater from fallen leaves, helping adjust the quality and PH of the water to the bettas' advantage, especially helping to promote male bubble nesting. The quantities in this formulation are very small, however, so do not purchase this just for the almond leaf extract. (You can purchase actual imported tropical almond leaves for bettas online at fish supply stores and Amazon). However, if you want a good water conditioner for a small number of bettas that is formulated for their needs, this is it! If you have many fish, then you may want a product that comes in a larger size.

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My beta is having a blast in his water, I don't know but something to do with the almond in this product made my fish very comfortable. I don't suffer any more with the cloudy water after a few days

Double Bright Strip Fluorescent Aquarium Light

The unit arrived warped. It still worked and I decided to keep it because it might be the best that I could do.

Works as expected! Using it over a 50 gallon aquarium to root plants! Working like a charm hoyas are rooted and one is now in bud! Will leave the aquarium set up with the light and use for those hoyas requiring a little humidity.

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