Reddit mentions of Estink DIY CO2 Generator Aquarium Plant System Kit D201 Tube Valve Guage Bottle Cap for Aquarium Moss Plant

Yeah co2 can cost up to 200 or so for a proper setup, depending on size and quality. I just got co2 running on my 30gallon for incredibly cheap though. Look up the citric acid and baking soda co2 method. It’s incredibly cheap, pretty easy, and it’s just as reliable. I’ll send you an amazon link to the equipment I’m using, gimme a sec to update this comment

Edit: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NCXOPKP?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Here’s the main part of the setup. All you need are powdered citric acid and baking soda(I bought it at Walmart, but there are much better deals on amazon) and two bottles(I used 1L coke bottles). Then you just need the usual diffuser and check valve. I bought the tropica 3-in-1 diffuser which works pretty well, but it’s not great. Certainly worth the cheap price though.

Over all, I paid around $30 for the whole setup

TBH I’ve been doing aquascaping for several years. This is the first time I’ve managed to successfully get the carpet and hair grass.

Here are a few pointers and pitfalls:

Pointer:
Use a soft, nutrient dense substrate. I use aquasolum black humate (a Seachem product).
Pitfall: Avoid using course gravel like Flourite. It’s too think and heavy which prevents the roots of a carpeting plant like hair grass from being able to spread runners and creating new growth sprouts. This was the single biggest reason all my other carpeting attempts failed. Black sand would work as well. Whatever it is, it needs to be soft enough for roots to be able to spread easily.

Pointer: Use quality lights. I use 2 x Kessill Tuna Sun lights. Those are crazy expensive and may be over your budget. I’m sure there are cheaper options.
Pitfall: Don’t use cheap lights which fail to produce adequate FULL SPECTRUM lighting.

Pointer: Use a filter that moves a lot of water like a canister filter. I use a Fluval 207.
Pointer: Use quality filtration media. The absolute best of the best is this Aquarium Filter Pad - Premium... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AHIOM8A?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Coupled with this

Polishing Filter Pad 100 Micron -... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014G7WTRY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Pointer: Use CO2 injection. I use DIY CO2 and it works fantastically well. I use this
Estink DIY CO2 Generator Aquarium Plant System Kit D201 Tube Valve Guage Bottle Cap for Aquarium Moss Plant https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NCXOPKP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_jHTPDbPFZBQHC
With this
ISTA Intense Flow CO2 Bubble Counter suction cup hanging - aquarium Solenoid diffuser https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RZZROHA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_dKTPDbN38ASP5
With this
JARDLI Pollen Glass CO2 Diffuser with Bubble Counter for Aquarium Planted Tank https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N36MAO4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_1HTPDbHP2BECM
With this
Milliard Citric Acid 5 Pound - 100% Pure Food Grade NON-GMO Project VERIFIED (5 Pound) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EYFKNL8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_uITPDbXA0Q9JE
With this
Arm & Hammer Baking Soda Unscented Box, Boxed 1 Lb. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002YCILXK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_BJTPDb4VRBT2Z

Pointer: Use filtered water preferably from a reverse osmosis water dispenser. I own 4 x 5 gallon jugs which I fill up to use for any and all water changes.

Pointer: keep your water immaculately clean. Like 2 water changes per week which includes cleaning your filter media.

Pointer: don’t let any algae start to build up. I use a toothbrush to brush off algae growth from rocks and plant leaves.

Hope this helps. Happy to answer any other questions!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NCXOPKP/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Buy some citric acid, baking soda, and the appropriate tubing, catch valve, drop checker, and gas diffuser, and you have a solution for $30. The down side is you have to manually manage the CO2 flow if you want to have it turn off in the evening or for pH (CO2 saturation) control.

Using this kit from amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NCXOPKP/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The recipe it comes with uses citric acid and baking soda. Has been working like a charm since I got it in June

I would recommend supplementing your diy setup with this https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01NCXOPKP/?coliid=I28RJL0SHQHUER&colid=JX62JSDG7Z5Y&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it or another product like it. I have a double gatorade bottle setup on my 20g tall and it worked fairly well, alternating refilling a bottle each week. Used 1tsp yeast to 2 cups sugar. However, getting the diy caps (drilling a whole for tubing) to not leak co2 was a pain and now I've got a leak again. I'm not setting it back up until I buy a little rig like this.

​

​

I have this DIY system and it works great (for what it is).

https://www.amazon.com/Generator-Aquarium-Plant-System-Bottle/dp/B01NCXOPKP/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1518152996&sr=8-2&keywords=diy+co2

CO2 levels are definitely not as stable as a pressurized system, so you have to give yourself some headroom so you don't gas your fish.

My pressurized system is a cheap 5lb co2 tank (co2 place exchanges it when I need a refill). My regulator is by Azoo and it works great. The needle valve isn't as precise as some higher end systems, but this is about half the price as a UNS or GLA.

https://www.amazon.com/aquarium-Pressure-Regulator-Magnetic-Valve/dp/B018QQ5SI8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1518153313&sr=8-1&keywords=azoo+regulator