Let’s make "CO2 Shake"

My planted aquarium is 1 week old already. It’s time to introduce carbon dioxide fertilization. People say you will notice a significant difference in the rate of plant growth once you inject CO2 into the water. It is something that I would try here.

Below is the content of Nutratin CO2 Natural System. The fermentation container, basic reagent, stabilizer, activator, suction cups, reactor, tube and container holder.

First, I need to empty this basic reagent into the fermentation container. But by the look of it, it looks like sugar. I think it is sugar, but I don’t dare to taste it. LOL.

Then the sachet of stabilizor goes in which looks like baking soda. And lastly, the activator which looks like yeast (and again, I think it is yeast).

I pour the water in, give it a gentle stir, then I close the container’s cap.

I then assemble the reactor (also acts as bubble counter) into the aquarium.

I hang the fermentation container behind the aquarium, and connect the hose.

Allrite, now I have to wait for 2 to 24 hours before the fermentation process starts. Can’t wait for the first CO2 bubble to come out.

And what’s with the title of making “CO2 shake”? Well. Throughout the process, I feel like I’m making Nescafe Shake. I still remember when I was still a kid, suddenly this Nescafe Shake became a boom, with a very catchy advert in the telly. I can’t recall which year. But what I can recall is – I insisted my mom to get the big jar of Nescafe as they have the shake container free with the big jar.

So to make this nescafe shake, you simply put nescafe, a bit of warm water (to dissolve the nescafe), milk, water and ice into the container, close it, and shake your bon bon. Then drink. LOL. How kids are vulnerable to tv adverts….

Anyhow, for easy future reference, here’s the instruction of the process from the box.

Read the rest of the stories relating to this planted aquarium project:

1. Getting things for pilot try of planted aquarium
2. Setting up planted aquarium (phase 1)
3. Setting up planted aquarium (stranded)
4. Setting up planted aquarium (phase 2)
5. Final goods shopping for this aquarium
6. Experimenting with water temperature
7. Installing CO2 system
8. Fermentation started, CO2 bubbles start flowing in
9. More CO2 bubbles
10. Worrying about pH and excess CO2 over the night
11. Getting aquarium cleaners
12. Getting final fishes for the aquarium
13. Plants trimming