Paper on measuring CO2 in marine plant chambers

Tom Barr

Founder
Staff member
Administrator
Jan 23, 2005
18,702
792
113
Note the time frames, the CO2 changes really fast.

Regards,
Tom Barr
 

Oreo

Guru Class Expert
May 6, 2010
251
0
16
Interesting. So in a nut-shell, they're just using a coil of silicone tubing as a CO2 permeable membrane and measuring the CO2 concentration of the air inside the tubing.

It's a neat idea. Cheapest NDIR CO2 meter I could find was still $170, so considering a small air pump, silicone tubing, non-CO2 permeable tubing (e.g. copper / PVC / Stainless), time involved... we're looking at about ~$200 for a CO2 meter capable of 5-min time resolution.

I may just build one of these. Wouldn't take me much time at all. Now if I hadn't already blown my aquarium budget on upgrading my filtration system... dag-nabit!!
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Tug

Lifetime Charter Member
Lifetime Member
Jan 5, 2009
1,150
9
38
Washington, DC
Thanks for the articles Tom. I'm not quit able to comprehend 90% of them I'm afraid.
Oreo - could the CO2 meter be built inside the CO2 reactor or into a surface skimmer?
 

Gerryd

Plant Guru Team
Lifetime Member
Sep 23, 2007
5,623
22
38
South Florida
Hi,

Now if I hadn't already blown my aquarium budget on upgrading my filtration system... dag-nabit!!

I would consider providing the capital for this experiment.....If it works you just need to build ME one too...

Sad to say, I have spent much more and gotten WAY less lol

I don't have the intelligence or the DIY skills to do it, but I can buy parts and have them shipped to you :)

PM me if interested...
 

Tom Barr

Founder
Staff member
Administrator
Jan 23, 2005
18,702
792
113
Oreo,

You might consider making these for the hobbyists and it would pay well.
We also need to calibrate and confirm the accuracy of the system method once you make one etc.

But if decent, and 5-10minute lag time to +/- 1ppm, you are in business.

Regards,
Tom Barr
 

Oreo

Guru Class Expert
May 6, 2010
251
0
16
I'd consider that. Need to get a prototype built as a proof of concept first. I'm not sure about +/- 1ppm accuracy though. I mean, I'm looking at the least expensive meter on the market. Accuracy will be whatever the meter is capable of.
 

Gerryd

Plant Guru Team
Lifetime Member
Sep 23, 2007
5,623
22
38
South Florida
Oreo,

Pm replied to! Let's buy a quality meter at least....since it is a prototype we may as well see what we can do for a little more $

I have found that sometimes the price between mediocre or decent and really good is not that large percentage wise...
 

Oreo

Guru Class Expert
May 6, 2010
251
0
16
Dutchy, don't get too anxious just yet. If it works & I don't feel like building more, at the very least I'll post a bunch of pictures for anyone else who wants to DIY their own. Of all the complex things I've fabricated I suspect this will be one of the more simple builds.

If other people want me to build one for them we can discuss those arrangements after a successful prototype is completed.
 

Gerryd

Plant Guru Team
Lifetime Member
Sep 23, 2007
5,623
22
38
South Florida
If other people want me to build one for them we can discuss those arrangements after a successful prototype is completed.

I just hope that all those folks will be in line behind me lol

I can see a few folks here going for one...I know I would buy one retail if I could.. $300-600 say doesn't sound bad compared to the $2500 c02 meter Tom uses....

Especially if we can benchmark the results against a meter of this type and they were comparable.....I'd buy one....

Maybe the reef folks would have an interest?
 

Oreo

Guru Class Expert
May 6, 2010
251
0
16
GerryD, since you're financing this project you're entitled to the very first one.

PM incoming...
 

Oreo

Guru Class Expert
May 6, 2010
251
0
16
Update:

Thanks to Gerry I have built a proof-of-concept prototype and tested for function. The bottom line is that the design works but the sensor we used has too low of a measurement range. Gerry & I are still discussing where to go from here. I'll update again when I have more.