pressurized co2 for multiple tanks

reality

reality

New Mexico Space Port - 2007
Aug 20, 2005
67
0
6
48
albuquerque, nm
I've decided it's time to stop farting around with DIY CO2 and get a real setup, I'm running 3 tanks, a 125 gallon, 65 and a 18g tall. currently the 65 and 18 are planted, I blew out 2 of my light ballasts on the 125 so there's no plants in there yet but I'll be rebuilding the lighting soon. so I'd really like to be able to have one co2 tank under the 125 and run lines to these other tanks about 20-30 ft away.
questions:

what kind of hose/tubing should I use for a 20-30' run.
who has the cheapest co2 setup? I found this during my brief searching http://www.aquariumplants.com/product_p/pr333.htm (any good?)

I'm guessing that I'd need some type of manifold w/individual pin valves, any particular brands/models that are the best?

any and all help greatly appreciated
 
I run three tanks off of the manifolds that Aquariumplants.com sell. They are a bit pricey, but excellent quality and very easy to control. I run long runs with silicone tubing, and haven't seen any real problems in a year. So at this point I plan to just keep using the silicone airline tubing. Mine run 24/7 as I don't have a solenoid, and I've recently switched ti ceramic diffusers which are currently doing a good job, but are also too new for me to endorse at this point.
Dave
 
Check some of DJlens old posts and you will find some good sources of cheap tanks. As far as regulators are concerned, either pay good money and get a good quality regulator with a good quality needle valve (very important) or get a JBJ or a Milwaukee and a Pinpoint pH controller. Yes, I learned the hard way on this one.

I have used plastic brake line tubing with great sucsess for about three years now. It is reasonably priced, CO2 resistant, black in colour, will take huge pressures, comes in long stretches, and can be used with the plastic fittings that airline tubing uses.
 
Matak, do you have a favorite brand/make/model (link)? I've seen regulators all over the place ranging from $30 - $500+, is a solenoid needed? or is this just used to be able to put the co2 on a timer to shut off at night?
 
Co2

I just got the JBJ on e-bay. It comes with all the goodies including the electric shut off solenoid. Works real well. I use a submersabile Hagen Eclipse Mini-Filter for a defusser. It has a 360' direction capability and an air line inlet on the outlet deflector. The filter is designed for a 3 gallon tank. I have the little filter on the same timer as the lights and the CO2 regulator solenoid. The brake line (above) sounds like a great idea to me. The silicone tubing is CO2 permiable and over time it looses more and more CO2. The CO2 delivery rate to the tank(s) decreases over time.
 
well I think I'm going to go with the Milwaukee, I'm also going to order some plants from there so hopefully it'll save a bit on shipping.
vic21 said:
The silicone tubing is CO2 permiable and over time it looses more and more CO2. The CO2 delivery rate to the tank(s) decreases over time.
Click to expand...
I was just going to ask about this, I've noticed that some of the silicon tubing that I've used in my diy setup seemed to fall apart after a month or so, could be just cheap tubing though. I'll look around and see if I can find a spool of the break line tubing.

are there any special considerations when I get this setup to all the tanks, or is it just straight run from the manifold/pin valve/bubble counter to the reactor for each tank?
thanks everyone
 
reality said:
well I think I'm going to go with the Milwaukee, I'm also going to order some plants from there so hopefully it'll save a bit on shipping.

I was just going to ask about this, I've noticed that some of the silicon tubing that I've used in my diy setup seemed to fall apart after a month or so, could be just cheap tubing though. I'll look around and see if I can find a spool of the break line tubing.

are there any special considerations when I get this setup to all the tanks, or is it just straight run from the manifold/pin valve/bubble counter to the reactor for each tank?
thanks everyone
Click to expand...
I don't know. I have not tried the manifold thing. If the lines are all different lengths I expect it will be a bit difficult to regulate the flow in each tank with just one needle valve. You may need a needle valve for each tank. That brings up the issue of pressure. The silicone air line tubing will not likely stand the pressure directly off the regulator so you will have to go to the brake line hose to deal with the pressure.

Cheers;
 
reality said:
well I think I'm going to go with the Milwaukee, I'm also going to order some plants from there so hopefully it'll save a bit on shipping...
Click to expand...
If you do, then please take my advise and get the Pinpoint pH controller. It's only $80 US and it will save your fish from an ugly CO2 death. Plus it will save you some money over time on CO2.
 
vic21 said:
I don't know. I have not tried the manifold thing. If the lines are all different lengths I expect it will be a bit difficult to regulate the flow in each tank with just one needle valve. You may need a needle valve for each tank. That brings up the issue of pressure. The silicone air line tubing will not likely stand the pressure directly off the regulator so you will have to go to the brake line hose to deal with the pressure.

Cheers;
Click to expand...

ya I'm definitely going to have an individual needle valve for each tank run, not going to try to send out the same amount of co2 to all the tanks. I was thinking about having some sort of valve on the aquarium side but don't want to risk building up pressure in the lines.

I'm going to have to wait a bit for the ph controller, but I'll get that when I get the co2 tank. I still need to find the tubing, the fittings and build the reactors. then I get to punch holes in the walls :)
 
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Matak said:
Check some of DJlens old posts and you will find some good sources of cheap tanks. As far as regulators are concerned, either pay good money and get a good quality regulator with a good quality needle valve (very important) or get a JBJ or a Milwaukee and a Pinpoint pH controller. Yes, I learned the hard way on this one.

I have used plastic brake line tubing with great sucsess for about three years now. It is reasonably priced, CO2 resistant, black in colour, will take huge pressures, comes in long stretches, and can be used with the plastic fittings that airline tubing uses.
Click to expand...
Have you heard anything about the regulator that aquariumplants.com sells themselves? They offer a 3 year bumper to bumper warranty. I called them and they told me that Milwaulkee and JBJ were cheap crap and I should buy theirs. I am not sure what to believe. But I could get the Milwaulkee and a ph controler for only $20 more than the aquariumplants regulator costs. Does anyone have an opinion about this? I am not sure what to do.
 
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