Took the plunge: Pressurized CO2

[Native American]

Well, I did it. I found a pair of Milwaukee MA957 regulators w/ gauges & JBJ bubble counters for $68 each, new-in-box. I think it was an internet pricing error, as I have not found them again for anywhere near this price.

Bought a pair of new 10-lb. CO2 cylinders from aquariumplants.com. $69.99 each w/ a Sherwood valve...pretty much a standard welding bottle valve, which is good. The hydrostatic test date is September of this year...these are fresh out of the factory, so I have 5 good years of usage before I have to get them tested again. Beware of used bottles, as they may be well overdue, and you can't get them filled until they pass test.

Got them filled at a nearby welding shop for $8.90 for 10 lbs. of CO2 per tank. Man, they sure got a lot heavier than 10 lbs...seems like I got a "bonus fill".

Just finished installing the system on my 38gal tank, with a feed into the HOT Magnum inlet strainer, starting at 1 bubble per 4 seconds. The filter's impeller is doing a great job of dissolving the CO2.

Still installing the second one on the 100gal tank. I decided to get a pair of JBJ bubble counters w/ integrated check valves, and put these on a dual manifold with needle valves. Just have to get a 1/8" NPT brass nipple w/ a 2" close ('close' is the length of pipe spacing between the threads) connected to a 90-deg ell and a 90-deg street ell to lower the manifold & bubble counters enough to fit into my undertank cabinet.

This dual-feed setup on my 100gal tank will have one inlet into each Magnum 350 canister. As low-tech as the Marineland Magnum 350 is, it is almost immune to cavitation, and does a great job of dissolving CO2.

Going to the welding store today to get some O-rings to seal off the bubble counters against the new manifold.

Total outlay for all brand new gear for the 38gal aquarium: $146.89. About $50 more than this for the 100gal, since I got new bubble counters and that manifolding, plus the 1/8" brass plumbing fittings.

No more sugar and yeast (except for homebrew next summer)....yee-ha!

v/r, N-A

[Aussie_hippie_2]

You should take before and after pics of them. I'm very interested in the difference it will make.

I couldn't understand a word you said other then you know what you're doing :rolleyes:

[Native American]

That's a good idea...I should have done this before I started DIY CO2, because the difference with just sugar and baker's yeast was dramatic. It was the first time I actually had to trim plants.

I went with pressurized CO2 just to avoid the hassles of mixing a new fermentation batch every 3 to 4 weeks. I'll take some pics just to see if it helps; it just might!

v/r, N-A

[epicfish]

Yep. My setup was about $160 or there abouts for used equipment and a three-way manifold with 3 JBJ bubble counters going to my two 10 gallon tanks and a 7 gallon cube shrimp tank. =)

Well worth the money.

[Mgamer20o0]

thats the first thing i said no more diy co2. its really worth it in the long run if you want to do plants. knowing i can turn it on and almost forget about it is great. i also went with the bigger tanks in hope i only have to get it refilled every year or so.

[cyborob]

Congrats on the new setups!

[jennfier]

Where is this internet pricing error ?? I'm trying to start pressurized Co2 too. Would really help me with my setup costs. I already invested in AH supply lights, canister filters and bags of eco complete. I don't have much money left. :)