75 gallon Planted Office Tank Journal
- Thread starter geekpryde
- Start date
I bought a power head that I think is just too big. This thing is freaking huge!
Reactor:
Next up, co2 regulator shots....
I am about to connect the regulator to the 10lbs of co2 I purchased last week. Since I have never done this, I am following instructions found on this website:
http://www.rexgrigg.com/regset.html
Co2 regulator detail shots.
http://www.rexgrigg.com/regset.html
Co2 regulator detail shots.
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I think I have co2 setup correctly, and if I crank it up, I am definately getting something out of the reactor, but I have no idead how MUCH co2 I am putting into the water. I have the indicator in the tank, but I think there is a 10 min delay between when the co2 level is read accurately by the color of the indicator solution. I did not initially purchase a bubble counter, but I think that I need to get one ASAP so I dont go crazy wondering if the reactor 500 is mixing co2 into the water or not.
Also, I added the hydor koralia 750 to the tank, and the thing is just amazingly huge. Do you think I bought too large a model? The flow is not insane, but I dont know how much current is good or bad for my cherry barbs.
Please chime in people!
Also, I added the hydor koralia 750 to the tank, and the thing is just amazingly huge. Do you think I bought too large a model? The flow is not insane, but I dont know how much current is good or bad for my cherry barbs.
Please chime in people!
Here are pictures from the installation of the co2 regulator, reactor, indicator, and check valve.
This is the washer that came with my regulator. I have no idea if this looks normal, it was very hard white plastic.
Installed where I think it should go.
I like it tight! :evil_lol:
I really dont know how to do this, but much like legos, all the peices are going togeather.
I have posted ALOT of photos today, you may want to go back a few pages and review. More are going to be coming. :nutkick:
This is the washer that came with my regulator. I have no idea if this looks normal, it was very hard white plastic.
Installed where I think it should go.
I like it tight! :evil_lol:
I really dont know how to do this, but much like legos, all the peices are going togeather.
I have posted ALOT of photos today, you may want to go back a few pages and review. More are going to be coming. :nutkick:
My GH is 80 mg/L (PPM). According to my instructions, this is "slightly hard"
My KH is 50 mg/L (PPM). According to my instructions, this is "normally associated with a low pH"
Hmm...what does it all mean?
So, I think I have a low buffer capacity. I may need to look into buffing this water with calcium carbonate.... :irked:
My KH is 50 mg/L (PPM). According to my instructions, this is "normally associated with a low pH"
Hmm...what does it all mean?
So, I think I have a low buffer capacity. I may need to look into buffing this water with calcium carbonate.... :irked:
nguyendetecting
"Swim along with the snorks"
coming along nicely! how do you the reactor? I've been looking for one on ebay the past few days. Seems to come in kits only. You could disconnect the reactor and tune in your bubbles per minute. Then stick it back on the reactor or you can always make ur own counter.
Looks like it's coming together. I can't wait to see plants and fish!
If you don't have a bubble counter just unplug the line from the reactor, have someone hold it in the tank, and adjust your needle valve to 3 - 4 bubbles per second. No need to ever adjust it again since you have the pH monitor and solenoid.
Personally I'm not a fan of the Red Sea 500 reactor. I'm sure it'll work out for you, but I found it to be underpowered, kind of difficult to clean, and as a bonus defect it starts to "rattle" as gas builds up inside the chamber making an extremely loud buzzing sound. I ditched mine for an Aqua Medic spiral reactor and separate powerhead.
If you don't have a bubble counter just unplug the line from the reactor, have someone hold it in the tank, and adjust your needle valve to 3 - 4 bubbles per second. No need to ever adjust it again since you have the pH monitor and solenoid.
Personally I'm not a fan of the Red Sea 500 reactor. I'm sure it'll work out for you, but I found it to be underpowered, kind of difficult to clean, and as a bonus defect it starts to "rattle" as gas builds up inside the chamber making an extremely loud buzzing sound. I ditched mine for an Aqua Medic spiral reactor and separate powerhead.
Good to know. I will also ditch it if it does not work out. I am checking bubbles per your method now.
Also, I actually dont have a pH monitor, I do have indicator solution, is that what you meant?
I received a shipment of dry fertz today from Green Leaf. I will post pictures tomorrow. I Also did as Quartermain suggested, and I now have what I think is the correct bubble rate, plus the reactor 500 seems to be happier now as well. I am waiting for indicator solution to tell me I have done this correct/incorrect. I dont want to come in tomorrow and have a bunch of dead fish.
