CO2 Bubble Count

H

hforney

AC Members
Nov 24, 2004
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I am finishing up my installation of a CO2 Injection System.

Milwaulkee Regulator
Milwaulkee SMS 122 ph controller
Aqua Medic 1000 Reactor

1) What "Bubble Count" should I adjust my needle valve for?

2) When calibrating the ph controller should I float the solution in the package in the tank to obtain the tank temperature?

3)What tank pressure should I refill my tank?

Thanks........

A month ago I had no idea what a CO2 injection system was. I received so much information from people on this board that the process was dramatically simplified!
 
1)Start out with one bubble per 3 seconds. You will most likely have to adjust it to 1/sec (or so) later to get the desired pH.

2)They should be the same temp. As long as there are no holes in the package (I know this is obvious but you'd be surprised...).

3) :confused: Do you mean what pressure should you have going out of the CO2 tank? Depends on who you ask. 5-20 lbs is what I've seen posted. I run between 12-15 lbs. The less pressure in the line, the less likely your lines will leak at seams. If the pressure is too low, you won't have enough to push the bubbles out of the other end if you happen to have a deep tank and the end is down near the bottom of the tank (you have to overcome the water pressure). If you meant how much pressure to actually refill the CO2 tank...? My 5lber reads 800lbs when full.
HTH
 
#3 - I am trying to ask at what tank pressure will I need to take the tank somewhere to get it refilled. I might have made a mistake in purchasing the tank. I bought a tank online, filled and delivered. Since then I found out I should have tried a welding shop. If I had of purchased from a welding shop I should not have any time come refilling it. A few posters claim some shop won't refill a tank they didn't sell and some posters claim some shops only do a trade off. Well, I will worry about that later. If the tank comes filled at 800 psi at what tank pressure should I know it is time to refill.

Thanks about the info on setting the working pressure gauge to 12 - 15 psi. I have everything set-up to go. Just have to wait a day or two for the CO2 tank to be delivered.

One more thing, is a check valve necessary between the bubble counter and the reactor?
 
Are you sure the tank is being delivered full of CO2? I didn't think shippers would handle a full tank.

No, the check valve isn't necessary between the reactor and bubble counter.

Most shops will take your $ and refill the tank. The problem lies in pressure testing the tank. The tank has to be pressure tested every so many years. You may have to pay for that when the time comes. It may have been cheaper to buy the tank from a local shop and swap it for a new full one when the time comes, but I've never heard of a vendor turning down money. Just make a phone call and ask. At least then you'll know. ;)
 
Are you sure the tank is being delivered full of CO2? I didn't think shippers would handle a full tank.

Yes, I am positive the tank is full of CO2. I was very patient setting up my tank but when I got towards the end I couldn't wait for the finishing touches. I realize it cost me a few extra bucks on my CO2 purchase but overall I was extremely patient researching and adding fish. It ended up costing me $119 for a new 5lb aluminum tank filled with CO2 delivered to my door. At that time it seemed cheaper than running all over town. Had I known to check a local welding shop sooner I would not have ordered it online. I had looked for CO2 for over a week locally and could not find any. So I ordered online and a few days later someone on this forum told me to try the welding shops.
 
beviking, I took a look at the photos of your planted tank. Wow! I sure hope I can get something close to that. I just think live plants do so much for a tank. The fish seem to swim around with a smile on their face. Great job!
 
beviking, I will take your 30g spare plant tank in a minute. You sure have some beautiful tanks.
 
I looked at a lot of your planted tank photos. I am a newbie, as you probably know. I have been an outdoor gardener for many years with great success. You have a very low growing plant on the left side of the tank. To an outdoor gardener it looks like clover, a ground cover. I hope you know which plant I am talking about. It looks no taller than a half inch. What is it? Will it also grow as an outdoor plant and perform as a ground cover? I want to finish my tank so that you can not see one pebble of gravel.
 
Sorry been busy...sent a message to your p.m. box too but here's the jist of it...
yes, the plant is glossostigma or commonly refered to as glosso. It is considered a high demanding plant (high light and/or CO2) but I've had luck (in other tanks, the pics of the tank you saw has CO2 injection, med. lighting) with med. lighting only (2 wpg). It doesn't grow very fast at lower light levels and/or without CO2. If the lighting is too low, it will shoot up off the bottom. I've had some grow up 6-8 inches while battling green water. There's plenty of info on it. It will not grow outside, unless its underwater
You may also consider marsilea (quadrifolia or minuta). Apperently they look the same but are less demanding. Here is one place that has it...
http://www.floridadriftwood.com/store.asp
I've yet to try marsilea so can't offer advice on it.

HTH
Bill

Thanks for the comments, they're no prize winning tanks, but they're mine!
 
Thanks a million beviking. I looked at the website and saw just what I wanted. It is also nicknamed aquatic clover. I will be placing my order today. Thanks again for all the info.

I have a 2x65 pc light fixture and the CO2 injection should be up and running in a day or two. I hope things will go well, if not I will try again.

Thanks again!
 
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