CO2 help please.

[aquatix02]

for a cheaper alternative you might want to try Hagen's new Nutrafin Natural CO2 system which is stated on the box work for tanks up to 180 litres and help to lower the pH.

it has gotten a good review from Practical Fishkeeping magazine in the UK as a good product with value for money. it costs only a small fraction of larger canister-type CO2 systems like the Dupla. but don't expect it to match the performance... but for a smaller tank like an 80 litre... it may just be enough. maintenance is also cheap as it relies on natural ingredients...

 

[Richer]

Pressurized is cheaper in the long run... it simply cannot be argued. A CO2 tank refill for a 5 pound tank here costs 10 dollars CDN (more or less), whereas a Hagen refill pack costs roughly 9 dollars CDN, plus you need to factor in the amount of sugar that needs to be added to the system. Granted the refill comes with 3 packages (good for maybe 3 months). However, the CO2 tank will last beyond 3 months... at 2 bubbles at a second, my 5 pound tank lasted for 4-5 months, including experimenting time (in which I accidently dumped a large load of CO2 into my tank). Pressurized systems work for all sized tanks, can be branched off to work on multiple tanks, and require minimal maintenance after the initial break in period. Just screw the regulator off, refill, screw the regulator back on and open the valve. Hagen's system requires cleaning, filling of sugar, and filling of the refill packages, and only works on small tanks (under 30 gallons). Once you get into the higher tanks, you'll need multiple Hagen setups, and it does get expensive to maintain in the long run. If you want to try out Hagen's CO2 system, try out DIY first. Its not hard to do, and the results are essentially the same. Don't get me wrong, I think its great that a large company is finally promoting CO2 usage, but I think there are cheaper ways of getting CO2.

Needed in all CO2 systems:

X feet of silicon (or CO2 resistant) tubing
1 - reactor of some sort (if you want more info on reactors, just ask)
1 - pH testing kit
1 - KH testing kit
this table

Checklist for a pressurized system:

1 - double guage CO2 regulator
1 - needle (or metering) valve (get it to be as precise as you can afford)
1 - CO2 tank

Optional:
1- solenoid
1- bubble counter (Not needed, since pH and KH levels can tell you exactly what CO2 concentrations you have)
1 - check valve (not needed since needle valves also act as a check valve)
1 - CO2 indicator (pH and KH testers will do just the same if not a better job at telling you your CO2 levels. I'm not too sure on how accurate these things really are).

HTH
-Richer

 

[karfixer]

Whatever cylinder you end up using, securing it to the wall studs with steel straps should be considered a must. You are mistaken if you think an aluminum tank will not go through your walls,floors ect. If you break the top regulator off with a full tank IT WILL HAPPEN. The steel tank is stronger, the aluminum more corrosion resistant. I think your remark about the Columbia is more than a little out of line- a Co2 tank isn't even remotely as hazerdous as space travel.