CO2 without a regulator?

[norm3000]

I'm interested in adding a CO2 systems to my tank but I'm trying to do it as cheap as possible. I've already got a very large CO2 tank (was going to make a beer fridge at one time) but I don't want to drop $100 on a regulator and valve. Anyone know if I can just put a needle valve on it without a regulator?

 

[ChicoRaton]

it comes out of the bottle between 900 and 1,000 ounds per square inch, soooo... no. it's hard enough to regulate the flow of 15 psi with a needle valve. you don't need to spend that much. check out www.plantguild.com and www.glass-gardens.com

 

[norm3000]

Thanks for the info Chico!

One more question in regards to CO2. How necessary is it to have a system to turn off the CO2 at night? I've read else where that in lieu of turning off the CO2, you could just turn on an air bubbler. This would supposedly pull the CO2 out of the water and put Oxygen in thus taking care of any PH problems that CO2 at night would usually cause?

Any thoughts?

 

[ChicoRaton]

well here's my co2 setup: pressurized with a 5 lb tank, reg, needle valve, into a diy power reactor at 1 bubble per second, 24 hours a day, on a 55 gal. You don't HAVE to shut it off at night, but I'm not pushing the limits of the co2 levels in my tank, it's between 15 and 20 ppm usually. Start out really slow, like a bubble ever 2/3 seconds, and test the water right after the light come on in the morning until you fond the rate that gives you about 20ppm at lights on. The amount of co2 used by the plants is actually very little compared to the amount that gasses off unless you have super high light on a tank STUFFED with plants.

 

[bobalston]

Yes, you need a regulator. And NO you don't need to spend anywhere near $100 for one. Just stay away from the all-in-one regulators that have more than you need included.

Take a look at my web site for info on low cost regulators

http://members.cox.net/tulsaalstons/AquaticPlants.htm#High Pressure CO2

Bob

 

[daveedka]

Thanks for the info Chico!

One more question in regards to CO2. How necessary is it to have a system to turn off the CO2 at night? I've read else where that in lieu of turning off the CO2, you could just turn on an air bubbler. This would supposedly pull the CO2 out of the water and put Oxygen in thus taking care of any PH problems that CO2 at night would usually cause?

Any thoughts?

I researched this pretty extensively a while back, and you can run the CO2 24 hours a day without issue as long as the levels aren't too high as Chico said. DIY co2 can't really be shut off, so the only problem with leaving pressurized systems on would be too much co2 if it wasn't regulated properly.
dave

 

[125gJoe]

.... One more question in regards to CO2. How necessary is it to have a system to turn off the CO2 at night? ..... ....

It's not necessary, but you will double the time between re-fills of the CO2 tank. A timer and solenoid controls the on/off periods.

 

[ChicoRaton]

You'd also cause more ph fluctuation. I'm fine refilling my tank every 4 months compared to 8 months if it keeps my tank more stable. The amount of co2 that gasses off is a lot more than that used by the plants. I haven't conducted a formal experiment, but from messing around with bubble rates, that's the conclusion I came to.