Great Looking CO2 System(Inexpensive)

Skittyfish, I went to Home Depot and picked up the small connector parts with no problem. I will be ordering as soon as I can get through to the place by phone. They have a funky answering system, but after the weekend I shouldn't have any problem. Let me know how it works out for you.
Len
 
Len, I got my tank and regulator and the big air line today, ordered the needle valve from Clippard, now I have to find some smaller air line, BigAls has 250 ft for 29.99 but I don't need that much, any ideas on where to pick this up at?

I am planning on making my reactor out of my old python gravel vac (I ordered a new longer one) and sticking it to my Aquaclear 402 powerhead.

Now, what else do I need?
 
They have the air line that he talks about at Home Depot, but it's really stiff(inflexible), so I'm going to use that soft green air line that you can pick up at PetSmart. It's much more impervious to CO2 than regular, clear airline. Don't use the clear stuff.
From what you say, you're all set except you don't mention a disposable airstone(also at PetSmart). It's optional because it does chop up the bubbles even before they enter the power head, but with an airstone you can't count bubbles/per/minute. I'm going to go without the airstone until I get a setting on my needle valve that gives me the steady pH I want. Then I can add the airstone back. Another option is a bubble counter. I plan on starting slow, maybe 1 bubble every 2 seconds and monitoring the pH to see what that gives me. Adjust from there.......
Len
 
We don't have a Petsmart or Petco or Pet anything. Only two LFS's and they neither one have any silicone air line. So I may have to look around.

Also, the needle valve has a 1/8" barb, the airline is 3/16" and the hose that comes with the kit is 1/4"....how many adapters do you think Lowe's carries:rolleyes: . Wish me luck, I am gonna need it.
 
Well Tom Barr, you said I'd eventually do it - so I have. I'm out of the DIY business - too much hassle and not consistent enough. I bought a new aluminum 5lb tank and a regulator for $100 here locally in Lexington area. I'm looking for needle valves now.

Specifically, what is the purpose of a needle valve? Is it a finer adjustment than what the regulator can give?

Where do you all turn your gas off at night - the tank valve or the regulator?
Thanks!
 
The needle valve is a fine adjustment that is the last piece on the line before it goes to the power head or whatever you're using as a reactor. With a needle valve you can fine tune your bubble count down as low as 10 bubbles per minute or less if you desire.
Tom will recommend that you go to www.clippard.com for a needle valve. I know because he has recommended that valve to me on many occasions.
Tom has also told me that a person doesn't need to turn your gas off at night. Some people do, some don't. I've only experienced a drop of .2 pH at most when leaving it on at night. Some people add solenoids to their regulators that will automatically turn off the gas at night, or turn it off manually. Some people run an air stone at night to gas off the CO2 while leaving it run. Your choice......
Len
 
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I am so excited. I got my needle valve. It is MUCH smaller than I thought it would be.

Now, will someone tell me how to put this stuff together?

Tank, regulator, needle valve, bubble counter(diy), reactor(diy w/gravel cleaner and powerhead)? Is that right?
 
Hook the regulator to the tank. Read the instructions that came with the regulator carefully and follow them. Keep everything shut off until the system is all set up to the tank. I left the little air line tubing unattached from the power head so I could test the bubbles coming out to make sure everything was working ok.
The large hose clamps onto the bottom of the regulator, then the parts from home depot(if you got them) to decrease your size down to the small tubing. Then the needle valve and then the tubing into the powerhead.
I got my stuff the other day and it works great!!!!!!
Len
 
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