More pressurized CO2 questions...

Well I ordered everything. :)

I followed gagaliya'a advice pretty closely. Everything came to about $200. I didn't see any negative issues with the Azoo regulator and it's really inexpensive. I also went with the 10# cylinder. The 20# wouldn't fit under my tank. Now to pull one of my old canister filters out to test. Time to get rid of the HOB.

Thanks for all the help guys.
Jim
 
personally, I think a drop checker is far more important than a diffuser. since you're already gonna be running a canister filter, that diffuses it perfectly. I certainly wouldn't call a drop checker an 'extra.' I tried to get going without one and quickly realized I had NO idea where my levels were at. Once I got one, I realized I was running it wayyyyyy low and gradually had to crank it up and up and up to get it to 20-30ppm. I got the checker and fluid (enough for a couple years at least) on ebay for <$20 shipped.
 
jimangie1973 said:
Here's exactly what I got:

Azoo regulator from drsfostersmith.com
10# canister from aquariumplants.com
brass check valve from greenleafaquariums.com
10 feet co2 resistant tube from greenleafaquariums.com
spiro co2 diffuser from greenleafaquariums.com
Click to expand...

The azoo regulator is pretty much plug n play but the instructions are terrible. So a few tips in case you are not familiar:

1) dont forget to put ONE washer (included with the azoo) between the regulator and canister before screw it on
2) you MUST use a wrench to tighten as much as possible
3) then hook up the diffusers etc, and just open the canister wheel, plug in the regulator, and adjust the bubble count to desired.

One thing though i would probably put a black background for the tank, since you have everything in already, can just paint/cover from the outside. It would hide all your wires/pipes etc by blending them in, and would give the plants much more contrast. Anyway just some aesthetics to think about.
 
angyles said:
personally, I think a drop checker is far more important than a diffuser. since you're already gonna be running a canister filter, that diffuses it perfectly. I certainly wouldn't call a drop checker an 'extra.' I tried to get going without one and quickly realized I had NO idea where my levels were at. Once I got one, I realized I was running it wayyyyyy low and gradually had to crank it up and up and up to get it to 20-30ppm. I got the checker and fluid (enough for a couple years at least) on ebay for <$20 shipped.
Click to expand...

there are no drop checkers that give accurate ph/co2 concentration, it's a very ball park indication. And ph swing(lights on vs off) from co2 injection will not affect the fish, as long as the co2 concentration in the tank is not extreme.

drop checker is not useful imo unless for the coolness factor.
 
gagaliya said:
there are no drop checkers that give accurate ph/co2 concentration, it's a very ball park indication. And ph swing(lights on vs off) from co2 injection will not affect the fish, as long as the co2 concentration in the tank is not extreme.

drop checker is not useful imo unless for the coolness factor.
Click to expand...


How do you figure your right bubble count , how do you know if you are injecting enough or not enough ?
 
gagaliya said:
there are no drop checkers that give accurate ph/co2 concentration, it's a very ball park indication. And ph swing(lights on vs off) from co2 injection will not affect the fish, as long as the co2 concentration in the tank is not extreme.

drop checker is not useful imo unless for the coolness factor.
Click to expand...

exactly. A ballpark indication. When you're wandering out lost in the woods, it's nice to know what direction you're supposed to be heading. Before I got mine, I had no clue how much I should be putting in. You can say X bps, but I honestly find that completely useless. How well is it diffused. What fluid is in your bubble counter. By the time I got mine dialed in right, it's basically a flow so fast I can't count if I tried. So yeah, a ballpark indicator was very helpful in getting that setup and gaining the most benefit from my setup.
 
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I would recommend using DC for people new to pressurized setups! Being in the "Ballpark" is a good thing. Last thing you want is a tank full o dead fish!
 
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