Ok so............

M

Mooch28

AC Members
Dec 24, 2004
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Toronto (Brampton)
Need help setting up pressurized system............

I bought a 15 pound C02 tank today for 65 bucks canadian (awsome deal!), filled with gas from CamCarb as suggested by Captain Hook here, but now i need help getting it going....

1. What pressure should i set it too to begin with, i have heard 20psi is a good start.

2. How man bubbles per second should i be looking for to begin. Again, i hear 1-2 bubles per second is a good start to bring it up gradually, which afer time can be set around 3-5 bubbles per second?

Any other input would be appreciated...........
 
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The pressure can be anywhere from 10psi to 20psi. The higher the pressure the more pressure on all your connections which theoretically leads to a higher possibility of leaks. But as long as everything is sealed...
Start with a bubble every two seconds, see what that gives you, then go up from there. I don't think you'll need more than 2bps.

Don't turn the main valve from the tank on while the gauges are facing you. In the off chance there is a leak in the regulator, the pressure from the tank could blow the lenses off the gauge and take out your eye/nose/cheek/the 3lb barbell you have in your eyebrow/etc... ;)
 
beviking said:
Start with a bubble every two seconds, see what that gives you, then go up from there. I don't think you'll need more than 2bps.
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That all depends on your kH, plant density, and amount of actual water you have in the tank.

BV, I am running 3 bps on 2WPG in 165 gallons of water. I usually follow the "1 bps per 40 gallons" suggestion, but it was actually too much (my pH was dropping to 6.3 during the day).
 
beviking said:
The pressure can be anywhere from 10psi to 20psi. The higher the pressure the more pressure on all your connections which theoretically leads to a higher possibility of leaks. But as long as everything is sealed...
Start with a bubble every two seconds, see what that gives you, then go up from there. I don't think you'll need more than 2bps.

Don't turn the main valve from the tank on while the gauges are facing you. In the off chance there is a leak in the regulator, the pressure from the tank could blow the lenses off the gauge and take out your eye/nose/cheek/the 3lb barbell you have in your eyebrow/etc... ;)
Click to expand...

Too late, lol

Anyways i started it at 1 bubble per 2 second, and all seems well so far. Ill check the PH later on tonight. By the way my KH readings often come between 4.5-5, this should be fine right to avoid PH swings?

Thanks guys!
 
Mooch28 said:
By the way my KH readings often come between 4.5-5, this should be fine right to avoid PH swings?
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Fearless Leader says: Don't go below 3 kH. Otherwise you are good.
 
Timmain42 said:
Fearless Leader says: Don't go below 3 kH. Otherwise you are good.
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One other thing guys. I havent recieved my new ballast yet for my PC fixture, so im currently running 1.5 watts per gallon of NO. Will it be ok to run 25-30 ppm of C02 at this low of light? From what ive gathered, its just a waste of C02, but no harm is done......

Within a week i should have my ballast and hae 3.7 watts per gallon going......
 
Indeed, it is a waste, but better that than nothing. Keep a close eye out on your ph, please.
 
Mooch28 said:
Thanks, but will it be harmful to plants or fish? Im paranoid, and just wana be on the safe side....... :D
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It'll hurt the fish first.
 
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