Pressurized Co2

cbster

cbster

AC Members
Nov 16, 2003
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Freeburg, IL
I'm kinda confused on the whole system. I already have the tank full of CO2 and i have been looking at combo packs with regulators, needle valves, bubble counters, and automatic ph shut off stuff on http://www.co2-canisters.com/ and I was just wondering what do i really need for a 55 gallon heavily planted tank?

Thanks Greg
 
My opinion.....a good regulator and a needle valve. I count bubble rate through my reactor and test frequently until I'm satisfied that the flow rate is consistent.
To me, the rest of the stuff is unnecessary. Others will differ.

Len
 
Len,

What type of reactor do you use? I use a plastic tube filled with ceramic media in it and a aqua clear 301 power head on top of it that makes one bubble into hundreds is there a better reactor to use?

Thanks Greg
 
I agree

You need the regulator and needle valve. But, if you find a combo that has the solenoid and bubble counter included at the same price, that's fine, that's what I got. I think some units have a lock nut to keep the settings where you put them, mine does not, that would be nice, but I don't have little kids or anyone that might open the cabinet to mess that up.

Solenoid is not needed, I keep it always on except during water change when I power off everything but lights.

Bubble counter is nice, but I can count through the Plantguild reactor if I turn the water pump off. Once the bubble rate is completely stable, the pH should be relatively stable, but for CO2 drawdown during lights on periods.

You also need some thing to tie the tank upright, a velcro strap or shoelace or something fixed to the leg or cabinet.

You might want to get CO2 proof tubing, silicone does leak.
 
Greg,
I use AC 402 power heads and I attach siphon tubes(off a couple of old AC 200 HOB filters) to the bottom(intake) of the power heads. I run my CO2 line up through the bottom of the siphon tubes and when I turn the power head off I can count the bubbles as they come out of the air line and go up through the tube and into the power head.
As I said previously, if you have a good, accurate needle valve, once you set your bubble rate, it will stay there almost indefinitely. I have gone through 4 or 5 bottle changes without having to touch my needle valves or adjust them in any way and my pH hasn't varied off 6.4 in about 2 years.
But I rarely even look at the bubble rate anymore.
If I was going to set up another tank I probably wouldn't use the clear plastic siphon tubes.
All you have to do is set up your bottle, run the line into and out of the needle valve and stick the end of the air line in the tank water.
Count the bubbles and adjust for one bubble every two seconds.
Run the end of the air line into the reactor. Check pH. Wait 2 hours and check again, making tiny adjustments to obtain the desired pH as you go. If you start doing this in the morning, by evening you can have your CO2ppm up to about 20ppm. I wouldn't go higher than that on the first day so I can check how that rate effects my water's pH during lights out. My pH only drops .2 overnight with a kH of 3.5.
The following day I can then fine tune the rate to closer to 25ppm.
Just do the whole process very slowly and carefully.

anonapersona gives some excellent tips on steadying the bottle and on air line usage.

Len
 
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