Thinking of Going Pressurized

DGalt

DGalt

AC Members
Jun 1, 2008
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Connecticut
So I have a 15 gallon low-light moss / anubias / (soon to be) dwarf clover tank.

Right now I'm using a DIY Co2 system and everything is going just fine. I had a little bit of BBA, but it has since died off (I think the H2O2 actually worked).

The issue is that I just forget to change my CO2 solution. Between classes / lab / work I don't know where I find the time to do the 2 water changes I do a week, and I'm constantly finding my solution has died (I can't seem to get it to last more than a week, maybe 1.5 weeks). And then there is no sugar in the apartment....and yeah.

Really, I'm just tired of the (admittedly minor) hassle it is of changing the 2 2liter bottles I have on there right now.

So I'm thinking of going to a pressurized system, if for no other reason than I won't have to worry about it for much longer periods of time (besides checking the drop checker / valves to make sure everything is fine and dandy).

I guess my question is....should I bother? I'm not really looking to increase the lighting (the moss is filling in nicely and for once I actually like the way the tank looks).

I found this auction on ebay for a Milwaukee regulator / solenoid / bubble counter for $90:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Milwaukee-MA957...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50

And I'm sure I can find a CO2 company near me. So if I can set up a CO2 system for $150 and then not have to worry about it I'd consider that money well spent.

But yeah, figured I'd run it by those who have a lot more experience with this than I do.

thanks :grinyes:
 
http://www.water-testers.com/index1.html

The Milwaukee units are $10 cheaper here, the only thing bad about the milwaukee is that the needle valve does not keep a setting that works well for small aquaria.

But you can find another valve or use a pH controller to fix that issue if it bugs you.
 
Check out the redsea products. They make a mini system that would be a lot better and less bulky for a small tank like that. Runs off the paintball co2 canisters.
 
the redsea systems are more expensive than thay need to be and again not the best out there for the money, and i general i think just going with a normal cylinders is more effective, last longer and you can use them on bigger tank if you feel like it


also if you have the cash (being a college student too i understand being low on cash, i saved up to get my regulator) i would with one of these three sites to get a regulators.

Rex Grigg: he makes good regulators and sells the parts for them too, he is only one guy who does this for fellow hobbiest so not the fastest guy to get them out. all in all good stuff though and defiantly worth recemending.

Sumo Regulators: these are the guys i got my regulator from, and thay make a good set up. there regulators come with an extra bass check valve and some tubing too, which help out. also amazing customer service and part of the money goes the The New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club. i have met both of them and thay are really nice guys by the way so thay have my vote. also thay will be able to help you with any parts for the regulators too.

Green Leaf Aquariums: this is a store that is run my a member over at The Planted Tank forum (TPT), Orlando. it has a variety of regulators that are really good and he has really fast shipping. also hes a really friendly guy and you can usually find him online at TPT. he also has amazing customer support and deal in some stuff other than regulators.


those are the main three guys i would buy regulators from and thay all have good customer support also have really good products. hope that helps/
 
Ozymandias said:
the redsea systems are more expensive than thay need to be and again not the best out there for the money, and i general i think just going with a normal cylinders is more effective, last longer and you can use them on bigger tank if you feel like it


also if you have the cash (being a college student too i understand being low on cash, i saved up to get my regulator) i would with one of these three sites to get a regulators.

Rex Grigg: he makes good regulators and sells the parts for them too, he is only one guy who does this for fellow hobbiest so not the fastest guy to get them out. all in all good stuff though and defiantly worth recemending.

Sumo Regulators: these are the guys i got my regulator from, and thay make a good set up. there regulators come with an extra bass check valve and some tubing too, which help out. also amazing customer service and part of the money goes the The New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club. i have met both of them and thay are really nice guys by the way so thay have my vote. also thay will be able to help you with any parts for the regulators too.

Green Leaf Aquariums: this is a store that is run my a member over at The Planted Tank forum (TPT), Orlando. it has a variety of regulators that are really good and he has really fast shipping. also hes a really friendly guy and you can usually find him online at TPT. he also has amazing customer support and deal in some stuff other than regulators.


those are the main three guys i would buy regulators from and thay all have good customer support also have really good products. hope that helps/
Click to expand...

yep, these are the best places to get the best regulators and co2 equip.
 
Dude, if you're down with spending $150, do it. DO IT DO IT DO IT.

Never will you regret it. In fact, you'll say "why didn't I do this sooner". Sure, it's only a 15g tank now, but what about after you finish school and get a 55g tank or something, BOOM, you already have the pressurized setup.

I use the Milwaukee. I like it. Simple. Like Riiz said, needle valve is a headache. You *can* get it to work for you with some patience. Other option a better needle valve, but before spending $65 on an Ideal needle valve, consider throwing in an extra $40 and getting a pH controller for $100.

Anyway, for the regulator, water-testers.com for sure

CO2 cylinder locally like you said.
 
I'm setting up Pressurized CO2 on my new 30g also, and I think I'm pretty much between the Milwaukee and the JBJ at the moment. The other recommended regulators are just out of my price range at the moment.
Is one clearly better than the other... I think it appears that the argument for/against the Milwaukee is the needle valve. Would the needle valve on the JBJ be a clear improvement?
 
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