Co2 Cylinder and Regulator

First off I cannot find an appropriate forum for this, so you can move it...

Ok I got the regulator on the co2 cylinder with 1 bubble for every 3 sec...
But how long does it take to start coming out of the diffuser inside of the tank?

Also does it matter on the length of tubing between? I have about 10feet between. Should it be
as short as possible?

I have the pressure set to 10psI its not coming out of the diffuser. The co2 finally made it to then end, but I'm getting nothing.

I now have the PSI up to 20 and no matter what I do with the needle valve is wide open and it still comes out slow and still not getting anything from the diffuser.

Well it seems as the diffuser is a total piece of and a waste of money. I attached the 10feet tubing to my bubble bar and it worked immediatly... So now I have to get a new diffuser or Atomic CO2 Diffuser and attach it directly into my Eheim filter...

What do you all suggest?

 

Use a 15$ petco power head instead. Or make sure your old one is free of debris.

I use the power head because it gives me extra circulation AND diffuses the co2 better than my old diffuser. . . Two birds, one stone.


It also keeps less stuff in my tank.

 

Well I wanted to use Atomic CO2 Diffuser Inline with my Eheim filter, but I won't pay $20 delivery to canada for a $30 item...I do not have a power head and cannot keep buying more stuff... I have a brand new diffuser which obvisously is a piece of .

I am trying to find Atomic CO2 Diffuser in a LFS so far no luck...RIght now I am just using my bubble bar till I get something. I might just get a bubble ladder, but I would like to get a spio viii. but again I have to go outside canada...

 

What kind of diffusor are you using? Many of the "atomic" CO2 diffusors have a working pressure of 30+ PSI. If it was a regular ceramic diffuser it should not have had a problem with that pressure.

 

well I'm glad you mentioned that... This diffuser says I need working pressure of 2kg/cm2 or higher, and yes I have no idea what that would be in psi, would you? I hope/beg...

 

Well I wanted to use Atomic CO2 Diffuser Inline with my Eheim filter, but I won't pay $20 delivery to canada for a $30 item...I do not have a power head and cannot keep buying more stuff... I have a brand new diffuser which obvisously is a piece of .

I am trying to find Atomic CO2 Diffuser in a LFS so far no luck...RIght now I am just using my bubble bar till I get something. I might just get a bubble ladder, but I would like to get a spio viii. but again I have to go outside canada...

If you use the power head like I use you won't have to buy that later to solve circulation problems that create BBA. Which is the reason I suggested it.

From what I understand a bubble ladder is one of the worst forms of getting co2 in the water.

Like I said before, the power head works better than a diffuser for me and it was only $15.00

 

well I'm glad you mentioned that... This diffuser says I need working pressure of 2kg/cm2 or higher, and yes I have no idea what that would be in psi, would you? I hope/beg...

2 kg/cm^2 = 28.45 psi, so most companies would probably round that to 30 psi. Hopefully you can get it working and eliminate any headaches from trying to find something else.

 

I already have an aqueon circulation pump. But I read and was told that it's not good to have too much surface water movement during the co2 diffusion time... We don't have a petco, what do you think it would be called at petsmart and ALSO how do you hook the co2 tube into the power head?

2 kg/cm^2 = 28.45 psi, so most companies would probably round that to 30 psi. Hopefully you can get it working and eliminate any headaches from trying to find something else.

Trying to find something else where I live and in Canada has proven to be a massive headache and almost a 4 week search... To order things outside of canada for aquarium items have proven to be a huge headache and a massive cost... I am going to try and raise my psI to 30+ and see what happens. So far I had it only to 20psi...

Originally I posted I have 10ft of tubing on right now. Would that have any factor on psi. When I couldnt get it to work initially I place all 10ft CO2 on my bubble bar and it worked right away?

So does 10ft have any bearing?

Ive got it up to 40 psI and still nothing...

 

Originally I posted I have 10ft of tubing on right now. Would that have any factor on psi. When I couldnt get it to work initially I place all 10ft CO2 on my bubble bar and it worked right away?

So does 10ft have any bearing?

Unless there is a leak in the tubing, the length should not have an effect on the pressure at all. Some of the cheaper overseas atomizers have poor quality material (just a general observation from other experiences with them, I don't know who made yours), so the ceramic pores may be plugged completely since they are very small. The bubble bar has much larger pores, so it doesn't need much pressure at all to work. Anyway, it sounds like yours is defective, unless you can see something visibly wrong with it.

 

I hooked it back up to the air stone and it works... Yes it must because the bubble bar works fine. I guess I only have 2 options... Get the bubble ladder or go over seas and get a spio viiI or pay an exorbant amount for shipping and get the inline diffuser which fits right into my Eheim what do you think?

 

Well, like Mer-max mentioned, the bubble ladder is horribly inefficient. If you don't mind having larger equipment outside the tank, you could use a CO2 reactor inline with the return line from your canister. CO2 reactors are very efficient, either DIY or manufactured, and most result in next to no visible micro bubbles from the CO2 floating around the tank. I use a DIY Rex Grigg reactor that works well, but it is kinda big.

The other option is an ISTA max mix, which has good reviews. If you go with a diffusor from overseas and it doesn't work, you may not have any customer service if something goes wrong. Over time it may add up to the same price as buying the one with the high shipping cost. (the link is just an example, I don't know if that is cheap or not in US dollars since I don't know the conversion lol)


The method Mer-max is talking about is supposed to be a good method of diffusion too, but I don't have any experience with it.

 

I am so frustrated, it's unbelievable...

 

There are reaction chambers that hook up to your filter hose and force bubbles against the water flow. Some of these diffuse 100 % of the co2 (or claim to). These are the best method but probably the most expensive.

 

I guess the only way I could get something here is to make myself. The cost of buying and shipping is absolutly outrageous...

how do I hookup the co2 reactor to my output and have the co2 line in as well?

that ISTA max mix is the same foreign company that made my crapy diffuser plus that item is in Taiwan.

Any other products you can suggest from canada or Us?

I blew hundreds of dollars on all the equipment and can't even get the simplest part diffuser to work. I am unbelievebly frustrated... And I can't even order one without paying a ton a bunch more money......

The other option is an ISTA max mix, is from taiwan and how is it possible that there ship[ping cost is only 2 bucks...

What is the media that goes inside the bottle?

 

how do I hookup the co2 reactor to my output and have the co2 line in as well?

The manufactured reactors have an inlet and outlet for the water only, and a separate port for the CO2 tubing to attach to. The CO2 inlet is usually close to the water inlet so the CO2 doesn't escape using the water flow to breakdown the bubble in constant contact with the water. The larger diameter of it slows the water flow in the reactor allowing it to become more concentrated with CO2. The reactor doesn't require any media (it can be used) to be efficient and therefore has nothing to clog up or maintain .

To hook it up inline, the hose on your canister filter outlet back to the tank would need to be cut and attached to the reactor. Then use some hose spiral hose clamps (or whatever they are called) to secure the hose.

This is the rex grigg reactor (pre-paint) I made out of 2" PVC with an overall length of 22" for efficiency, but follows the same concept as other reactors. No media was used at all inside and it works well.


As for other suggestions for other forms of diffusion that may be available to you, I am at a loss. Hopefully someone else will chime in with some suggestions. I'm sorry that you have encountered problems with this, I hope it will all fall into place soon and you can sit back and enjoy the plant growth .

 

the ista max mix works great. the only thing I don't like about it is its a lil flimsy imo. I don't really feel safe hooking it up outside the tank, although I had it hooked up outside for a few months. it can be placed inside the tank to eliminate the worry of leaks.

there is no media to fill it with. it will use the flow of your canister filter to chop up the bubbles.

if you want to try a regular air stone diffuser. iv been using fluval's ones for awhile and they do fine. I would think some local pet store would have them.

I have a video of mine working...

 

I already have an aqueon circulation pump. But I read and was told that it's not good to have too much surface water movement during the co2 diffusion time... We don't have a petco, what do you think it would be called at petsmart and ALSO how do you hook the co2 tube into the power head?

Don't set it up so it moves the surface. Put it down deep. Mine has an intake for a air tube on it and I just hooked my co2 on it instead. I'm sure you could just run your line into the intake of your existing pump you should try it and see what it does

 

Mer Max, my circulation pumpis the smallest I could get, but I found it was a bit too strong. There is no spot to place a tube I guess I would have to shove it in the back grill to allow the bubbles to get sucked through the fan. But like I said I think it is a bit strong for a 29G. Yes I could place it much lower.

 

I don't know then. It seems you've said no to every suggestion. I'm all out.

 

I ordered yet another in tank diffuser from a LFS for $11. The only one I could find in my city.

I will go take a walk to my local petsmart and see if I can find a power heard that allows a co2 tube attachement...
I do appreciate the ideas, it's just been very frustrating for me.

I found this...Marineland Penguin Submersible Power Head - 550

It has adjustable aeration, BUT I cannot tell if it has an air tube connector?

 

the ista max mix works great. the only thing I don't like about it is its a lil flimsy imo. I don't really feel safe hooking it up outside the tank, although I had it hooked up outside for a few months. it can be placed inside the tank to eliminate the worry of leaks.

there is no media to fill it with. it will use the flow of your canister filter to chop up the bubbles.

if you want to try a regular air stone diffuser. iv been using fluval's ones for awhile and they do fine. I would think some local pet store would have them.

I have a video of mine working...

Heck of a setup! Nice work on the vid, how much do those reactors cost? I can't find any reasonable prices.

 

there cheap....

 

there cheap....

Holy wow, how did I miss those? Ok then I'll be ordering them now. I've been running my pressurized system with a lame diffuser.

 

there cheap....

For us Canadians this is what we have to pay. That is outrageous. I can't see how I can pay that much for a $10 item. This sucks...
Flat rate fee ($18.00 US) plus 18% International Surcharge based on merchandise value apply

 

For us Canadians this is what we have to pay. That is outrageous. I can't see how I can pay that much for a $10 item. This sucks...
Flat rate fee ($18.00 US) plus 18% International Surcharge based on merchandise value apply

that sucks I'm sorry...

the thing works very well but its really is not that "solid". I just don't trust it outside the tank but if you don't mind hiding it inside of the tank it should work great.

but I did have it running outside the tank for awhile with no issues. just made me worry to much to make it worth it.

 

WEll for now I ordered that fluval diffuser for inside from my LFS. I should get it friday. But really that is all the resources I have. My LFS do not carry any good stuff and the items they do carry are astronomically priced high. I did find a couple of reactors but I am not going to pay $95 bucks...

My co2 cylinder and regulator is working fine, the solenoid works great. I have it on a timer and hooked up to my air stone for now, then I just switch the 2 back and forth for air bubbles at night.

This Fluval Ceramic CO2 Diffuser for 88 g Kit

Is it called DIY CO2 Reactor or is it really a diffuser.

I am having problems googling for it. I keep getting DIY yeast reactors

I ve read that I can use my old aquarium vacuum tube. Dang I really wish I had a car. My local hardware store is so far away...

If any one can do a google search for me on a super easy DIY reactor I would so be happy. I am not a handyt person and find I need full instructions with pictures. If I have that I can normally follow it. Looking forward to seeing your LINKS..
Thank you all...

I really would like to attempt at creating this, but I just don't see the cost of buying all that epoxy for a 1 time use. Can I not just use silicone if I were to make it out of an old tank vaccuum? Also I am finding that my LFS DO NOT carry all the items I need and would need also to get tools that I don't have and then need to go to a local hardware store. Dam this is so hard... I guess for me I will just have to live with a water diffuser

 

Your tank is not huge... The fluval diffuser should be able to supply plenty of co2.

Its called a Inline co2 reactor.

 

Yes I will stick with the diffuser. Hopefully this new one will work LOL...

 

Yes pull the air tube off the power head and stick your co2 line on it. You'll be surprised how small the bubbles are

 

Finally after 2 weeks I got a working ceramic diffuser installed and working.

Check out the pics...

I will link the video as well...


Thanks to bankruptjojo suggesting I place the diffuser low and below the out bar and having the out bar angled down and some what towards the back wall. All my co2 is being spread around the tank.
Very nice....

 

cant wait to see how it looks in a few weeks

 

Should have went with the power head (

 

Yesterday I was working on 24ppm of co2
Today I think I got 34ppm of co2
Tomorrow I will need to make sure I don't go over 40ppm

Can any one tell me, WHY my co2 will not start up on its own.
What I mean is yes the solenoid clicks in and the co2 starts running, BUT
I let it go for about 40 mins and not a drop of co2 came out of the diffuser.

I had to pour on the co2 for a few sec to get the co2 to start coming out of the diffuser, then I dialed it back down to my normal 1bp2s... Then its good for the day?

Any tips?

 

Can any one tell me, WHY my co2 will not start up on its own.
What I mean is yes the solenoid clicks in and the co2 starts running, BUT
I let it go for about 40 mins and not a drop of co2 came out of the diffuser.

I had to pour on the co2 for a few sec to get the co2 to start coming out of the diffuser, then I dialed it back down to my normal 1bp2s... Then its good for the day?

Any tips?

It's because some air and possibly a few drops of water are being vacuumed back through the airline a little ways. The co2 has to build up enough pressure in the line to push the air and water back out. You may want to buy a high grade check valve, I use the cheap plastic ones right now and I have the same issue.

 

yeah that sounds right but you should also have a check valve to help this so the water won't flow all the way to the regulator. do you have a check valve? double check and make sure its working.

 

Yes I do have check valve and it sits right at the top of the tank. But like he said its a cheap one.
Can any one link a good proper check valve Please?

 

Yes I do have check valve and it sits right at the top of the tank. But like he said its a cheap one.
Can any one link a good proper check valve Please?

I have always used the cheap ones with no problems. but if you want one atomic makes one if you can find it...