Need Help Building Or Buying A Complete Co2 System

so... I'm having one heck of a time figuring out where to buy and how to build a co2 system and I was wondering if someone could lead me in the right direction. If possible id like to stay around $200 for everything and id like the tank to be refillable. (This will be used on a 10 gallon "long"aquarium)

I found a kit at Big Als pets on line but I'm not sure how good it is.... $179.99 is a heck of a lot of money for something that might be junk... Below I attached the link to the co2 kit if anyone is interested in seeing it.

Ista CO2 Aluminum Cylinder Set

 

Refillable CO2 Tank be better option and cheaper..
Cylinder:
co2 regulator solenoid with bubble counter:
You will also need diffuser,co2 tubing and drop check ..

 

Not disposable. Its a waste. Long term you spend WAYYYY more money and its not halfas good.

I got this tank and a used CO2 regulator off of Ebay. The tank was $50 after shipping (great price for the size), and the regulator was $50 but its a nice adjustable dual guage regulator with solenoid. So for about $100 easy you should be able to set up a good one. You also need a diffuser($5-$30), ($5), CO2 tubing (silicone, $5), a drop checker ($7), 4dKH water and bromothymol blue OR a KH test kit and bromothymol blue, bromothymol blue is abot $2-3.

 

One thing to consider before you buy any CO2 cylinder (other than standard CGA 320 fitting) would be : where can you fill/refill it?
Most CO2 refill stations would only refill cylinders with CGA 320 thread (usually they are 5 lb and up ) and only few will deal with paintball cylinder. That' because liquid CO2 it's not something you can pour in like water, there are 1000 psI in the bottle and proper fitting is required to fill.

Other than that, I have no idea if ISTA is junk or not, just few questions:
What does DOT approved means?
What is 2- in- 1 ceramic diffuser? I suspect is has the bubble counter as well although it is not mentioned.
How is that check valve stainless steel when it is clearly plastic?

 

Sports stores like Acadamy and Dick's refill paintball tanks, for regular tanks fire fighter stores will do it a lot of the time, I have a huge gas company near me that does it for cheap. Also, you can get a GCA320 adapter for the paintball tank so they can fill it like a regular tank

 

Sports stores like Acadamy and Dick's refill paintball tanks, for regular tanks fire fighter stores will do it a lot of the time, I have a huge gas company near me that does it for cheap. Also, you can get a GCA320 adapter for the paintball tank so they can fill it like a regular tank

Dick's sport will not refill anything over 50.oz this what I have been told there policy. as most company carry standard 5.lb,10.lb,20.lb and 50.lb anything over that must be contract and to be only rented also as latest policy and every company is deffrent they will only exchange cylinder not refill. Those company will not carry 7,lb tanks is not standard cylinders they will might not refill for there responsibility..

 

I also have been looking into CO2 and the safety of my fish is my biggest concern. From my limited experience and from what I have been reading a high-quality needle valve is a very important factor in preventing you from gassing your fish.

 

Dick's sport will not refill anything over 50.oz this what I have been told there policy. as most company carry standard 5.lb,10.lb,20.lb and 50.lb anything over that must be contract and to be only rented also as latest policy and every company is deffrent they will only exchange cylinder not refill. Those company will not carry 7,lb tanks is not standard cylinders they will might not refill for there responsibility..

Nope they won't but generally the biggest paintball tank you can get is 20 oz. If they are able to exchange cylinders they will also refill, just mabye for an extra charge

 

Nope they won't but generally the biggest paintball tank you can get is 20 oz. If they are able to exchange cylinders they will also refill, just mabye for an extra charge

Dick's sport is not carry cylinders. A gas company changing thinks around in my town for safety rules I have been told most places where I leave won't refill them only exchange cylinders they take cylinders to factory plant to refill ...

 

Culprit
Your adapter is not for refilling paintball tank, it's for the regulator. I don't take my adapters to the refill station, just the cylinder....They might have it, I don't know, I don't get to see it how they refill, all I hear is a big hissing sound. I have a place "Dry Ice and Gases" where I refill my 10 lb cylinder (they don't do paintball) and another one- "Sodamistic" where I can refill both paintball and 10 lb cylinder.

I tried the fire extinguisher store once: the guy asked me to leave the cylinder there, pay three times the price and come next day. During summer you may find Paintball fields filling your 20-24 oz canister. Never tried Kegerator stores.

 

Dick's sport is not carry cylinders. A gas company changing thinks around in my town for safety rules I have been told most places where I leave won't refill them only exchange cylinders they take cylinders to factory plant to refill ...

Huh. I've never had that problem. They've always just refilled

Culprit
Your adapter is not for refilling paintball tank, it's for the regulator. I don't take my adapters to the refill station, just the cylinder....They might have it, I don't know, I don't get to see it how they refill, all I hear is a big hissing sound. I have a place "Dry Ice and Gases" where I refill my 10 lb cylinder (they don't do paintball) and another one- "Sodamistic" where I can refill both paintball and 10 lb cylinder.

I tried the fire extinguisher store once: the guy asked me to leave the cylinder there, pay three times the price and come next day. During summer you may find Paintball fields filling your 20-24 oz canister. Never tried Kegerator stores.

I only used a paintball tank for a month or two before encountering so many problems I switched to a 7 lb tank and never looked back. I didn't bring the adapter, just the tank and they'd refill it. No gas company would though, they didn't have the fittings. I use Airgas, they're a huge gas company and refill for $1 per lb.

 

here's what I'm going to do! far more effective and easier. compared to the yeast and other stuff, I think by spending a bit more like close to 50$

 

That will work.... for low tech or medium tech CO2 addition to help stabilize. Generally, adding CO2 creates far more problems then not, if you don't know how to do it. It is one of the easiest parameters to get out of whack. It has to be at optimum when lights turn on, then stay at that optimum until about 2-3 hours until lights turn off, then it doesn't really matter. And, that optimum has to stay the same every single day. Plants can take weeks to adjust to a change in the CO2 levels. Algae? A day. Without a solenoid you will never be able to inject CO2 without dealing with fluctuating CO2 levels, not being at the optimum every day, not being able to hit where it should be every day.

 

A good reliable system including everything you will need will cost about $400.

 

A good reliable system including everything you will need will cost about $400.

I would say that's very excessive. You can get a 5 lb tank for about $50. A good quality regulator around $50-100. All the other little equipment mabye $50 tops. More like $20 or $30

 

I would say that's very excessive. You can get a 5 lb tank for about $50. A good quality regulator around $50-100. All the other little equipment mabye $50 tops. More like $20 or $30

Latest system with everything including co2 external mixter because I refuse using diffuser was $190

IMG_20180203_195214504

• Zigi Zig
• Feb 4, 2018

..however you can purchase top rank regulator for $200 so agree some could spent that much money

 

I have low to mid-level plants, nothing fancy, swords, crypts, Anubious, Java ferns, and moss etc. I have no problem with my 55 growing plants but my 29 has a case of BBA that I can`t seem to get rid of and that is why the CO2 comes into question. I dose both tanks at the same rate twice a week with ferts, and Excel and the water parameters are the same. The only difference is the 55 has a 2 tube T5 HO and the 29 has a Finnex 24/7 plus.The regulator I was looking at was a Victor 2 stage.

 

Just fitted CO2 using refurbished CO2 fire extinguisher - about 20 quid (28 dollars) for a 2kg cylinder. It has a standard fitting for CO2. Added regulator with bubble counter & solenoid valve, CO2 resistant tubing, non-return valve and JBL Taifun reactor (don't want the mist of bubbles from a ceramic diffuser) all for less than an addirional 100 quid (140 dollars). Easy to set as low as one bubble per min (I'm starting low at 2bpm). I already had a timer and in-tank CO2 test. All was easy to set up on about an hour. The cylinder though is bulky - luckily I have somewhere close to hide it. Will need to wait and see how the Taifun does as it needs to build up biofilm for a couple of days to work properly.

 

I set up my 7 lb system for $100. I did already have the diffusers and drop checkers and other equipment. The $100 is counting a regulator/solenoid though. The 7lb is a refurbished steel cylinder. Standard regulator fitting. My local fire fighter store refills for $1 per lb so only $7.

 

I found a setup that looks really clean and I'm very interested in it, has anyone ever heard of the company KEGCO? I see that ill need to change out the hose attachment and grab a bubble counter but that's no big deal. I attached the links if anyone wanted to check it out.

Cylinder: 5 lb. Aluminum Co2 Tank with Red Finish | BeverageFactory.com

Regulator: Kegco 542 - Pro Series Commercial Grade Dual Gauge Co2 Keg Beer Kegerator Regulator | BeverageFactory.com

 

I found a setup that looks really clean and I'm very interested in it, has anyone ever heard of the company KEGCO? I see that ill need to change out the hose attachment and grab a bubble counter but that's no big deal. I attached the links if anyone wanted to check it out.

Cylinder: 5 lb. Aluminum Co2 Tank with Red Finish | BeverageFactory.com

Regulator: Kegco 542 - Pro Series Commercial Grade Dual Gauge Co2 Keg Beer Kegerator Regulator | BeverageFactory.com

you'll need a solenoid valve too unless you're going to be manually turning it on and off with your lights. There are some out there with an integral solenoid valve attached.

 

View attachment 408388
you'll need a solenoid valve too unless you're going to be manually turning it on and off with your lights. There are some out there with an integral solenoid valve attached.

KinderScout I just found this guy its a bit more then what I was wanting to spend BUT it looks like a nice and well built one.
I really don't want to cut any corners when building my co2 system ya know? Milwaukee MA957 CO2 Solenoid Diaphram Valve | BeverageFactory.com

 

I found a setup that looks really clean and I'm very interested in it, has anyone ever heard of the company KEGCO? I see that ill need to change out the hose attachment and grab a bubble counter but that's no big deal. I attached the links if anyone wanted to check it out.

Cylinder: 5 lb. Aluminum Co2 Tank with Red Finish | BeverageFactory.com

Regulator: Kegco 542 - Pro Series Commercial Grade Dual Gauge Co2 Keg Beer Kegerator Regulator | BeverageFactory.com

I am not saying this won't work but that regulator is not made for aquarium, there is specific regulators that won't work for example like one below




This is good and cheap choice regulator I have 22 of those in house so far any problems.


The cylinder should work but for that price be almost the same as getting it from your local vendor such as a welding supply company.

 

KinderScout I just found this guy its a bit more then what I was wanting to spend BUT it looks like a nice and well built one.
I really don't want to cut any corners when building my co2 system ya know? Milwaukee MA957 CO2 Solenoid Diaphram Valve | BeverageFactory.com

OK - I'm new at this too so take anything I say with a pinch of salt - but there are enough bad reviews of Milwaukee to make me feel uncomfortable (and can't get in the UK anyway). OK - I have a Chinese import for now but am already looking at places like CO2Art (not much use for you as it's European) for a replacement later. I spent more money on getting the CO2 into the water. Still waiting to see how that pans out!

 

I decided to bite the bullet and build a CO2 system. I got a great deal on a new 2 stage Harris regulator and went from there.The fittings, needle valves, and solenoid came from DIY co2.com and the
10# tank came from Beverage Factory.com.The rest of the stuff came from Amazon.

 

I decided to bite the bullet and build a CO2 system. I got a great deal on a new 2 stage Harris regulator and went from there.The fittings, needle valves, and solenoid came from DIY co2.com and the
10# tank came from Beverage Factory.com.The rest of the stuff came from Amazon.View attachment 412741

Which model regulator? May consider later for an upgrade. Don't forget to fix your cylinder either to the wall or cabinet to make sure it doesn't fall over - that could not only wreck the regulator it might head off like a rocket and do a fair amount of damage.

 

I`m planning to build a small cabinet [Box] with a hole in the center a little bit bigger than the diameter of the cylinder but it has been raining here for the last 2 days.The model of the regulator is a Harris KH 1054 702

 

nice one thanks!

 

I have both of the needle valves set to 1 DPS to see what kind of co2 absorption I get and what effect it has on my fish and plants.

 

I have both of the needle valves set to 1 DPS to see what kind of co2 absorption I get and what effect it has on my fish and plants.

you have an inline atomizer - is the other line for an in-tank diffuser/reactor? So you have 2bps in total - I now have 3bps to get me to my target PH of 6.6 - but the reactor I use (it's only a 120 litre tall tank so no room) does produce some wastage. What's your target PH?

 

The other tank has an in the tank diffuser, HOB filter. I made a Griggs reactor for the one with the atomizer and I am working on where to put it in the cabinet and how to keep it from getting air bound.Yes, finding room is also a big problem for me.