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Cheers for the suggestions guys, I'll have a closer look this weekend and see if I can work out which bit has actually corroded. I fear it may be the inside of the tube though, I think the problem is that in the high acidic environment caused by the CO2 the corrosion is amplified so any...

I bought a stainless steel diffuser off ebay a couple of weeks back thinking it would be the answer to me breaking so many glass ones. It arrived and was lovely, looked good, ok quality and the replaceable ceramic discs were a plus! I got it all installed and it produced beautiful little...

Hi guys, if the places you use for refills aren't on the refill list then can you add them to the thread for me (and anyone else in your area who might like to make use of them) viewtopic.php?f=4&t=4612 Cheers Helen

This is my main use of it too. It's just an easy indicator as to how much you're putting in. When you make any adjustments it gives you an instant reading of how much you've changed the CO2 levels by unlike the DC which takes a while to catch up. I don't think I've ever counted mine, it's...

Seems like that's a new one on the market. The ebay feedback is low but that from others who have purchased it seems ok so you might get it in one piece. It's a good price but I'm not sure how good the customer service would be. Saying that AZOO is a proper trade name that's been around for...

Oh, ok, that makes more sense. In which case I have no idea what 3. is, Is it a screw of some sort since from the photo it just looks like a lump of plastic. I'd just not touch it if I were you ;) I'd also check the wire going into the solenoid as it doesn't look that well secured, but that...

1. looks like it's the coarse control, it sets the pressure going into the needle valve. I think yours is preset so you shouldn't play with it. 2. as has been noted is the fine needle control to get the bubble count you want. 3. looks to be where the CO2 comes out. I'd put your tubing on that...

After is fine, not sure about sealant, I don't use any.

Believe me the difference between injecting CO2 and not is just huge, and if you're into your tanks it's well worth the cash. That link you've given is an argon one and not a CO2 one, it's unlikely to have the right thread on it - you'd need an adaptor. There's this one, no idea if it's any...

Thought it would be worth an update, I've just finished my first CO2 bottle, and everything is still running smoothly. The solenoid is still quiet. I haven't found any leaks. There wasn't any need to re-adjust the regulator as the cannister pressure dropped, it managed it all brilliantly...

I'm not sure on how much it would alter the reading but you're right the cost of the 4 kdh water has gone up (it's a bigger bottle than they used to do) the alternatives are an all in one solution or make your own using distilled water which will be cheaper to buy and you can probably get locally.

They work by gas exchange, at the beginning the tank water gives off CO2 and the Drop checker test solution takes in CO2, as the amount of CO2 in the test solution increases to the same level as that in the tank water the system reaches equilibrium. This is why there is a delay in the drop...

Have a look at some of the threads in this section, there are lots of people describing the kits they have and making comparisons between different methods. I started a thread a while ago on ebay regulators which might be a start if you decide to take the pressurised route.

I too have mine in the CO2 line. Didn't want to start fiddling with the nice leak-free connections on the reg!

I put the order in on the 14th October and they arrived on the 27th. They had to go through the uni system though so I don't know when they arrived on site; probably a day or 2 before that.

Lunapet did me a good deal, I wanted most of the kit but not the reactor nor cannister so we did a bit of bargaining and I came away happy. Postage was about €20.

That's a good deal, you might want to add this to the suppliers list in the where to buy section so the details don't get lost as it drops down the page.

Ok well as I said I went with the Lunapet option. It took what seemed like ages to arrive (but was probably only about 10 working days and it had to make its way through the uni postal system too!) The solenoid is currently silent, which is brilliant and it also appears not to get too warm...

Personally I would put the check valve between any liquid (ie your bubble counter) and your solenoid/reg. So I would have it... regulator->needle valve->solenoid->non-return-valve->bubble counter->diffuser/reactor. I think it depends on your equipment though as some bits come in set orders so...

There goes half the English language :P Nope, keep up the good work, education is a 'good thing'(tm)

I actually thought that was only in French but having just done a quick look-up I find you are correct... I'm wondering if I've ever written it incorrectly, it's not something I tend to write that often! *Thinking she'll stick to sign language in future!*

Oooh, be sure to add his details to a relevant where to buy thread, that's the sort of info that's really useful :)

One of these? Mine always used to drain when the pressure dropped on my DIY CO2, I'm guessing it'd do the same if you turn the CO2 off at night. Although pretty I'm not sure they're the most practical of tools, I've ordered a new one (see below) for my new system - less pretty but more practical.

Well I've just ordered all the lunapet kit to go with my FE and cheapo ebay glass diffuser. I contacted them directly and asked if they'd do me a deal since I wanted quite a few bits and pieces, they accepted my offer and I saved myself a few quid. Will let you know how it's all going when...

Nice solution; viewable from all sides. :D

Sorry, it obviously got missed (maybe everyone's been running around getting ready for the Festival of Fishkeeping ;) ) The drop checker is often a few hours behind the tank, how far behind depends on all sorts of factors including how much liquid is in your drop checker and the surface areas...

Probably some form of chlorine gas... nice :shock:

Hmmm, now I just need to learn German!

Good point! Ouch. That's Loud! I take it they aren't just operating under a different name now *looks hopeful*.

Seems it might be pot luck with the solenoid in option 2. Means I'm tempted by option 3 if only because I have some come back if it's noisy or runs too hot. LD - that's cool to hear, I forgot to ask if anyone knew if it was suitable to use with an FE so I'm glad you've done the trial run for...

Ok, from what I can see there are 3 cheapish options. Option 1 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Release-Dual-Gauge-CO2-Regulator-Solenoid-Valve_W0QQitemZ160283938484QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item160283938484&_trkparms=39:1|66:2|65:15|240:1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 aquahk8 £52.99 Option 2...

I don't run pressurised CO2 so take this with a pinch of salt, but it sounds like you could do with more surface movement at night when everything is respiring but not photosynthesising. Therefore O2 -> CO2 but little to no CO2 -> O2.

I didn't think you could change a poll after people had started voting... could cause all sorts of... :? interesting effects :twisted:

24/7 DIY... though if I had pressurised I'd be using a solenoid and timer combo. Currently have to have bubbles on overnight and boy are they annoying!

If you do get the first can you let us know if it's any good and if the solenoid is noisy... not that I'm getting everyone else to do my research for me ;)

Now that would be a challenge - how to paint the inside of the bulb!

With regards to the white background on the glass drop checkers, they wouldn't need to be solid, you could just run a spiral of white round the bulb, or put a white dot on it somewhere. In fact all sorts of patterns would be suitable... *starts thinking about getting her glass paints out...

There isn't really such a thing as the 'ideal bubble rate' everyone's kit produces different size bubbles and has different diffusion rates (how much of the CO2 makes it into the water vs how much was put into the tank) so we have to use a calibrated drop checker. (Calibrated = use 4dHk water...

Why don't you ask who Dan uses for his FEs, they only seem to charge £8 each way.

The solution will take anything up to an hour to change, possibly more. There should be an air gap between the bulb and the tank water. Drop checkers work on gas exchange, the tank water releases CO2 into the air in the drop checker which is then absorbed by the liquid in the bulb. When the...

It can be quite a fiddle to get the liquid to go into the bulb from the horn if you put too much in too quickly. The easiest way to get the liquid into the bulb itself is with a syringe, other wise I find rocking it back and forth a little can do the trick. As Matt says, if the liquid is in...

Yup, in the DIY all-in-one it is used to prevent mould. The asorbic acid is used to lower the pH - JamesC explains it all on his site.

Damson sounds lovely, I've never been a fan of mead though. My parents used to make a lot of wine but I haven't been bitten by the bug yet, I'm still getting the hang of growing the stuff to start off with! The Home Brew Shop is also a place to get Ascorbic Acid and Potassium Sorbate for the...

From what I've seen it's not a problem, people regularly post links to things they've seen or bought. There are some minor moral issues with posting links to sites which undercut the ukaps sponsor sites but often the quality is lower from the alternative vendors so it's not usually an issue...

Link?!

Erm... whenever I remember :oops: Basically I take it out and wipe it over, the stick it on the outside of the tank when I do water changes. It always turns back to blue during this time so I figure it's still doing its job, why change it.... this is where someone comes along and tells me...

Ditto, in fact I use both, the EasyCarbo is there to supplement my DIY set up and help keep algae at bay.

What size are the bubbles in comparison to the ceramic diffusers? If you've only been running it on a ladder or something then I suggest when you first connect it to the diffuser you do the fairy liquid test for leaks at the joins, I had a small nightmare when I first started out with some...

I think it depends on the size of your DIY setup ;) I have 2 x 2 litre bottles and it drives my spiro diffuser without any difficulty. I don't see why it shouldn't work with any relatively small ceramic diffuser. Lime wood? That sounds interesting, what's that?

I thought this was just a feature of all ceramic diffusers, if it isn't then please tell me so I can buy a replacement, I have this in my room and it's really annoying when I'm trying to read!

They look funky but are a nightmare to clean. If you're using them with a DIY and get any yeast mixture in them then I don't know how you'd get it out. If you get any liquid in them whilst cleaning then you have to force it out through the ceramic disc :roll: Otherwise, they appear to do...

I use the a.n.other one and it works fine, blue with no co2 and a nice limeade colour when co2 is going strong :)

Just video it whilst doing the fairy liquid bubbles leak test. That should be evidence enough.