Bubble Counter Help

[Bobtastic]

Hi all,

I have the blow bubble counter that I got with the Co2 system that I bought from TGM and I seem to be having trouble keeping enough liquid in the counter...

I believe that I have the system setup correctly (below), with everything in the right place but could do with some clarification/advice.

But I seem to be losing all the water out of the bubble counter... Can anyone suggest a cause and indeed a solution?

 

[spyder]

When the pressure in the line drops the water falls back till the check valve stops it.

When co2 kicks in the line is low pressure and rapid bubbling can force water from counter up and push through diffuser.

It's a lose lose situation. Had to top mine up last night. Some water stays in co2 tube as droplets.

 

[Bobtastic]

So you're saying that it's a normal and common complaint and there's nothing that can be done about it?

 

[foxfish]

You can use a much larger style bubble counter but those little ones always seem to do the same thing.

 

[Bobtastic]

Could you recommend an alternative that is less likely to suffer from this problem?

 

[Morgan Freeman]

I had the same problem with these bubble counters. I now use the really simple plastic ones...

Sure they don't look as nice but they work.

 

[spyder]

I should of said I'm only 3 weeks into using pressurized co2 and sharing my experience.

I find check valves are slow to respond so if a better quality check valve is available then it would help. I recall reading about a 2nd check valve between bubble counter and diffuser which may help, but I have not tried this myself.

 

[foxfish]

Bob I am using one of these at the moment but I think there is a even better model out now http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/JBJ-CO2-Bubble-Co ... 4ceb787e03
I also change my non return valves every few months when I change the C02 tubing

 

[CeeJay]

Hi Bob.

Could you recommend an alternative that is less likely to suffer from this problem?

As you're using the AM1000, do yourself a favour and dump the bubble counter altogether.
Connect the pipe from your non return valve straight into the AM1000
You can count the bubbles coming out of the pipe in the bottom of the reactor. Job done.
Just be aware that these bubbles are bigger than the one's you're used to seeing in those tiddly little bubble counters, so you will have to be careful that you don't gas your fish to start with.
Mines been running like this for 18 months and no problems to report. Just make sure you have a decent non return valve.
I only changed to this method because I had exactly the same problem you're having

 

[youmustcomply]

I have the same style bubble counter as you and I use glucose in it instead of water. You can buy a little pot from tesco in the baking section.
You need to warm it up in hot water so its thinner then use a syringe to inject it into the bubble counter.

So far its been 3 weeks and I'm yet to top the bubble counter up.

Its also easier to count the bubbles as it slows everything down !