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CO2 Injection Virgin

rawr

Member
Joined
14 Apr 2009
Messages
598
Location
Enfield
As a lot of you probably know, I'm a CO2 injection virgin and proud!

In fact, this part of the forum is new ground to me.

But - I want to progress in the hobby and in order to do this I feel the time to start CO2 injection is long over due. Having recently got a job, I'm gonna have the funds so there's no more excuses!

The only thing is I don't have a clue where to start.

I've tried reading a few articles but I still really don't get it. At all.

I need someone to explain it to me as if they're doing so to a five year old. :lol:

Basically, what I'm looking for is an easy-to-use CO2 injection set up that will give good results at the cheapest price possible.

So, what do I need? Where can I get it from? And more importantly - how the hell do I use it?!

I encourage and would greatly appreciate any help anyone can offer.
 
i would suggest going with the Fire extinguisher set up

1. get a Fire Ex (co2 of course) 2kg are most common but if you can fit a 5kg big boy in your cabnet, go for it.
2. Buy a reg and soleniod, i have one almost the same as this, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CO2-Regulator...Fish?hash=item29fe3ae8e7&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
3. get some co2 tubing (like air line but tougher, got mine from AE)
4. Get some Non return valves, bubble counters etc
5. You will need a drop checker as well
6. a diffuser or external diffuser. but you will need to deicde, i have a nifty little external thingy that dissolves the co2 into the outlet of your filter (can go on the inlet as well)

there is probably something i have missed.
 
you might get a reactor or diffuser depending on your tank size
 
Thanks guys - I forgot about those articles!

It seems quite a bit more simple than I thought...

The only thing I'm a bit confused about is the fact that a drop checker (or solenoid) wasn't mentioned in the first article - is a drop checker or solenoid needed then? What do they actually do?

Also, can anyone recommend some products or all-in-one sets that are cheap and easy to use please? Ideally for a 70l tank.

Any from AE that would fit the bill? http://www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.p ... 14_194_247

Thanks again for all the help :)
 
The solenoid is connected in to the line delivering CO2 to the tank. Its purpose is to shut on and off the CO2 as required. My solenoid is run off a timer, and switches the CO2 on two hours before lights on to build up CO2, and switches it off two hours before lights out.

What does a drop checker do? I guess you haven`t read the article George linked to. :thumbdown:

Dave.
 
Thanks for clearing that up Dave - I missed the second link for some reason so I'll check that out now!

And Cheers Aaron, I'll have a read of that too!

If anyone has any other advice etc much appreciated as usual. :)
 
rawr said:
Also, can anyone recommend some products or all-in-one sets that are cheap and easy to use please? Ideally for a 70l tank.

Thanks again for all the help and comments guys, I really appreciate it. Keep them coming! :)
 
My bad! I even check the thread a few times! :rolleyes:

If you want a kit this would be be a good start-up kit.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CO2-Anlage-Komple ... .m14.l1262

However, the cylinder with this is tricky to refill so you're paying for something you'll not be able to reuse. You could DIY a kit for cheaper.

Themuleous said:
a1Matt said:
You have light, CO2 is already in the water (not as much as with pressurised, but enough to enable plants to grow), so that just leaves the nutrients.

I would hesitate to say there is enough CO2 in the water. OK some but with the T5 lighting probably not enough.

Its tricky to recommend a single CO2 kit as there are several ways to achieve the end result. This would however be a good starting point, but unfortunately there isn't yet a kit the gives you everything you need and the cylinder in this kit you'll not be able to get refilled so you're paying for something you'll not use.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CO2-Anlage-Komple ... 1|294%3A30

These would give you the same kit :)

1) Regulator

2) CO2 tubing

3a) External diffuser

3b) Internal diffuser and comes with co2 tubing

4) Cylinder

These are optional but very useful for measuring the CO2.

5) Drop checker

6) 4dKH water

7) pH reagent

That probably all looks very complicated but its not, I can talk you through it if needs be :)

Sam

Sam
 
Thanks Sam, that's good to know. You say the cylinders aren't easy to refill - once it ran out could I just use one of Dan's 2kg extinguishers with the equipment?
 
Cool, that's good to know.

So, I've had a read through some of the articles and I'm getting there. I've still ot a bit of reading to do, but this is what I'm thinking of getting.

Regulator: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Wave-Twin-Nano-Me ... 1|294%3A30

Tubing: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CO2-Schlauch-2-0- ... 1|294%3A30

Internal diffuser with tubing: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Aquarium-CO2-Poll ... 1|294%3A30

Extinguisher: viewtopic.php?f=23&t=2204

Drop checker: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CO2-Aquarium-Glas ... 1|294%3A50

Is that everything? (I feel like I've missed something...) Does that all seem legitimate etc?
 
Oh yeah! That's the one, thanks - and I'm gonna get a solenoid too.
 
All looks good, the only other thing you'll need is some 4dKH water. Also, the reagent that comes with the drop checker is probably brome blue however to be on the safe side you may want to get either the API low range pH or Hagen pH test kits, both of which I'm pretty sure use Brome blue :)

Sam

PS - I dont bother with a check valve, I've never found they work anyway. Also unless the reg is steal it'll not rust anyway if water gets into it.
 
Ah right, thanks for that. So those solutions are to go in the drop checker, right? I'm learning, I'm learning... :lol:

It says the regularot is 'high qulaity polished stainless steel'.
 
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