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New to CO2 injection - Advice needed

Josh Beeston

Seedling
Joined
5 Jan 2014
Messages
9
Hiya,

Having kept "low tech" aquariums for several years now, I'd like to try my hand at "high tech" aquariums. I would like to buy a CO2 system, but the pre-made systems are very expensive, or only come with a 500g cylinder. So I've been doing my research and have decided to go the fire extinguisher route, but have a few questions:

I've seen it mentioned a couple of times that co2 fe's have an internal pipe that can be removed to use it with aquariums - is this a must? or is it just helpful to do?

Would this regulator be ok to fit straight to an fe? I know it's not dual-gauge, but I think I should manage ok with this one:

Aquarium CO2 Regulator with Solenoid Magnetic Valve | CO2Art.co.uk - CO2 Aquarium Specialists

Does anyone know of a place to refill fe's in the wirral/chester/liverpool area? I know the green machine, but it's a bit of a journey to do everytime!

Thanks in advance for your help,

Josh
 
Do yourself a favour, if you get a regulator, get the £56 job- the adjustable one with dual gauges and solenoid. This future- proofs you to work with any diffuser.
 
Both SHOULD work with any diffuser IF the working pressure is high enough. The second one looks fixed working pressure to me. but really, if you only plan to use non atomizers- buy whichever you like. Problem is- plans tend to get altered in this hobby. So its best to get a decent regulator - to save you money in a few months time ;)
 
I bought the second one and it works very well with my soda stream set up. I have two types of diffuser, a bazooker and a glass ceramic and both work very well too.

Darrens advice is good as obviously you get what you pay for and better equipment means better control with CO2. However if budget does not allow you to buy the dual stage one, you can buy the 2nd option with confidence.

There is plenty of info on FE's on you tube, take a look. They only need to have the 'horn' removed if they have one then it's just a case of being able to tape or clamp the handle in the open position to use. As far as I'm aware the fitting should match your chosen regulator.

Your main issue will be can you get the FE re- filled with relative ease by someone local and while you wait?. My problem is that I would have a 25/30 mile drive to the nearest place for re fill which for me is a PITA:thumbdown:
 
To be fair, co2 art state that their regs will operate all kinds of diffusers, so that is a guarantee. I would advise a silenoid though, so you can have co2 on a timer.
 
I recently purchased the one stage dual gauge reg with solenoid from CO2 Art, one of the cheapest ones. It works fine and yes, the working pressure is fixed at 50 psi/3.5 bar. I use it with a ceramic diffuser without any problem, but have no experience with inline diffusers. You can see some pictures n the journal section (name of the thread: tank #2).

Currently it is running in a 60 liters tank with 1 bps and the solenoid is able to open and close without any problem. It takes 15 minutes to built enough pressure to reach this rate once the solenoid is switched on. This is normal. To be honest I thought the needle valve was going to be a bit more precise... The minimum turning of the needle valve means a difference of 20 bps, but you cannot ask for for that money.

I'm not sure if I would upgrade to a dual stage, but I would purchase for sure a more precise needle valve.

IMO, don't save money on this, it is the heart of your system if you decide to inject pressurized CO2
 
IMO, don't save money on this, it is the heart of your system if you decide to inject pressurized CO2
Also if it is "cheap" and CO2 is not easily controllable you can get issues from algae outbreaks due to fluctuating CO2 levels to gassing all your nice expensive fish...
 
Yes I can quite understand the advice being given but budgets do come into it for many and I wouldn't like to see this excellent single stage gauge given the thumbs down.

IMO the gauge performs equally as well as the very expensive one supplied to me by BioPlast years ago. I can set the bubbles by 1bps, though like all needle valves it requires a delicate touch and the solenoid works a treat.
Having bought much of my own set up from CO2Art they appear to be a reputable company who would not sell a gauge that wasn't up to the job.
 
Yes I can quite understand the advice being given but budgets do come into it for many and I wouldn't like to see this excellent single stage gauge given the thumbs down.

IMO the gauge performs equally as well as the very expensive one supplied to me by BioPlast years ago. I can set the bubbles by 1bps, though like all needle valves it requires a delicate touch and the solenoid works a treat.
Having bought much of my own set up from CO2Art they appear to be a reputable company who would not sell a gauge that wasn't up to the job.


agreement.

The high working pressure makes all co2 art regs very usable.
 
No doubt, good stuff. I bought everything from CO2 Art: reg, solenoid, bubble counter, thermometer and drop checker... And the shipment cost to Spain means at least 7 pounds if I'm not wrong, but even though it is worth it.
 
Wow, thanks for all the advice! That's a huge help - I think I just need to find a place that refills extinguishers now! Does anyone happen to know any in the liverpool/chester/wirral area?

Thanks again for the help!

Josh
 
2Wirral Calor Centre2.15 Miles
Campbeltown Road, Wirral
CH41 9HP
 
Brilliant, I've now found two places to give a call in the morning - Just to double check they still offer the service! Providing that's all ok, I'm ordering tomorrow! :)

Thanks again for your help!

Josh
 
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