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Solenoid problems

Cheers Clive, makes perfect sense now! :D
Seeing as I already have a solenoid, are there any dual stage regulators on their own that you'd recommend?
Would, for example, this one be suitable?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-SINGLE-CO2-RE ... otohosting

I suppose if worst comes to worst I can sell the regulator and solenoid I have at present, and buy the one you linked to, then it'd only be ~£30 more.
 
There are two different types of regulators that can be used. The first is a straight forward regulator that has two guages, one for the high pressure side (CO2 bottle) and one for the low pressure side (diffuser side). There is a large knob (regulator) that controls the pressure on the low pressure side which can be seen on the low side pressure guage. This is a very good example of such a regulator - http://www.welduk.com/Details.asp?ProductID=82. You will also need to get this nut and tail so you can attach tubing - http://www.welduk.com/Details.asp?ProductID=291. I know of people who have used this with great success. To have proper control of the flow of CO2 you will also need to purchase a needle valve - http://www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=196_199&products_id=1048. There may be cheaper ones around though. A needle valve only controls flow and does not regulate pressure in any way and will always work to equalise pressure on each side of the valve.

The second type of regulator is an all in one solution that has the regulator and needle valve built into it. The JBL regulator is an example of this type - http://www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=194_251&products_id=296. It's not possible to change the low side pressure as this is set to approx 1.5 bar inside. The only adjustment that can be made is with the needle valve to control the flow of CO2.

That regulator you pointed out on ebay looks as though it'd work but I'm not sure to how good it is. You take your chances on ebay. I know the welduk regulator I pointed out above is of good quality for the price.

HTH
James
 
Ok, I've ordered the regulator and part from the welding site, and the needle valve from ebay.
Is this the right order of set up?
Fire extinguisher----Regulator----Needle Valve----Solenoid----Non return valve----Diffuser

Cheers
Paul.
 
Thats how I have mine set up. As the guys have mentioned as long as the pressure is reduced before the airline tubing it should be fine. Ive just ordered the same solonoid off ebay. Im using more co2 now than I used to as Ive setup a larger tank so I want to get a little more out of my cylinders now. Also its anoying adjusting the bubble count each day before the lights come on!!

John
 
Why would you need to adjust the bubble count every day?

When you run 24/7 the bubble count which you controlled with the needle valve should remain the same!!

With a solenoid the pressure will build slightly when it is off and you get a faster count for a little while before it steadys off to the bubble count you set it at.

Either way solenoid or not it should stay the same each day without adjustment!

Andy
 
John,
Have you studied the CO2 article? http://www.ukaps.org/drop-checker.htm

The article discusses how to set your bubble rate. You should not be changing the needle valve setting otherwise you will never achieve a stable CO2 concentration and worse, you could actually induce BBA. Select a needle valve setting once and leave it there.Forget about the transient response of the bubbles in the morning. After some time the bubble rate will stabilize. Monitor the dropchecker throughout the photoperiod in order to see how low the pH in the checker drops. If the dropcheckers water is still a bit blue then slightly tweak the needle valve more open once and only once. You don't need very much tweaking. See how green the dropchecker becomes. This takes hours and hours. If you have overshot and the dropchecker goes too yellow during the day then close the valve slightly, once. Continue making only a single change one day at a time until the color of the dropchecker is lime green as shown in the article.

Review the article and monitor your fishes response until you settle on a color change. It may take a week or more but you will zoom in on the correct setting. If, on the other hand you faff around with the needle valve you will forever have problems.

Cheers,
 
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