Just got pressurized CO2 - now what? - Aquarium Advice

evercl92 · 10-05-2006, 02:38 PM

I just got this setup, from a guy on another forum. He just wanted rid of it, and just wanted the cost of shipping. So, I got all this for $15.... I believe that's a deal. Anyways, I got the CO2 tank filled yesterday. I don't really plan on using the reactor (looks like the top is missing a piece?), but running it into the diffuser that I already have. The tank is only 2.5lbs, I'm guessing it to last for only 3-4 months. But I'm not going to complain.

Where do I go from here then? I assume that I hook the regulator up to the tank, tubing to the regulator, and run that tubing to the diffuser? The on-board bubble counter has moisture in it. Do I let it dry? Put water in it? I was planning on running 2 bubbles/set into my diffuser (that level seems to be working right now for my tank), do I just continue to count the bubbles at the diffuser?

TIA

**Purrbox** · 10-05-2006, 04:33 PM

Looks like you got quite the deal there. Any one of those parts individually would run more that what you paid assuming they're in good working order.

Check out this site for some great directions on how to set things up.

The bubble counter would need to be filled with water to be able to use it. I believe you'd only fill it about 2/3 full. Don't use tap if you want to avoid getting mineral deposits in it.

The reactore looks to be an in tank powered reactor and as such the bottom is supposed to be open like that. These are pretty effecient reactors even though they take up a fair amount of space in the tank.

Have fun!

rkilling1 · 10-05-2006, 05:00 PM

this is the reactor:

http://www.plantguild.com/html/power_reactors.html

7Enigma · 10-06-2006, 09:18 AM

Wow $50 for that $20 at most piece(s). That's quite a nice markup!

Toirtis · 10-06-2006, 02:07 PM

One heck of a deal for $15...even used that should have sold for $75 or better.

PS: evercl92...your sig quote is incorrect....Darwin used the correct "species", not the popular, but incorrect attempt at singularisation "specie".

evercl92 · 10-06-2006, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toirtis

One heck of a deal for $15...even used that should have sold for $75 or better.

Kinda what I thought.

Anyways, I set it up (minutes ago), and all is working fine. Initial hookup to the glass bell-diffuser broke it into 3 pieces. The fine adjustment on the regulator is very fine. It's being glued back together, but I dunno if it will hold. I'm currently running the output into the powerhead to break the bubbles up.

Lonewolfblue · 10-06-2006, 02:16 PM

For the bubble counter, I use distilled water so there isn't a mineral build-up over time. And fill it 2/3 full.

evercl92 · 10-06-2006, 02:17 PM

Do I need to fill the bubble counter? I was just checking the output from the tube in the tank?

Lonewolfblue · 10-06-2006, 02:20 PM

It's not mandatory if you have another way to adjust your CO2 output. But if you don't, the bubble counter is an excellent way to let you know how much CO2 is going to the tank.

Toirtis · 10-06-2006, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lonewolfblue

It's not mandatory if you have another way to adjust your CO2 output. But if you don't, the bubble counter is an excellent way to let you know how much CO2 is going to the tank.

Agreed...I would not ever run one of these without the bubble-counter...it is just too useful to go without.

10-05-2006, 02:38 PM	#1
evercl92 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Groveport, OH Posts: 624 Images: 5	Just got pressurized CO2 - now what? I just got this setup, from a guy on another forum. He just wanted rid of it, and just wanted the cost of shipping. So, I got all this for $15.... I believe that's a deal. Anyways, I got the CO2 tank filled yesterday. I don't really plan on using the reactor (looks like the top is missing a piece?), but running it into the diffuser that I already have. The tank is only 2.5lbs, I'm guessing it to last for only 3-4 months. But I'm not going to complain. Where do I go from here then? I assume that I hook the regulator up to the tank, tubing to the regulator, and run that tubing to the diffuser? The on-board bubble counter has moisture in it. Do I let it dry? Put water in it? I was planning on running 2 bubbles/set into my diffuser (that level seems to be working right now for my tank), do I just continue to count the bubbles at the diffuser? TIA __________________ "... if any one specie does not become modified and improved in a corresponding degree with its competitors, it will soon be exterminated." - Charles Darwin

10-05-2006, 04:33 PM	#2
Purrbox Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Iowa USA Posts: 5,393	Looks like you got quite the deal there. Any one of those parts individually would run more that what you paid assuming they're in good working order. Check out this site for some great directions on how to set things up. The bubble counter would need to be filled with water to be able to use it. I believe you'd only fill it about 2/3 full. Don't use tap if you want to avoid getting mineral deposits in it. The reactore looks to be an in tank powered reactor and as such the bottom is supposed to be open like that. These are pretty effecient reactors even though they take up a fair amount of space in the tank. Have fun! __________________ ~Joy 10 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 5.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 2.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - Pico Planted Photo Log

10-05-2006, 05:00 PM	#3
rkilling1 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: NE ohio Posts: 1,775 Images: 50	this is the reactor: http://www.plantguild.com/html/power_reactors.html __________________ My 75 Gallon Planted Aquarium

10-06-2006, 09:18 AM	#4
7Enigma Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Havertown, PA Posts: 2,624 Images: 5	Wow $50 for that $20 at most piece(s). That's quite a nice markup! __________________ 20G High -Currently in tank: 1 checkered barb, 1 cory, 1 BN pleco, MTS, variety of platy (fry, juvi, adult), lots of plants. http://www.photolocker.net/images/7Enigma/milfoil2.jpg

10-06-2006, 02:07 PM	#5
Toirtis Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,768	One heck of a deal for $15...even used that should have sold for $75 or better. PS: evercl92...your sig quote is incorrect....Darwin used the correct "species", not the popular, but incorrect attempt at singularisation "specie". __________________ G. A. Christian Bilou, Zoologist/Writer Founder/Director, Reptile Rescue Alberta Vice-President, Calgary Aquarium Society www.calgaryaquariumsociety.com Polypterid/Primitive Fish/Ctenopoma/Catfish Fanatic 62 Aquariums, 2200+ total gallons, Aquarist since 1971.

10-06-2006, 02:16 PM	#7
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,871 Images: 7	For the bubble counter, I use distilled water so there isn't a mineral build-up over time. And fill it 2/3 full. __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

10-06-2006, 02:17 PM	#8
evercl92 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Groveport, OH Posts: 624 Images: 5	Do I need to fill the bubble counter? I was just checking the output from the tube in the tank? __________________ "... if any one specie does not become modified and improved in a corresponding degree with its competitors, it will soon be exterminated." - Charles Darwin

10-06-2006, 02:20 PM	#9
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,871 Images: 7	It's not mandatory if you have another way to adjust your CO2 output. But if you don't, the bubble counter is an excellent way to let you know how much CO2 is going to the tank. __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

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