Pressurized co2 help

[nathey6]

I have been researching this for quite a while and I have decided that I will get a Milwaukee MA957. But I would like to know what diffuser to use. And I wanted to know if I should get a 5 lb or 10 lb tank and how long they will last at 1 bubble per second. Right low, I have a 10 gallon tank, but this summer, I will be upgrading to a 55 gallon so will this system be ok for both tanks? will I have to do more than 1 bubble per second if it is in a 55 gallon? Also, where do I fill the tank up? Will a paintball place do it, or do I need to go to a special place? Thanks!

 

[nathey6]

by the way, it has a built-in solenoid so it will only run for about 10 hours a day.

 

[blert]

Not sure if they are national but look for a company called AirGas or Boggs Gases. Call your local welding shop and ask them where a good place to get the tank filled would be. A paintball shop might be able to do it but it would cost you much more than getting it from a big gas company instead.

 

[Mr.Pleco]

I got a 20lb tank and it was about $26 to swap/fill up at Air Gas.

I still haven't figured out bps for my 150g..I should probably get on that

 

[pleechford]

I have the Milwaukee regulator on a 5 lb tank with a nano glass diffuser. I run it 24/7 right now because my check valve broke so it needs constant pressure until I get another. I filled my 5 lb tank jan 13 and the gauge has barely gone down. It seems like this is full is going to last a long time!

 

[mfdrookie516]

The MA957 has a built in check valve on the bubble counter, if you got the bubble counter with it. I didn't have a check valve on mine the majority of the time it was running.

I used a DIY inline reactor hooked to my canister. I really liked that it provided 100% diffusion, and no bubbles entered the tank.

 

[blert]

Whatever you do never let them swap your cylinder. If you buy a nice new one for yourself you do not want one of the ugly painted rusty husks they will swap you. The guy at my local AirGas would only swap so I laughed at him and went to Boggs (where he gets his filled). Write your name and phone number on it with a Sharpy (or better yet use paint) to keep them from even asking you if you want to swap. Not sure if they will fill a cylinder that has been etched or I would etch my info into it.
And don't rent a cylinder from them either. It's cheaper to buy your own new one and it looks a lot better.

+1 on the DIY inline reactor. Cheap and very easy to build and works flawlessly.

 

[nathey6]

do you have instructions for the inline reactor?

 

[mfdrookie516]

Post 66 in my build thread has a fairly decent guide on it. One thing I'd change is to use 90 degree barbs instead of straight barbs.

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forum...lationship-planted-tank-journal-141428-3.html

 

[blert]

Google is your friend. Just search "DIY inline co2 reactor".

Here's what I used:
2" PVC, length of 14",
Two 30deg elbows,
Two end caps with one inch threaded holes,
Two 3/4" barbs,
One 2" PVC shower drain screen,
Twenty 1" bio balls.

Goes together like so top to bottom:
Barb - end cap - elbow - pipe - bio balls - shower screen - elbow - end cap - barb.

The screen is to keep the bio balls from slipping into the bottom outlet and plugging it up and stopping the flow. Build from bottom up as you must drill a small hole in the pipe about two inches from the top to pull your CO2 line through.

 

[pleechford]

The MA957 has a built in check valve on the bubble counter, if you got the bubble counter with it. I didn't have a check valve on mine the majority of the time it was running.

I used a DIY inline reactor hooked to my canister. I really liked that it provided 100% diffusion, and no bubbles entered the tank.

I had nooo idea about that! Sweet! Now I can put my co2 on a timer with out worrying haha.

 

[nathey6]

Sorry, I'm kind of a noob, but I don't see the point of a reactor, or how it works.

 

[Mr.Pleco]

Sorry, I'm kind of a noob, but I don't see the point of a reactor, or how it works.

It's just there to thoroughly break down the co2 bubbles so they don't make it to the surface and pop.

With a reactor you get 100% dissolved.

My DIY inline reactor works great

 

[nathey6]

Ok, cool