CO2 Pressurised

[Angry_Platy]

I have been pricing aquarium specific CO2 units through online retailers etc. No stores have them around here. A basic one with a 500g CO2 cylinder will cost me $500.....and that includes CO2 cylinder, regulator, bubble counter, tubing etc. A little pricey I thought.

SOO...I rang a few gas places near me and they quoted me for a cylinder (rental) $110 per year, 6kg (!!!) carbon dioxide costing $30, a regulator (which I have to buy) costing $140 plus hosing (cheap).....so an initial outlay of $280 plus refills and rentals as required. A better option me thinks.

So based on what I got quoted, is there anything else I "NEED"....meaning, I know I can get solenoids to turn the CO2 off when the lights go off....which I don't plan on getting initially, I will do it myself.

So, the cylinder with gas, the regulator and the hosing. I allready have the diffusors....anything else I need???

 

[Rodders]

A one way valve just incase and a needle valve to control the flow.
Think that should be about it.

 

[Angry_Platy]

If I got this relulator/pressure reducer, would this serve the needs of a regulator and needle valve? I have just done quite a bit of reading and it seems that it is what it does

 

[Rodders]

The way I understood it was you adjust the pressure down to a working pressure, 10-20 psi, then controlled the flow with a needle valve.
Could be wrong though ???

 

[Jen]

If I got this relulator/pressure reducer, would this serve the needs of a regulator and needle valve? I have just done quite a bit of reading and it seems that it is what it does 

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As long as the regulator has 2 clocks on it, and a dial near the output (the needle valve) You'll be fine.

Be careful with the one way valve. I used just a normal cheap one from the fish store (for air pump) and the pressure from the tank was too great causing it to get stuck all the time. Keep in mind that I was trying to get a pressure of 10psi or less. I've been away for 2 weeks, so I turned it off, but I need to get out there looking for a new one before I start up my tank

 

[zig]

Yes that looks fine AP the needle valve is included with the regulator, you will need co2 proof hosing, conventional silicon hosing will leak co2, ask about this where you rent the cylinder, you will also need a check valve to stop water from siphoning back into the needle valve, its a precaution more than anything else.