1 - First make sure the regulator (the thing with the dials) is closed (i.e. turn it fully to - )
2 - Screw the needle valve into the regulator and fully close it (turn to -)
3 - Connect a small amount (2"-6") of CO2 hose to the needle valve and tighten up.
4 - Connect the other end of the hose to the side of the solenoid valve that has the bottom of the arrow on it and tighten it up.
5 - Connect the rest of your hose to side of the solenoid that has the point of the arrow and tighten.
6 - Connect the other end of this hose to your bubble counter/diffusor method.
Make sure all items are screwed on tightly (i.e. the needle valve into the regulator front) and that both the regulator and needle valve are turned to -
7 - plug the solenoid valve into the timer (or the normal socket if don't have one) set the timer to come on 1 hour before lights on, and to go off 1 hour before lights off.
Now the whole system is ready for you to connect up and start fine tuning it.
8 - Use the override switch on your timer to turn the solenoid on. (or turn the plug on)
9 - screw the regulator onto the cannister tightly but do not overtighten (I use disposable cannisters so I don't know what is tight or overtight on refillable cannisters)
Once you are happy that everything is connected and ready to go. Take a look at the dials.
One should read between 50 and 70 bar. This gauge tells you the cylinder pressure i.e. if the cannister is full or empty.
The other which has smaller numbers on it should read 0. This gauge is the flow pressure (output pressure)
If you have a high reading of cylinder pressure and 0 on the flow pressure then you are ready to play.
10 - Open the regulator (turn to + ) until the flow gauge is reading 1.5 - 2. Leave it for a minute because it may go up and then slowly down again. If it does open it some more and keep repeating until it remains steady.
11 - Open the needle valve 1 full turn and check your bubble counter. It will initially go mad but after a minute or 2 should settle and you will know your bubble count.
Try and get the bubble counter to about 1bps to start with and monitor your drop checker/fish to see where you stand on the ppm front.
Dependant on your plants uptake, lighting, tank size, diffusion method, circulation and other parameters you will need to adjust your bps accordingly (probably upward) This is why when people ask "what bubble rate should I have". The answer is normally WE DON'T KNOW.
Good Luck with the setup and adjustments.
EDIT: Check that the regulator and needle valve are tight at regular intervals because they can sometimes loosen over time.
Dependant on your regulator and needle valve you should change the cylinder as soon as you see the cylinder pressure dropping as there have been cases of the system 'dumping' all the remaining CO2 when it gets to this stage. Better to be safe than sorry and I don't know which brands/types do or don't do this.
Let us know how you get on
Andy
