pressurized c02

[kenneth_kpe]

Okay im gonna start to invest more with my aquarium... so im gonna go get a pressurized tank and inject c02 using a pressurized container... so heres the thing... i dont know anything about these pressurized systems... and i want to gather the parts by myself rather then purchase a branded kit...

so here it goes!!
what are the components of a pressurized c02 system ? aside from the obvious ones...

the tank and the pressure gauze ??

(btw a beer keg inspired me into getting a pressurized system )

 

[BigC]

You would probably save yourself some money if you bought your pressurised CO2 equipment as a kit. I bought a JBL Profi. setup and wanted to add a valve to the system. The valve cost half as much again as the whole setup.

 

[Dorkhedeos]

go to paintball or a sporting good store. then get a 20oz co2 tank. get a needle valve and pay them to install it, this is the step you dont want to be cheap on, or you can end up with a room full of broken stuff. fill it up, it should cost around $4. get a regulator and find a way to attach an airline to it, or just use a paintball hose. you now have a pressureized system for just about $40, unless you get a bigger tank. im not sure how long this lasts, but it should only cost about $4 dollar a fill, which isnt too bad. when you ask them to fill it, ask them to chill it, this will give you more co2. if you decide this system of injecting co2 isnt good, you can always use the tank for paintball

 

[smithrc]

I've put my system to gether myself... and its only been marginly cheaper than some of the kits....

I've got a duel gague regulator and needle valve. It was from the local planted tank specilist and it fits the disposable canisters. (this was the expensive bit) £50

I got a CO2 solenoid from ebay for £26 (brand new)

The reactor is an aquamedic 500 - £30

the gas canisters ar £8 for the 390g from welding suppliers

Total £114 all in

However dennerle do a complete system for £130 - With a CO2 permanent test kit included (but its only a ladder reactor)

 

[xxSarahxx]

Loving the beer keg remark!!

 

[kenneth_kpe]

i see i see, il try to scavenge for parts here,... who knows im in the philippines ! a lot of things are really cheap here ...

il also contact my friend whos into a lot of paintball

 

[Yenko]

go to paintball or a sporting good store. then get a 20oz co2 tank. get a needle valve and pay them to install it, this is the step you dont want to be cheap on, or you can end up with a room full of broken stuff. fill it up, it should cost around $4. get a regulator and find a way to attach an airline to it, or just use a paintball hose. you now have a pressureized system for just about $40, unless you get a bigger tank. im not sure how long this lasts, but it should only cost about $4 dollar a fill, which isnt too bad. when you ask them to fill it, ask them to chill it, this will give you more co2. if you decide this system of injecting co2 isnt good, you can always use the tank for paintball

[snapback]864849[/snapback]​

This is a good idea; except it's better just to lease a 5 or 10 lb canister. When you buy it for the first time you pay for the canister and CO2; when you return it you get your money back for the canister. And, if you go to a beer store; the CO2 tanks already have regulators that drop the pressure enough for a needle valve, which means you only need to buy a needle valve and some CO2-resistant tubing, which is not expensive since it is downstream from the needlevalve and does not have to resist a significant pressure.

Oh, and don't buy a reactor - just feed the line from your needle valve into your filter; where the impeller will diffuse the CO2 for you.

 

[kenneth_kpe]

i see i see, is the c-2 resistant tubing really a big requirement ??? im just using normal plastic and silicone tubing right now hmmm il go check on the paintaball thing

 

[smithrc]

we use normal air line.

 

[Yenko]

i see i see, is the c-2 resistant tubing really a big requirement ??? im just using normal plastic and silicone tubing right now hmmm il go check on the paintaball thing

[snapback]872905[/snapback]​

Not really, but CO2 tubing only costs 10% more than regular airline at my LFS (Airline lasts 3-4 years with CO2, not a big deal), but the CO2-resistant tubing is more flexible and easier to work with, so I use it for air as well as CO2.

 

[Dorkhedeos]

silicone air line works too

 

[kenneth_kpe]

hmm i dont think its easy to look for c02 resistant tubing here so i guess if there is supply it would cost significantly more haha il stick with the silicone tubes first