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Interesting but you may want to forget the timer as the SMS 122 can control a solenoid to shut down the CO2 if the pH drops below your set point. The solenoid cost is $45. Check the unit here: http://www.automatedaquariums.com/mw_s122.htm

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"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

Tetratech, I'm currently in the process of completing my external reactor. I can't wait to remove the one I have from the tank. It's quite the eyesore and takes up valuable space. I recently bought a canister filter for this purpose, but you can use a powerhead instead. Pretty soon the only things I'll have in my tank are the Fluval input and output and the heater. Can't wait. I took some pictures and saved the receipt from home depot if you have questions.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

I too have heard of a pretty high fail rate with JBJ regulators. I would go Milwaukee or the aquariumplants.com "Top Gun" reg. Its basically a Milwaukee that they have added stuff too and it still retains the warantee through the manufacturer.




http://aquariumplant.com/cgi-bin/cart/pr007.html

Last edited by kmpaton at 16-Aug-2005 11:34

All good points. I'm doing some DD on them now.

Here is the JBJ website:
http://www.jbjlighting.com

They do list the aquatic-store as one of their suppliers.

Last edited by tetratech at 16-Aug-2005 11:22

They also make the Nanocubes. I've heard people complaining of those leaking. ]:|

Last edited by tetratech at 16-Aug-2005 11:23

My Scapes

Tetra and Bensaf,

I don’t want to spoil the find, but I do it anyway

I really don’t remember, but isn’t JBJ a low end quality company?

Does anyone else have any experience with products from this firm?

Ingo

EDIT: What's the difference between a copper and a brass construction? Doesn't copper leak?

Last edited by LITTLE_FISH at 16-Aug-2005 10:51

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

That's one hell of a price

Yep all you'll need is the tank and reactor.

I wouldn't use the ladder - not very efficient for pressurised.Doesn't churn up and dissolve the bubbles effectively. The reactor can make or break the system.

The reactor in the other set is pretty good and you can buy as a stand alone

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Littlefish:

If this website checks out I think I'm going to buy this.


tetratech attached this image:


It includes everything you see. It's a total of $109.00 with the shipping. The only thing I need to add is the diffusor/reactor and the tank. I do have a ladder diffusor from my old Nutrafin kit and the co2 tank I'll buy locally.

Last edited by tetratech at 16-Aug-2005 09:15[/font]

My Scapes

Reno,

- good observation Tetra

That is some odd page; they host the “real” site in a small frame.

Here is the [link=Direct Link]http://Aquatic-store.com" style="COLOR: #ff6633[/link] to the target site. I have seen this company’s web site a few times, but I got always turned off by its unprofessional make-up.

Did you ever buy something from them?

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Bensaf:

So all I really need is:

Regulator (2 gauge)
Tubing
Needle valve
Bubble counter
Reactor (actually have Nutrafin Bubble Ladder from kit)
Cansister (5 lb is too tall, might have to go with 2.5 lb.
There is no other equipment. The regulator will hook up to the cansister, etc.

*Thank nutraFin ladder is good enough or would I be short changing myself. I actually would prefer an external reactor because not sure of eventual landscaping (high, low, etc.)

Reno:
Good link, what's with the girl and the stereo equipment?







Last edited by tetratech at 16-Aug-2005 07:35

My Scapes

Tetra,

Check out this site too.

http://www.co2-canisters.com/

Tetra,

Sorry know nothing about backyard gardening, never grew a thing in my life 'til I got into aquariums ! Don't even have a backyard being an apartment dweller. ketghgh is your man for that stuff.

Remember a pressurized system, even a basic one, is going to be nowhere near as unstable as a DIY setup. I just use a basic set up regulator, needle valve, bubble counter and reactor.I leave it on 24/7. Once you've got the bubble count set to give you enough Co2 going in to reach the desired pH level, it never needs to be touched again. There is a minor swing at night when the plants switch over to Co2 production but nothing that wouldn't be seen in any planted tank.Certainly nothing like the swings from an unstable DIY setup.
5lb should be fine, will last a few months between refills. Got mine from a local welding gas supplier, 5 mins drive from home."Co2 gas cylinder" in Indonesian was a new phrase for me, but got by They refill too.

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Wow, sorry to hear about your floor situation. I guess with 125 gallons at what is it 8 to 9 lbs per gallon, you better make sure that floor is even.

Your right, not many options, I'm just deciding if I should be lazy and purchase the complete system from Aquarium Plants for $239 plus $49 shipping plus I need to purchase a tank for about $40. or should I get the pieces al carte [link=http:// www.plantedtank.net/pressurizedco2.html]http:// www.plantedtank.net/pressurizedco2.html[/link]
and save some money.

Has anyone ordered from this site:
http://www.plantguild.com/html/co2_systems.html

Last edited by tetratech at 15-Aug-2005 15:26

My Scapes

Tetra,

Yeah, I am still on the fence. I have a few other issues, like an [link=uneven floor]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/Technical%20Tinkering/62784.html?200508141805" style="COLOR: #ff6633[/link] and new electricity, which need to be resolved first.

I don’t think that you would create overkill with any of the systems we talked about so far, except for the price maybe . The smaller the tank, the less bubbles you would infuse in order to achieve the same result.

I would say it’s better to be on the safe side than sorry.

Just hypothetically, what other options would be there? A 72G is for sure too big for a DIY. These carbon plate thingies seem to be unstable (from what I have heard). So a “normal” CO2 system seems to be the best solution. How many gadgets you buy with it (reactor, solenoid, timer, and what not) depends on your willingness to spend the $$$. For me, the last thing I want is a half-hearted attempt at CO2 and later “upgrade” to a real system by discarding the old one and buying the new one that I should have bought in the first place. You know what I mean?

Ingo

PS: I am not in a rush to make a decision; I actually enjoy the extension until I will have the tank as it gives me more time to play with various possibilities. And in addition, hopefully you will have your system in place before I buy mine and I can learn from you how to set it all up properly

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Tetra,

Take a look at [link=This Post]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/Planted%20Aquaria/61685.html" style="COLOR: #ff6633[/link] as it talks about the unit above.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Anyone know anything about this system?
I'm looking to move from diy to pressurized for my 46gallon

http://aquariumplant.com/cgi-bin/cart/pr800.html

My Scapes

Tetra,

Darn, I was hoping to keep this source a secret]:|. No seriously, I think it is a great unit. I don’t mind the extra timer as I could use it for lights or something not even tank related. You could also check the individual pieces in their catalog, if I am not mistaken then they sell for the same price individually than the whole unit when added up.

You sure got my blessings, I will most likely get either the same or the one for $10 more (has a check valve built in).

Hope this helps,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

LittleFish,

We'll makes me feel better that we're both in this together. I'll do my usual DD.

Bob,

Interesting point. Anyone know what I should like for in a canister to complete the system.

Last edited by tetratech at 13-Aug-2005 18:59

My Scapes

Any other comments on this co2 system.


http://aquariumplant.com/cgi-bin/cart/pr800.html

Last edited by tetratech at 14-Aug-2005 20:19

My Scapes

It's a very nice system. If you want to spend the money.

The pH controller and solenoid are things I would consider luxury add ons. Nice, but definately not neccessary. Setting up the bubble rate and leaving the system on 24hrs works just as well, just uses more CO2. Which wastes gas, but its $5 a refill here.

Not that I wouldn't like a system like that but the thought of the wife coming at me with a baseball bat scares me. A $5 refill every few months keeps the baseball bat out of range of my head

If you have the money to spend go ahead, if you're on a tighter budget there's cheaper options.

Then again Tetra if you do have the money to spare I might start charging you a consultancy fee

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Tetra,

I've heard the JBJ and Milwaukee regulators are the best. I'm considering going to a pressurized system and I also agree that the controller is a luxury add-on and maybe the solenoid, but if you've got the money, go for it. Even with the controller, I think you'd want to establish a bubble count that will maintain a fairly consistent CO2 level that won't need too much help from the controller. I envision the controller as insurance against possible problems with the regulator or complacency on my part. I've considered this regulator:

http://aquariumplant.com/cgi-bin/cart/pr007.html

Check with local welding supply stores for tanks and gas. 2.5 or 5lb will work, just depends on how often you want to refill it.

Also, I've ordered from aquariumplant.com before and they're good and fast.