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I got my CO2 canister at a local welding supply. It also looked like they had regulators there as well. However, I'm lucky enough to work at a good fish store and got my regulator at cost. Now that I've gotten the pressurized setup going, I'd never go back.

As for the plants - I'm sure it's the drastic change of CO2 levels. They hate that.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

hmm alright I'll see what I can find in the phone book. Do they just sell them? or do i have to request for one.

also what type of equipment will I need to get a system running?

Megil,

I asked in my local hardware shop where there might be a welding supply store near by and they gave me the name of a good store.

As to what you may need:

- a bottle, given your small tank size you for sure need nothing more than 5 lbs, smaller will work as well.
- a regulator, I would suggest you get one with at least one meter (high pressure to tell you how much is left in the tank), preferably 2 meters (second is the low pressure you pass forward into the CO2 system).
- If you want your CO2 system to automatically start/stop, you would need a solenoid and a timer (for the times when you are on vacation etc.).
- A valve to avoid the tank water damaging your regulator when turned off.
- A needle valve to adjust the bubble count.
- A bubble counter so you see how much CO2 you add to the tank.
- A diffuser or reactor of some sort (simple glass diffuser, ladder, power reactor, etc.).

Hope this helps,

Ingo

PS: you sure have a lot of light on your tank

Last edited by LITTLE_FISH at 28-Oct-2005 07:18

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

hmm aquabotanic has a double gauge reglator, solenoid, bubble counter, and needle valve for $73 is that a good price?

I'm also thinking of purchasing one of those power reactors like the one you and nowherman have.

and do i just get like regular CO2 resistant tubing like the kind you use for DIY, or do I need a different kind of tubing?

Last edited by Megil Tel'Zeke at 28-Oct-2005 09:41

Well I moved my planted 20G to college with me, where as expected shortly after went into a bit of a shock. at first I thought nothing of it, but the algae would not go away and the plants have degraded much. Need less to say the tank no longer even looks like this anymore:


the plants on the right side of the picture have nearly all perished, and the crypts on the left have been struggling. the tigerlotus at the bottom has retreated and the leaves are al close to the substrate about 1/2" long.

I'm sure it started as shock from the change in water chemistry, but I also forgot to bring down my DIY CO2 to college. The ovbious conclusion is that I need to dose CO2 once more.

Seeing as I can now go either compressed or DIY, I am thinking compressed may be a good choice, since there are 6.5WPG (130W 6500K aqualife compact flourescents). What all do I need for a compressed CO2 system? and also where is a good place to go get CO2 canisters from?

also I'll probably be geting an external canister soon, so that corner should open up now.

Last edited by Megil Tel'Zeke at 27-Oct-2005 18:08[/font]

Last edited by Megil Tel'Zeke at 28-Oct-2005 09:21

alright I tested my tank water this morning, these are my results:

pH:7.4
KH: 5* or 89.5ppm
GH: ? (not sure i tested it several times and got anywhere from 2-6dGH)
Ammonia: 0ppm
NitrIte: oppm
NitrAte: 6ppm
Phosphates: 0.5ppm (using a Seachem test, not sure on the result. any other brands you would recommend?)

Ferts used: KNO3(green light stump remover), PO4(fleet enema)

Eheim has been ordered.

Last edited by Megil Tel'Zeke at 30-Oct-2005 12:39

Last edited by Megil Tel'Zeke at 30-Oct-2005 12:47

Yeah I made the hole a tiny bit smaller than the co2 tubing. Then I jammed the tubing into the hole, for a nice tight fit.

Last edited by mattyboombatty at 30-Oct-2005 08:36

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

alright that's what I needed to know, now I know what all I need to get thanks
Did you just stick it in the whole? I was thinking of using one of those airline connectors.

Last edited by Megil Tel'Zeke at 29-Oct-2005 23:58

same, if a tiny bit bigger than regular airline tubing.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

alright looking at making this DIy reactor, I have a lsit and drawing of teh parts. I need to know what is the diameter of the CO2 tubing?

I just estimated on that price . I have a digital timer with an internal battery so the time isn't reset when the power goes. I might get one like it for my CO2 unit. it was around $20 or somewhere around there. And the powerstrip I will get a simple one which probably won't be more than $10, so it mroe like $30 for the two.

I also got my CO2 tank for about $75.

Your list sounds good, got the priorities right with the filter first. I think you'll be happy with the external reactor. I put some old fake plant leaves in mine, works great.

Timer and powerstrip: $20-40

. That sounds a little expensive though - like the gov't spending $3,000 on a toilet seat. Unless you are going for one of those really nice wavemaker powerstrip/timer things(which I don't know why you would).

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Alright so this is the cost for the items so far.

"TOP GUN" Co2 Regulator Set: $99.99+shipping
DIY inline reactor: ~$15-20
Eheim Classic 2213: $63.99(with mdia and spraybar)
CO2 tank(5lb): $75-$100
Timer and powerstrip: $20-40
Total Cost: $273.98-308.98

alright so I am going to divide this over thre weeks, this week I will purchase:

Eheim 2213
DIY reactor
powerstrip and stuff
and I will shop for CO2 tanks.

then after I get paid (at least in 1 week) I will purchase the regulator set and probably the CO2 tank.

how does this sound?

Along with this I am purchasing some anubias nana petite and minimoss for my driftwod. I will buy the more demanding plants after the CO2 is setup.

Many places will rent the tanks to you, so look around. Those would be easier to fill because you just trade the tank out. Some won't fill other tanks, even, so you have to rent theirs anyway.

Megil,

Cool, sounds actually like fun.

About the canister prices: tetratech paid about $75 for a full 5lbs bottle, in my area it was close to $100 for the same deal (and his bottle is nice and shiny while mine is dull gray .

tetratech and I don't live too far away from each other (maybe 60 miles) so some reseacrh might help you to save some money.

Ingo

Last edited by LITTLE_FISH at 29-Oct-2005 03:17

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Alright I have decided to try DIY inline reactor, simply because I can't blow all my money on the CO2 gig. I figure I can get all teh supplies at lowe's anyway. The only tool I won't have is a drill. I am not sure how to bypass that obstacle since I don't want to buy a drill set, but I guess it could come in handy later.

Also what do I use for the filler? I am guessing I could get bioballs for pretty cheap in the pond section?

also how much were your CO2 canisters? just need a guesstimate.

Last edited by Megil Tel'Zeke at 28-Oct-2005 22:45

Hmm I am in a dorm so I don't have any supplies to do DIY stuff ATM. I suppose I could buy an external inline reactor, would probably cost as much as the power reactor. I'll look around and see what I can find.

hmm mayb not the only external reactor I could find was $79.99 and 15" long. Bit large for my tank, I think I'll ust go with the small powered reactor.

Last edited by Megil Tel'Zeke at 28-Oct-2005 14:29

Megil,

Yup, that’s the one I have as well, except that mine is modified to have a built in check valve (and this one doesn’t).

The mini reactor looks good too.

And Matty says it right, with tubing you are good to go.

They mention on that site that “We also have C02 grade black tubing and a brass check valve available, in stock” so you could get all (except the bottle) from there.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Yep, that's a good regulator, the one I have. If you are going to get a canister filter you should just make an external reactor. It really cleans up the inside of the tank. If I can do it, it's not that hard. [link=Here]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/Planted%20Aquaria/52902_4.html" style="COLOR: #FFD700[/link] is a link to my tank log that shows you what I got and how I put it together.

I don't believe you will need anything else. A CO2 tank, a regulator, a reactor, and some CO2 tubing (which usually comes with the regulator). Unless your water is VERY soft you shouldn't need anything to buffer the water.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

here

They also have a miniature reactor on the site that might be better for my tank. (yes i can see why it would be to big)

Alright if I get the one from aquariumplants.com, the miniature power reactor of aquabotanic, and I find a welding place to get a CO2 tank from, what else will I need?

I have to go to work now, but when I get back, I'll run tests on the water and post that up, since I am assuming you will need to know my parameters t determine if i need a buffering substance or not.

Last edited by Megil Tel'Zeke at 28-Oct-2005 10:39