(another) Nutrafin CO2 question

[daza]

another question on the Hagen Nutrafin co2 system I'm afraid - these are becoming very popular aren't they.

I fitted one of these last Saturday and the only place for the canister is on the floor.

I've read a couple of posts with people recommending the use of a check-valve to prevent the water siphoning out. I also read a couple of posts (elsewhere by googling) saying not to use them because the gas won't be enough to open the valve or that they just aren't needed.

What do people here reckon? The nutrafin instructions say it is okay to keep it on the floor.

Am I right in thinking that the siphon effect will happen when the mixture dies and gas is no longer being given off? If this does happen, won't the cannister and tube just fill with water and stay there - so care will only be needed when opening the canister? or am I mistaken there.

I have a valve, just not sure whether to fit it...and if I do, where in the line is the best place?

thanks.

 

[jimbooo]

it's more of a problem when you take the lid off. if it's below the tank then you'll get wet. i have never used them with the nutrafin units only on a diy one i made, the problem is your mixture runs out more quickly as the last few days worth are running at a very low pressure ie. not high enough to het through the valve.

the bigger problem with nutrafin units is getting the stuff to stay in the cannister, over do it and it'll shoot uo the tube and into the tank. (personal experience on 3 occasions)

 

[daza]

that's what i thought. So I should be okay if I just pick the canister up above the tank when changing it, and put it in a bucket.

thanks for the warning about the stuff coming out, something to watch out for!

 

[jimbooo]

should be but mine are at tank base level not below it so rig it all up empty at first and see what happens. you may want to wait for other responses in case anyone has any disaster stories, just in case i'm wrong.

 

[danski]

hi im currently using two nutrafin cannisters on my 29 gal (us) both below the tank with checkvalves and i have no problems at all. mine seem to be bubbling away. i might add that i havent tried it with the nutrafin packets since i switched to gf225's recipe. so i cant say for sure if the regular packets produce enough pressure for a check valve but they probably do. also with the check valves i dont worry bout a thing when changing the cannister. i just unscrew the top and remove the cannister now that i have the check valves. i put mine about 8 to 10 inches away from the lid.

 

[daza]

okay, thanks everyone. I have it up and running now and it's working okay. I can see a definite improvement in my vallis. I shall leave it alone until the mixture is due for replacement and then experiment with the valve.

Another question -
sometimes the ladder is working perfectly with bubbles flowing smoothly upwards, starting large and finishing very small by the time they leave the top.

But every now and then the bubbles start collecting on one of the rungs. Any idea why? Positioning angle seems to be imperitive in getting these things working, but can't see why it would work then stop. No snails or anything visible on the rungs.

 

[jimbooo]

okay, thanks everyone. I have it up and running now and it's working okay. I can see a definite improvement in my vallis. I shall leave it alone until the mixture is due for replacement and then experiment with the valve.

Another question -
sometimes the ladder is working perfectly with bubbles flowing smoothly upwards, starting large and finishing very small by the time they leave the top.

But every now and then the bubbles start collecting on one of the rungs. Any idea why? Positioning angle seems to be imperitive in getting these things working, but can't see why it would work then stop. No snails or anything visible on the rungs.

[snapback]859285[/snapback]​

give it a week and you'll get a coating of slime on the ladder, this will solve the bubble problem. just let it sort itself out.