Aquamas Again

[2pods]

Thanks for the sympathy

I seem to be the Co2 whipping boy for this month

I think now that I have it going (I'll know if it's OK if the FE doesn't empty this week), I've noticed that the while the needle valve seems accurate, there is always a "double bubble" or a missed one now and again.
This wasn't happening originally with their bottle

It could be because I'm using one of the original black rings from the needle valve that we were told to replace with the red ones on the adaptor for the solenoid, as my red one disintegrated after being tightened enough to stop soap bubbles.

As a matter of interest, I phoned all the shops listed on the PFK website for Glasgow about filling Co2 bottles, I think there was one- and that did Dennerle only.

I think Co2 is not as common as PFK makes out

Peter

How do you put the Solenoid on the tubing ?

heres a pic of mine

U should have the screw bits for the solenoid use these to connect the tubing. Tighten it tight.

Arrgh!
I should have thought of that (mind you, I am already using a black ring, so dog knows what state it's in)

Blue Acara, I can't speak for the internal reactor as I have the external one which seems Ok.

Peter

 

[severn]

hope you dont mind me just throwing this in

my experience of aquamas was not good...maybe largely due to my inexperince seting it up or possibly that my equipment was faulty ..

2 weeks after i set it up i came back from work and fish were dying due to the co2 going mad and pumping out like crazy..
i took the system to taunton aqaurium centre...the co2 bottle had frozen and it seems the regulator was missing the washer that connects to the bottle [i guess i must have lost this..]
they showed me the aqua medic regulator that they sell...it felt really good..seemed to be alot more heavy and solid feeling.
my real point is that when i set the system it was giving out about 1 bubble per second and then it badly malfunctioned in some way.

safety stability and relaibility is really what u need with co2 systems..for one reason or another obviuosly i didnt get this ..
im considering trying to get the co2 bottle replaced...not sure if i have a guarentee with this ?

im still considering a co2 system especially since i spent all the money in upgrading my lighting etc.
thats why it would be great if more people could give me feedback on their experinces with the variuos types of equipment...

cheers
jon

 

[2pods]

hope you dont mind me just throwing this in

my experience of aquamas was not good...maybe largely due to my inexperince seting it up or possibly that my equipment was faulty ..

2 weeks after i set it up i came back from work and fish were dying due to the co2 going mad and pumping out like crazy..
i took the system to taunton aqaurium centre...the co2 bottle had frozen and it seems the regulator was missing the washer that connects to the bottle [i guess i must have lost this..]
they showed me the aqua medic regulator that they sell...it felt really good..seemed to be alot more heavy and solid feeling.
my real point is that when i set the system it was giving out about 1 bubble per second and then it badly malfunctioned in some way.

safety stability and relaibility is really what u need with co2 systems..for one reason or another obviuosly i didnt get this ..
im considering trying to get the co2 bottle replaced...not sure if i have a guarentee with this ?

im still considering a co2 system especially since i spent all the money in upgrading my lighting etc.
thats why it would be great if more people could give me feedback on their experinces with the variuos types of equipment...

cheers
jon

I'm sorry about your fish.

Funnily enough, the Air Products guy I took the Aquamas reg to said it was missing one too.
Did they mean a clear plastic washer, cos thats the only thing I can see on mine ?
(If they did, I didn't take mine to AP in case I did lose it.)

So far all I have had back from Aquamas has been advice to check for leaks.
I don't think they're likely to replace my bottle, but I'd like all the fibre rings replaced at least.

I'd also like to know for definite what this washer is, and what it looks like ?

I'm currently connected to a 2kg FE and, so far (touches all wood and MDF in the vicinity) it seems OK.


There are quite a few of us with stuff from Aquamas, and it has been recommended quite often.
I thought I was just unlucky ?
Maybe not.

Peter

 

[Themuleous]

When I first got a reg from Aquamas it was excellent, but since then Ive noticed they've changes it to a different type. But that doesn't excuse the crappy responses people are getting or the fact that it doesn't seem to work properly. I now use this seller on ebay and have no complaints as yet. This isn't much help to people who've already got a kit but hopefully people will start to move away from aquamas they certainly aren't living up to their feedback rating.

Have you left feedback already Peter?

 

[2pods]

When I first got a reg from Aquamas it was excellent, but since then Ive noticed they've changes it to a different type. But that doesn't excuse the crappy responses people are getting or the fact that it doesn't seem to work properly. I now use this seller on ebay and have no complaints as yet. This isn't much help to people who've already got a kit but hopefully people will start to move away from aquamas they certainly aren't living up to their feedback rating.

Have you left feedback already Peter?

Unfortunately I'd just left positive feedback and the day afterwards all the problems started.
Funnily enough, that was the seller I was going to go with originally

Thems the breaks

Peter

 

[Dave Spencer]

2 weeks after i set it up i came back from work and fish were dying due to the co2 going mad and pumping out like crazy..
i took the system to taunton aqaurium centre...the co2 bottle had frozen and it seems the regulator was missing the washer that connects to the bottle [i guess i must have lost this..]

To be fair, on a high pressure system without that seal, you are bound to get a leak. The reason it was pumping in to your tank like mad was because this reg, like some others I have heard about, will dump the remainder of the cylinder in to your tank unregulated once the cylinder pressure starts to get low.

I had this happen to me when the seal between my needle valve and solenoid fitting failed. The bottle contents rapidly leaked to atmosphere, and when the pressure was low enough the remainder was dumped in to my tank. Fortunately, I don`t have fish in there at the moment.

All I can recommend to people is carry out a thorough leak check before use and, once you notice the cylinder pressure is starting to fall noticeably below 50 Bar, change the cylinder. Aquamas and Luna Pet regulators are a bit industrial looking, but once they have been assembled correctly they should last forever. Just take care of the seals and, as a precaution, try and source some spares.

Dave.

 

[sophos9]

50 bar? Jesus... Super industrial

I read to keep your reg set in operation at 1bar max to eliminate the bottle contents escaping when low...

 

[Dave Spencer]

50 bar? Jesus... Super industrial

I read to keep your reg set in operation at 1bar max to eliminate the bottle contents escaping when low...

The 50 Bar is the cylinder pressure. The 1 Bar is the regulated pressure that goes to the diffuser.

 

[2pods]

Don't like the sound of dumping Co2 at all, oh no.

Are there other regs which won't do this ?

Dave, where can spares be bought (I'm thinking Homebase plumbing section here), and what are we asking for ?
y'know names, sizes, etc.

Peter

 

[sophos9]

The 50 Bar is the cylinder pressure. The 1 Bar is the regulated pressure that goes to the diffuser.

Sorry, too much chocolate...