Co2 Set Recommendations

[mantis147]

Im looking to upgrade from my nutrafin units to pressurised co2, can anyone recommend a good make and supplier for these? Ive had a look around and seen some JBL units but dont know if they are any good some people have mentioned getting the bottle & guages from a welding supplier but im not sure which to go for

Any help would be appreciated!!!

 

[DarkSeraph]

I have no clue on a set, but I went with putting it all together myself and it was really easy.

I went with a regulator off ebay just like this one.
Local welding store had a 5lb co2 tank for $51.
A 8ft section of normal air tubing into my filter.

I bought a Azoo diffuser, but I doubt I'll ever use it. I'd be happy to sell it to you lol

 

[simonbrown403]

I would look on eBay for you regulator, you can buy one from hong kong i think, with a solenoid attached to it for about £70 with postage and packing.

The bottle you can get from bear gas/welding supplier's, my local dose a 5year lease on a 3.5kg bottle for about £30/40mark then £5 a fill but with a bottle that size it will last about 6months to a year depending on your water and tank size.

The diffuser is a matter of choice, the cheapest option is to push it up the intake of your filter and let the impeller mix the co2 with the water.
or a diffuser will cost about £10 upwards depending on the type you want.

 

[mantis147]

Ive found this regulator Deltec CO2 Twin Guage Regulator (bottom of the page)

http/www.ultimateaquatics.co.uk/cgi-bin/...tml%23a104#a104

Seems quite good, just would need to find a co2 bottle to go with it.

What do you think?

 

[DarkSeraph]

That would work fine, but you would still need a bubble counter, & check valve.

 

[mantis147]

That would work fine, but you would still need a bubble counter, & check valve.

When you say check valve, do you mean solenoid valve?

 

[NAL]

Hi,

The check valve is downstream from the regulator and stops water siphoning back into the regulator when the gas is switched off. The check valve would also therefore be downstream of any solenoid you had to switch CO2 off at night.

I've used the JBL sets and they are very good for the money and widely available (good when you need to refill the bottles often). They have dual gauges so you can monitor the bottle pressure and the working pressure and the solenoid is also straightforward to fit to the regulator. I've had no problems. I've also used a Dennerle system with disposable bottles. Nice build quality and the solenoid is quite smart too, with a little green indicator to show when it is open. The thing people often end up changing is the diffusor-the JBL one in particular is quite an ugly piece of kit to have in the tank (does the job though).

Nick

 

[mantis147]

Hi,

The check valve is downstream from the regulator and stops water siphoning back into the regulator when the gas is switched off. The check valve would also therefore be downstream of any solenoid you had to switch CO2 off at night.

I've used the JBL sets and they are very good for the money and widely available (good when you need to refill the bottles often). They have dual gauges so you can monitor the bottle pressure and the working pressure and the solenoid is also straightforward to fit to the regulator. I've had no problems. I've also used a Dennerle system with disposable bottles. Nice build quality and the solenoid is quite smart too, with a little green indicator to show when it is open. The thing people often end up changing is the diffusor-the JBL one in particular is quite an ugly piece of kit to have in the tank (does the job though).

Nick

Thanks for the info Nick!! Which JBL system did you use?

Ive just priced a gas bottle from my local weld supplier they quoted £10.12 to pick one up 21p per day to lease the bottle and £19.74 to refill it, Seems ok to me! will have to measure the space for the bottle though its 655mm high 176mm wide and weighs 7.2kgs. That would probably last me 2 years!!

 

[NAL]

I have set 2 with the solendoid-the best set of the 3 available in my opinion. I'm using 500 g standard bottles, although refills around here have just gone up from ~£9 to £13.50!! I may look into getting a bigger bottle! I use a ceramic in tank diffuser (Dennerle micro-perler).

You're right though-that bottle should last ages!

Nick

 

[mantis147]

I have set 2 with the solendoid-the best set of the 3 available in my opinion. I'm using 500 g standard bottles, although refills around here have just gone up from ~£9 to £13.50!! I may look into getting a bigger bottle! I use a ceramic in tank diffuser (Dennerle micro-perler).

You're right though-that bottle should last ages!

Nick

How long does the 500g last Nick?

Ive just bought a full system off ebay from Germany , comprises of a 500g bottle, solenoid, diffuser, hose & a check valve. I paid 97.50euros total inc. delivery which is around £65.00! Bargain

this is the same one on a buy now option http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Komplette-CO2-Anlage...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[NAL]

Good job on that! I always forget how long they last exactly, but I run to 1-2 bbubles per second for 10 hrs a day. I get about 3 months out it. Given the cost of my refills as of last week, it doesn't work out much cheaper than going for a disposable system anymore, but it is less hassle as no where around here stocks the Dennerle refills (I ebayed the regulator and some other stuff last month). Anyway, I think you'll like running pressurised CO2 if you've not done so before.

Nick

 

[mantis147]

Im just looking forward to having a steady co2 reading, i find it hard using the nutrafin units.

Welduk do disposable co2 bottles two for £15 i think might be worth a look!