Co2 Systems!

[Pheonix]

Heya guys im soon to be getting a Deltec PF509 Calcium Reactor for my tank which of course needs a Co2 system for the thing to work. Can someone please give me some advice on decent Co2 systems for marine tanks that will work with this reactor. All ive every used is the cheapie plant co2 creators in my tropical tanks so am a complete noob when it comes to this more advanced stuff!

I did used to use Co2 on my paintball guns so i know about co2 and its use just not in a marine environment!

Thanks
Andy

 

[SkiFletch]

Well you basically just need a CO2 bottle capable of a few pounds of storage (as opposed to our little 20oz paintball ones), a regulator, a needle/gate valve, and some tubing... If you're handy enough, building it yourself is often cheaper than buying an "aquarium co2 setup"

 

[Pheonix]

whats these regulators i hear about with night time shut off? is that only for planted tanks that need that? as photosynthesis stops when the lights are out. i presume being for a calcium reactor ill need it running 24/7?

 

[SkiFletch]

Thats a great question and I really dont know the answer to it. My intuition tells me that on a marine setup you'd want the reactor running 24/7 because the CO2 isn't dosed to the tank, its dosed to the aragonite to help break it down, but I'm not sure about that, deinitely get a second oppinion

 

[Pheonix]

well thanks for your input ski allways appreciated

we live and learn, dont think ill ever stop learining about fishies

 

[Pheonix]

Bump!

Chac ave a read

also think im gonna go the do it yourself route, if i get a co2 fire extinguisher will any one do?? i was looking at a 2kg jobbie, then all i need is the reg and tubing right?? whats a good reg, i want an all in one with flow valve dont want excessive bits all over the place.

Cheers

 

[Pheonix]

bumpage

 

[zig]

Lots of info on this subject in the planted section, you might even consider a conversion to planted when your over there, ok i didnt think so...........

A fire extinguisher is a good option, the main thing to check before you buy is how you are going to get refills, have a check locally and find out where you can do this, sometimes it can be easier to get refills from a local pub supplier or even from a pub itself if you know a landlord.

Search the planted section and look under fire extinguisher, this should throw up a good few leads as regards regulators, needle valves etc, ebay is probably the cheapest, dont have a link to hand but you will find it in the planted section.

Auctually here you go.........ebay link any of the regulators on this page will fit a fire extinguisher or any regular CO2 bottle (except the small 500g ones) i would avoid buying the complete kit from this seller unless you know you can get the cylinders refilled locally, like i say in our experience its best to souce the cylinder locally and this way you will get refills for this cylinder easier, some companys are very fussy as to the cylinders they will refill, this is usually why a fire extinguisher is a good bet as most places will do these.