Co2 Unit

[tomo_garf]

Its my birthday soon and i can think of nothing else other than a pressurised CO2 system for my 190l aquarium- i want nice plant growth!

So, what size do i need? can i get one (2nd hand if necessary) for around £100?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, i cant seem to find anything on ebay and would rather buy the complete set rather than putting bits and bobs together due to my inexperience!

BTW, there will be fish in the tank when i install it, is this a problem?

thanks

 

[oldwhitewood]

I use the D-D Complete CO2 set, aquaessentials sell one for £112, it uses the disposible cylinders for about £15 each and includes a solenoid, which was my main reason for getting one as it's cheap to also include a solenoid (I've got two now btw). They are a bit of a bugger to setup but once you have they're absolutely fine.

 

[tomo_garf]

ah excellent, that suits me to a T.

How long does each bottle last? when you say its a bit tricky to set up i presume you mean its a little fiddly and not confusing (instructions enclosed?)

Many thanks

 

[oldwhitewood]

How long the bottle lasts will depend on how much you're adding, I have been using mine for ages, months but I use a relatively low amound of CO2 as my KH is so low.

Setting up, I got mine firstly a few years ago, at that time D&D did not include much in the way of instructions in the box, you have to seal each joint with tape to keep it gas tight, and check each joint with soapy water, even the smallest leak can cause the cannister to drain overnight. Now I think D&D include better documentation in there.

I also got one recently and it started leaking gas straight away, I got in touch with D&D and they replaced it really quickly, no charge needed at all. I offered to just have a replacement part but the guy from D&D said no he would rather replace the entire unit. Their customer service is really good. For the money as a pressurised system with a solenoid they're great, but if you want something along the same lines but easier to setup and maintain you will have to spend a bit more.

 

[mantis147]

I bought a complete set from germany off ebay new for £65 including delivery. The only thing is the instructions are in german!! I got a 500g cylinder with it but ive fitted a 7.5kg welding bottle to the regulator!!

 

[Themuleous]

Mantis,

Ive just got an old pub cylinder off ebay, but haven't picked it up yet, do them fit the aquarium reg easily? I.e. they all have standard size thread and connectors etc?

Cant seem to find a definative answer on that?

 

[mantis147]

Mantis,

Ive just got an old pub cylinder off ebay, but haven't picked it up yet, do them fit the aquarium reg easily? I.e. they all have standard size thread and connectors etc?

Cant seem to find a definative answer on that?

I went to the local welders and tried the regulator first. The regulator ive got is just a standard fitting i was told!!

 

[Themuleous]

Oh right what make of reg is it?

 

[mantis147]

Oh right what make of reg is it?

Not sure of the make, here is a link for one http/cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewIt...902913&tc=photo

Doesnt show the back of it though!!

 

[NAL]

I've had a Dennerle disposable system-quite pricey if you also include a solenoid I think. I've got a jbl system that I'm using at the minute. This is pretty good, not as good quality as the Dennerle, but perfectly acceptable and easy to set-up. I 've had no leakage problems with this. BTW, when I first got the Dennerle the solenoid was leaking, although not a problem to fix it, and it was one of the newer type (back then anyway). I'm going to be getting another one soon, and I'll probably pick up another jbl regulator and bottles. Refillable is more expensive as you have the inital cost of buying the bottles, with refills (around here) costing £13-14, therefore similar to a disposable. That said, disposables only come in one size, 500g. You can get a massive refillable that would last you for ages should you want to fill and forget.

Nick

 

[tomo_garf]

Having browsed my local classified someone is selling this lot for £25. The diffuser does not fit the bottle though- is this a big problem? can i just purchas another bottle?

Thanks

 

[mantis147]

See if you can get a pic of the back of the regulator.

the ladder is a diffuser not a bubble counter, the small jar on the regulator is the bubble counter. Looks ok for £25 thats a strange looking co2 bottle though!

 

[ChrisP]

My Co2 bottle is a old pub one also, its about 11lb so its a big boy, I have posted a pic in a thread before. I use a deltec reg I got from an online aquarium store and it fits just fine so I would say they are all a standard thread.

Mantis,

Ive just got an old pub cylinder off ebay, but haven't picked it up yet, do them fit the aquarium reg easily? I.e. they all have standard size thread and connectors etc?

Cant seem to find a definative answer on that?

 

[zig]

Having browsed my local classified someone is selling this lot for £25. The diffuser does not fit the bottle though- is this a big problem? can i just purchas another bottle?

Thanks

This is about the third time i have seen this setup for sale, exact same picture each time, its probably from a member here you are buying it from, its been for sale on these forums before, just check that it is a 240v setup suitable for the UK, it looks like an American setup to me, but i could be wrong but no harm in checking, seems cheap, thats why i would ask.

 

[Themuleous]

This is about the third time i have seen this setup for sale, exact same picture each time

Me too! I have just got a pub type huge CO2 cylinder from ebay, and my JBL reg seems to fit that fine too as yeh must be a standard size thread on them all