Fire Extinguisher Co2 Setup On 380l Tank?

[Ian H]

Right im a bit out of my depth when it comes to co2, i know this can be extremely dangerous so i will be extremely careful with it!

One of the main things im worried about is the dog knocking over the co2 bottle at some point, would it be ok if i made a small cabinet to contain the bottle? (would look better then too)

Also would i be better off with 2 diffusers for a tank this size?
Can a shut off valve/solinoid be attached to this kind of set up? if so which one is a decent one?
how long would the bottle last? (roughly obviously)

 

[saintly]

what size bottle? im guessing 2 kg.

i have 300l and my 2kg is going strong. 1 month prior to a restart and i month ish with new setup. and im running at least 5 bubbles p/s.ive just installed a Rhinox 5000 Diffuser on my setup
and that's handling my co2 output, i guess it would be posible to put 2 diffusers into 1 setup. your slightly bigger than me at 380l so im not sure 1 would handle it.

for sure, keep the cylinder out the way of your dog, wife, son etc...you really dont want one of those things blowing up in your home. any gas cylinder should be kept upright anyway.

i personly run co2 24/7 with no issues. more gas i know but, much more stable.

what ever you do, dont take the pin out UNTIL youve connected your regulater tightly...we dont want an acident.

 

[BINKSY]

Why not go for a external co2 reactor, some people here have made them, from some pvc waste pipe etc, see the link below.

diy co2 reactor

 

[Ian H]

Yeah sorry, 2kg

Yeah thats the only thing im worried about is it getting knocked over some how and shooting through the roof/wall! I was thinking of making a cabinet out of thick mdf that was weighted at the bottom or bolted to the tank cabinet so it wouldnt be possible for the dog to hit it over/chew at it! I would just bolt it to the wall, but its ####ty plaster board and i don't trust it!!

yeah the pin will be kept in until i've triple checked EVERY thing, and then a couple more checks!

 

[Ian H]

Thanks for the link binksy! i think thats what i'll go with since it means having one less thing in the tank and only costs a couple of pennies!

I've also decided to go for a normal co2 canister now, the type they use in welding or pubs/clubs. Theres a place that sells canisters and does refills not to far so will pop down and have a look. Not sure if anyone will know this but worth a go! when we went to buy a canister for our gas bbq they said it would be cheaper to bring in an old bottle and they would give us a new one and refill it, so we went out and found one dumped on the side of the road. Do you think they would exchange this kind for a smaller co2 bottle? considering there are LOADS dumped around the place it may be worth a try since then i would only have to pay for the co2?

 

[saintly]

does the bottle connector fit the regulater?

some welding bottles are an entirely different fitting. you better check. i waisted a fortune on buying the wrong bottles. and i couldnt return them!

 

[BINKSY]

Your welcome for the link, and good luck in finding a bottle mate.

Cheers Gordon

 

[aaronnorth]

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...N:IT&ih=016]

this is a reg which includes solenoid, bubble counter, needle valve for £60

i have just ordered one and a lot of people use them. Have you also read the FE guide?

http/www.fishforums.net/content/forum/21...ressurised-CO2/

i get my 2Kg FE's from here:

http/shop.ebay.co.uk/merchant/123safer4u

 

[bare bottom]

[URL="http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...N:IT&ih=016"]http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...N:IT&ih=016[/URL]]

this is a reg which includes solenoid, bubble counter, needle valve for £60

i have just ordered one and a lot of people use them. Have you also read the FE guide?

[URL="http/www.fishforums.net/content/forum/21...ressurised-CO2/"]http/www.fishforums.net/content/forum/21...ressurised-CO2/[/URL]

i get my 2Kg FE's from here:

[URL="http/shop.ebay.co.uk/merchant/123safer4u"]http/shop.ebay.co.uk/merchant/123safer4u[/URL]

I've just ordered one too to replace my old reg setup as this is more tidy.

I went to the shop itself and they have a 5% discount running and make offer - so i offered £30 and it was accepted so i'd recommend offering less and see what you can get it for!

 

[Ian H]

thanks for the links and advise guys

I'll buy that reg/solenoid/bubble counter and take it down with me when i goto look to see if it'll fit

 

[Ian H]

ok will be ordering friday most likely so just checking this is all i need:

2kg co2 bottle/fire extinguisher
regulator (the one mentioned above with the solenoid and needle valve)
co2 tubing
co2 Reactor (DIY ok? heard they can get cloged up easily? would i be better with 2 defusers?)
check valve(s)
co2 checker

I think thats everything?

 

[aaronnorth]

perfect, DIY is ok, dont know about them gettin clogged up though? why not get 2 x diffusers:

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Lot-of-2-CO2-Diffuse...id=p3286.c0.m14

the split them with with a y-connecter.

 

[Ian H]

I thought i would need a bigger diffuser due to the tank size?

Although thinking about it as long as the bubbles get pushed out smaller i dont see the problem? thanks for the link, i think i'll go for them instead now

 

[aaronnorth]

I thought i would need a bigger diffuser due to the tank size

yes you do (or more of them spread around) so you will need to use both of the above, the best thing is an inline reactor (goes on the outside of tank) that way, your CO2 enriched water will get pushed around the tank with the filter.

 

[Ian H]

ok just about to order everything (finally) just wondering would i be better off buying these:

2 of these
[URL="http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Spio-III-Co2-diffuse...86.c0.m14.l1318"]http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Spio-III-Co2-diffuse...86.c0.m14.l1318[/URL]

or these:

[URL="http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Lot-of-2-CO2-Diffuse...86.c0.m14.l1318"]http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Lot-of-2-CO2-Diffuse...86.c0.m14.l1318[/URL]

I'm planning on putting them at the back in the middle of my tank, that way the spray bar should circulate the co2 around a bit