Opinions On This Co2 System And Any Other Good Bits Of Equipment

[ATK!!!]

I know I said that I wouldn't be going for any pressurised CO2 in my Juwel Rio 180, but the more I look at it the more I want it! Infact I just made a quick calculation that if I use Easycarbo or Excel instead of pressurised CO2 then it will cost me around £200 over 4 years (can't remember exact figure now). However this CO2 kit costs only £127.30 and will probably last me over a year easily and then only £20ish for a replacement fire extinguisher.... You can see where i'm going here!

So my questions are:

Will a 2kg British fire extinguisher fit onto this kit?

Is this kit reasonably priced? (bearing in mind it has a Regulator, Solenoid, 2kg bottle, Reactor, Non return valve, tubing and Bubble checker)

Has anyone got anything they can spot that is a bad idea about this kit?

 

[creg]

why not buy all the equipment seperately and do diy fire extinguisher co2 it would work out cheaper. i just did mine using the tutorial on here and it was really easy and it only cost £70.

remember thats £127 but not including postage either, it looks like a decent kit though.

 

[StandbySetting]

Agree with the above, a DIY FE set up would be so much cheaper and you can choose your own equipment.

 

[ATK!!!]

Could anyone give a link to any decent parts, the threads about FE CO2 are helpful but most of the products mentioned aren't available anymore or some are from Hong Kong!

 

[Plecostomos Fan]

Fire extinguishers can be dangereous if not fitted correctly, I recently read a post from a fireman talking about the dangers, considering they opereate at 5 bar if your going down that route make sure you know what your doing.

 

[StandbySetting]

There's not a lot that can go wrong, they have safety valves fitted, further more they're pretty much the same as a branded kit from a safety point of view, just don't do anything stupid and you'll be fine.

 

[ATK!!!]

Yea I'm not worried by the safety aspect of it, I just can't seem to find any good quality regulators with solenoid valves that will cost less than what that kit is like. If anyone could mention any cheap regulators that'd be great! Also I do want a solenoid valve but there is a huge range of prices out there. Some were going for hundreds of pounds whilst others were only 20. So I wasn't sure if they were reliable enough. Also do you think I should buy a diffuser or an internal reactor (these also varied in price greatly).

There are so many bits of kit out there that I don't know what to trust If someone could just tell me what equipment they use that would be a great help.

 

[creg]

i use 2kg fire extinguisher + regulator with solenoid and needle valve > non return valve > bubble counter > glass diffuser

and a drop checker

i got most of this from someone on here, you might find something in the classifieds. if not should be able to get most off ebay for everything else i use http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index

 

[ATK!!!]

Thanks for the reply creg, I think I will go with the Solenoid and regulator off that German eBay store and maybe the drop checker/bubble counter/diffuser and non return valve from aquaessentials (depending on which is cheaper).

Thanks for the help people. Now all I've got to do is persuade my Dad that I should spend my money on it (it's mine anyway so he doesn't really get a say )

 

[creg]

im 24 and still get frowned upon by my parents for how much i spend on fish some people just dont understand the addiction of fish keeping

 

[ATK!!!]

Hehe I hope my parents don't turn out like that! Just persuaded Dad anyways, told him that he'll have to do the DIY bit though, I leave it to him to get his arms blown off

 

[Tizer]

ATK, a couple of us have recently setup CO2 using the regulator/solenoid and needle valve supplied by the German company you posted about. Delivery times are very good and the items are top notch. I figured it cost around £100. The extra bits for me, came from a local shop, while the FE came from a local Fire Safety place. They normally charge around £15 for a 2kg canister, when they run out, you just return the canister for a full one. The regulator fits them perfectly, there are UK/Euro standards for the connections. Good luck, its very easy and very safe. Once you have stowed it away under your tank, aint nobody going to knock it over.

 

[ATK!!!]

Thanks Tizer you've made me feel even more confident bout using FE CO2. Do you think my Local firestation would sell extinguishers? Only asking as it's almost next door to me! Also how loud is the solenoid valve, the website says it's meant to be quieter than regular ones and it would be nice if this is true

 

[Tizer]

i cant hear a thing from it mate, it sits next to my filter, which is pretty quiet anyway and it doesnt add anything to the noise of the room as far as i can tell.

Where you source the FE is down to you, you can but ask although i very much doubt they have them

 

[ATK!!!]

Thanks anyways mate, I think I'll just buy one off eBay, there's 2kg ones selling for just £20! The pic was a great help btw, now I can see how it all fits together