Pressurized CO2 questions for the plant geeks

I'm in the process of getting the heart of the pressurized CO2 system. I'm in contact with @Altum and we are discussing the Dual guage regulator with solenoid and needle valve.

I'm guessing I can get the bottle up in JHB cheaper than shipping something from CT, however I have a few questions for the members who are running CO2:

(1) Does a CO2 bottle have the similar type of "tap" attachment as to your gas bottles for your gas heaters? If so, I would assume you fill from there, close the "tap", attach the regulator, and you're A-for-away. (?). Or does the regulator get fit onto the bottle, and you fill the bottle through the regulator?

(2) WHERE can I get a bottle? (I know you all going to say a fire extinguisher, and go to Builder's... BUT builder's only sell the DCP fire extinguishers, and not the CO2 type. If you actually KNOW of a place I can go get a bottle, please PM me a name and number?

(3) WHERE can I get the bottle filled?

(4) I'm assuming I might possibly need some reducers/fittings etc if the regulator doesn't fit... where can I source these?

I don't want to go and spend the cash on the regulator etc and find I'm up a creek without a paddle...

Regards

 

Hey Zoom – Nice to see you taking the plunge into a full on high tech system !

I am certainly by no means whatsoever an expert in the slightest way, but nonetheless…. I am also in the process of taking the proverbial plunge into a high tech tank with pressurized Co2 etc…. And my observations thus far would be as follows;

1. I would imagine the majority of regulators ( particularly if sourced locally ) have a standardized thread / tap size…. Only the specialist makes from overseas and the like seem to have unique sizes…. Regulator will then fit the standard thread… IE: Attach the regulator / needle vale to the bottle’s outlet directly….
2. I often frequent the builders Warehouse in Edenvale, and I have seen 2kg Co2 fire extinguishers there. In the alternative you can also buy Co2 fire extinguisher bottles directly from places like Chubb fire ( midrand perhaps ) or similar such suppliers, particularly if you looking for something bigger than a 2kg bottle and that’s if you don’t mind the thought of using a fire extinguisher bottle…
3. I have had mine filled at Exotic pets in Boksburg, but must admit they were terribly expensive…. You could try any decent marine orientated LPS, welding supply companies, Afrox I think, and naturally fire equipment supply companies ( I seem to recall a thread on APSA about there being a fire place in Kempton which is very cheap, haven’t tried any of the above yet though, as I have not yet had need to refill mine )….
4. If a standard sized regulator is bought im sure this wont be a problem….

Hope the above helps… sure some of the more experienced plant fundi’s will have lots more to say though.

 

ok dude,

1.) u fill the bottle through the opening of the co2 cannister not through the regulator
2.)like u guessed, builders warehouse.. most of the bigger builders will store the co2 ones.. otherwise ones i have seen that have are the ones in centurion, greenstone.
3.) pm sent
4.)the regulator will fit. as long as u get a standard regulator and standard co3 bottle.

good luck!

 

sorry dont mean to hijack now but HOW important is a co2 kit for a planted tank ie does it make a BIG difference to plant growth and health?and for those aka me who are not very diy can you just buy a co2 thingy at the petshop and plug it in?

 

it makes a HUGE difference in plant growth..

do u need it? no. u can still get good growth and health with out it.

can u buy at most LFS? no. usually online or through the sponsors

u can think of co2 and light like an accelerator pedal.. only thing is that they work hand in hand.. higher light, more co2. more co2 more light. else u get lots of algae or lots of dead fish..

oh and pushing the pedal u need much more fuel (nutrients) some ppl resort to dosing every day!

 

@oscar freak

In a nut shell... yes, CO2 will make a huge difference. If you look at the award winning planted tanks, they all running undergravel ferts, and CO2. DIY just doesn't come CLOSE to the real deal. Go look at the following people's tanks:
@shihr @wearsbunnyslippers @Laure @Rudi and ask them if they would EVER achieve that type of growth without their CO2. Remember CO2 is introducing CARBON to the tank, in a form that the plants can take in. Basic biology is the plants absorb CO2, use the CARBON as the BASIC FUNDEMENTAL element of growth, and release the O2.

 

~* Drum roll please *~
La aaa aaaadieeeeees & GentleMEN (Say this in a circus announcer's voice)

I am proud to announce that I have accepted a quotation on a COMPLETE CO2 kit.

Kit includes: (to my knowledge)
1 x 5kg fire extinguisher (full) [might even be a 7.5kg- current owner not 100% sure] {Estimated cost to refill at fire-house R250.00]
1 x regulator with solenoid and needle valve
1 x glass bubble counter
1 x glass non return valve
1 x glass diffuser

@ a price of R1800.00

{I was quoted R1500.00 for for the regulator, and R450.00 for a 2kg bottle... you do the maths}

Current owner ran 4 planted 4 foot tanks on one bottle for 3 months. We estimate that my single 4 ft tank will last about 12-18 months on one refill!

 

Houses,Co2 Systems.....we better see a brilliant tank comming up.

 

@Zoom,
Thats the bargain of the year,dude.Well done!!
Be careful with those glass equipment,they look great but break very easily.

 

@Zoom - I don't have CO2

And congratulations on the purchase. What you need to find out is WHERE THE *#&%&# do you buy the nylon regulator seals? I have ordered off Ebay, I have got some from the Fire Extinguisher people...nothing works. I have the Azoo regulator. There is nothing special about the connection. But then again, this will only be a problem for you in about 12 months' time. Good luck!

 

There are some "brilliant tank" ideas growing bossies in my mind at the moment. I've got the picture in my head... but just to get the scaping around it!

Yeah, that's also my biggest concern. Luckily for me, if they do break, I do have spare plastic non-return valve, and plastic bubble counter. And believe it or not, I actually have a spare glass diffuser too!!! (I know you all asking WTF? Don't ask!)

I'll start looking now!


My next question is... where do I get CO2 resistant tubing?

 

Ebay. I don't know of any local suppliers.

 

CO2 tubing, in the pipeline

Hey Ashley
Nice acquisition list
I have spares for YOUR SPARES...

CO2 tubing you looking for...
Any specific length?

I'm almost soldout, I think there's a few m my depot.
Failing which more wil be available end of Feb(hopefully)

you can call, or pm

No need to be bashful...my offer stands:blink1:

 

@Zoom,
I'm gonna say something some people may disagree with,but what ever....
Those glass diffusers,no matter what make they are,is in my opinion,the worst Co2 diffuser you can buy.
They break very easily,they get covered in algae very fast and need to be cleaned often.And when it breaks or is being cleaned,your tank is without Co2 in that time.
Back to Co2 fluctuation and algae.

Rather pass the Co2 through a power head with a slight modification,and you can have near total dissolution and better Co2 distribution in the tank.

 

I've heard this before Rudi.

What in your opinion is the modifications to a powerhead that should be done? Not just added to the venturi?

 

@Rudi are you talking about a full powerhead or one of those smaller internal filters with venturi inlet?

 

ok guys.. heres a good article on everything about pressurised co2..

helped me understand alot when i first started out..

http://www.njagc.net/articles/co2.htm

hope the mods dont mind.. else can delete my post.. no hard feelings.

 

oh and @Zoom, imo, co2 resistant tubes IMO are a nice to have.. ive used silicone tubes since the begining.. they do go hard after a year or so but silicone tubes are so readily availabe and cheap! why not use that instead? after a year u could just discard the old tube and use a new one! another plus in using normal tubing is that most co2 tubing is black and not that good looking.. up to u though..

@Rudi, i agree that the glass diffuser may not be the best option for diffusing co2.. but i think most ppl use it because, its a small and elegant piece of work.. a power head in a good aqua scape may ruin the whole look and may even block light to plants below. but like u said, it does have very nice diffusing capabilities.. but having said that i'd rather go for a co2 reactor instead.

so to me, it comes down to a matter of preference. i'd use a glass diffuser mainly for the reasons above. even though i'd waste abit more co2 but it certainly looks much better in the tank imo..

 

@Zoom,
@Vis,
This will be the standard power head,without the filtercartriges.The Co2 is passed through the impeller.With some easy modifications the bubbles are chopped so small,they don't even reach the surface.They dissolve completely.I'll take some pic's and post them.

@shihr,
Equipment is a unfortunate necessity in any aquarium.From heaters to filter pipes,you can't avoid them.How you use them is the trick.
Most can be hidden in the tank or sump if you have one.In most planted tanks,as you know,extra flow is essential.If you are using a power head for this purpose,it can double as a Co2 diffuser.
And as for a power head blocking light,if the lights are that weak,then Co2 is not needed.

 

why not use a paintball cannister? like slojo's diy system? or is this a lot different from his setup?