co2 system

[moldyform]

Is it possible to just fill a BBQ gas bottle with co2?

Also does anyone know where i can get a co2 regulator and bubble counter from. I have found some pricey ones but surely there are some diy versions out there using bunnings bits?

Cheers

[ILLUSN]

the problem with a BBq cylinder is that the flamable gas cylinders use a reverse thread so no reg will fit to it.

what size cylinder were you after, i know a few people with spare 3.5kg co2 extinguishers, this may be a cheeper option.

as for a reg and bubble counter, ebay has some cheep ones, if ever your up sydney way give me a yell I've got a few cheep plastic ones spare.

but spend some money on your reg and get a good one, that way you wont kill your fish.

[moldyform]

Yes i see your point. Sting now and it will bite you latter!

Yeah id be looking for a few 3.5's . I have a 6 x 2 x 2. And i intend to eventually have it fairly heavely stocked with plants.

Can you reconmend a decent regulator?
Is it nececerry to have a bubble counter?

Whats the thoughts on this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Aquarium-Single-Pressure-Manometer-CO2-regulator-reg4_W0QQitemZ160213360198QQihZ006QQcategoryZ20754 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Cheers

[moldyform]

Also dont BBQ's have a regulator on them anyway?

[ILLUSN]

i dont like single guage as you cant see how full (or empty) the cylinder is.

I'd go gor a red sea, jbl , aquamedic, tunze reg etc etc, a name brand that you know will work for years to come.

a abubble counter isn't really nesissary especially if your going to have a ph controler, still for under $10 you cant complain.

[moldyform]

Whats the go with the spare co2 extinguishers? Are they FS?

Cheers

[fishgeek]

i'd second the twin regulator, allows you to step pressure down to needle valve which allows finer adjustment into tank

rather than just opening single reg and hoping that it stays the same, control is too coarse

try welding hops fro lots of options on twin reg's

[revkev]

BOC reg & flow meter, hose from flow meter goes to a vegemite jar bubble counter then to CO2 diffuser made fom pvc pipe.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/revkev77/IMG_0003-1.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/revkev77/IMG_0002-1.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/revkev77/IMG_0001-1.jpg

[moldyform]

Interesting!!
Just to clear up in my mind what the purpose of each part does?

Bubble counter?

CO2 diffuser?

Cheers

[revkev]

Regulator shows how much CO2 is in bottle thats the R/H gauge. L/H gauge is pressure adjusting gauge ie 10 psi. Far L/H is flowmeter this controlls your bubble count ie 60 per min into the bubble counter (vegemite jar )then to the CO2 diffuser to dissolve the CO2 into the water flowing through the diffuser which has bioballs in it to help break up the CO2 thus dissolving it into the water. All this needs to be on the outlet of a canister filter.
To stop water backflowing into the gauges when CO2 is turned off put 2 -3 oneway valves on CO2 lines as in pics.

[fishgeek]

i have a eheim air diffuser in a plastic bottle with power head at the top, all within the tank

that acts as my bubble counter and diffuser/reactor all in one

[moldyform]

Is somthing like this fine?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Argon-CO2-Bubble-Flow-Meter-and-Regulator-TIG-MIG_W0QQitemZ260216413102QQihZ016QQcategoryZ11774Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Cheers

[moldyform]

Also whould the above fit onto a 3.5 kg extinguisher?

Thanks

[ILLUSN]

that reg would be fine, again dual guage would be better, the extinguishers have diffrent manifolds on them dependent on the make and model, worst case senario is you'll need a 1/4" nipple and a male to female 1/2"-1/4? reducing bush to make it work.

[moldyform]

awesome!!
Yeah i'd get the dual guage type but since you stongly reconmend eco complete, ill comprimise :)

Thanks Guys

[moldyform]

After much bidding i have won two 3.5kg co2 extinguishers.!!
Some other colwn obviously wanted them as much as i did (or neally as much:) )

My question is, how do i put a new regulator onto the bottle with out losing the gas in the process?

[ILLUSN]

This is how i did mine, there's a few others in the diy section

http://www.discusforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12127

[moldyform]

G'day

Can anyone give some feed back on this reg?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/CO2-Regulator-Electronic-Solenoid-Live-aquarium-plant_W0QQitemZ270222468518QQihZ017QQcategoryZ2075 4QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Cheers

[nd55]

> Is it possible to just fill a BBQ gas bottle with co2?

Not worth the hassle.
CO2 Refillers won't want to touch it, either.

Take your regulator to a fire extinguisher place, they often have second hand extinguishers avilable.

Also, you can get a pressure test (needs to be done every five years) and a refill.

A little bit of a premium, but that way its a peace of mind decision.

Remember when buying CO2 extinguishers there's a tube which normally draws up liquid CO2.

Cut if off, you don't need this in aquria applications.

Nick.

[axl]

Hope you DIDNT buy this regulator because i purchased the same of the same company and the soenoid wouldnt click on. I had to send it back to the company and get a credit which was a pain in the ****. If you no what i mean.

[actinicblue]

i think the most convenient is the paint ball tank setup. it takes up less space in the cabinet too.

[moldyform]

Yes i have had it running for a month now. I had a lot of initial trouble with it. As the the thread on the reg was an imperial thread. I had to get a new one machined. It was also made of really cheap metal.

Other then that i havnt had any issues with the reg or the solinoid, yet.

cheers