Im finally ready to get my co2 injection going. How many bubble per second do i want for a 20 gal (long)tank? Currently using 65w lighting.What about the PSI gauge..at what number should be on?Thx
neewbie co2 injection question
- Thread starter PLURMaster
- Start date
just depends. go for 40-50 and go from there. it really depends on how well your mixing the co2 in the water and how much your gassing off. might even want to just try for 30. i never done co2 in that small of tank.
set your working pressure somwhere between 20~40psi. the pressure needed to maintain a good flow rate will depend on your needle valve.
as for bubbles per second, 3bps is a good starting point. how are you measuring your co2 levels? a drop checker is a good way to know what your co2 levels. my bps rate is "holy crap thats fast!!!" as i cant even count how many bubbles are flying out of the thing.
this gives me a lime green color in my drop checker which is considered to be more than adequate
as for bubbles per second, 3bps is a good starting point. how are you measuring your co2 levels? a drop checker is a good way to know what your co2 levels. my bps rate is "holy crap thats fast!!!" as i cant even count how many bubbles are flying out of the thing.
this gives me a lime green color in my drop checker which is considered to be more than adequate
Im using a drop checker as you recommanded few months ago in another thread. There's 2 guage for the regulator. Which one needs to be 20-40 psi and whats the other for?
ok cool, the drop checker is the single best tool you can have in a co2-injected tank. just be sure to use 4dkh solution and not aquarium water like the directions say.
as for the guages, one is your working pressure and one is the tank pressure. the tank pressure gauge measures very high pressure, up to like 1500psi. for example, my 5lb tank when full measured exactly 1000psi. the pressure in your tank will vary with the ambient temperature. you dont adjust this number, this just tells you how much gas is in your tank.
the other gauge is your working pressure and has much lower numbers on it, like up to 60psi for example. this is the amount of pressure that is coming OUT of the tank and into your needle valve. this is the one that should be between 20-40psi and is adjusted with the large knob or screw on your regulator. after you set the working pressure, then you adjust the actual flow of co2 into your tank with your needle vavle.
thats it!
as for the guages, one is your working pressure and one is the tank pressure. the tank pressure gauge measures very high pressure, up to like 1500psi. for example, my 5lb tank when full measured exactly 1000psi. the pressure in your tank will vary with the ambient temperature. you dont adjust this number, this just tells you how much gas is in your tank.
the other gauge is your working pressure and has much lower numbers on it, like up to 60psi for example. this is the amount of pressure that is coming OUT of the tank and into your needle valve. this is the one that should be between 20-40psi and is adjusted with the large knob or screw on your regulator. after you set the working pressure, then you adjust the actual flow of co2 into your tank with your needle vavle.
thats it!
be warned that that are several steps that must be followed IN ORDER when attaching your regulator to a tank and opening up the co2 for the first time. you could damage your regulator if you do things out of order.
heres the instructions for the Milwaukee regulator:
[SIZE=+4]Automated Aquarium Systems™ [/SIZE][SIZE=+3]Presents...[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+3]Operating the[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+3]"MA957 CO2 Regulator"[/SIZE]
[FONT=arial,helvetica]Operating Instructions for the Milwaukee MA957 [/FONT]
[SIZE=+2]CYLINDER CARE:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+2]REGULATOR ATTACHMENT AND USE:[/SIZE]
Attach the regulator to the cylinder valve placing the supplied plastic o-ring (not shown) between the regulator and the tank. Tighten with a wrench. Omission of this o-ring will cause loss of gas!
Unscrew the large brass ring (G) from the Bubble Counter (H) and fill the bubble counter 1/2 full of fresh water. Be sure the needle valve (B) is closed before filling with water. Once filled, replace the brass o-ring (G).
Before opening the cylinder valve turn the regulator adjustment knob (E) counter clockwise until tension is no longer felt on the knob. Do not fully remove the regulator flow adjustment knob. IF THE CYLINDER VALVE IS OPENED WITH THE REGULATOR KNOB CLOSED, DAMAGE TO THE REGULATOR CAN RESULT!
VERY SLOWLY and CAREFULLY openthe cylinder valve COMPLETELY to seal the cylinder valve packing. The amount of gas in the cylinder can now be read on the High Pressure Gauge (D).
Plug the solenoid (C) into a suitable, grounded, AC Wall outlet, Hanna pH Mini Controller, or Milwaukee SMS122 pH Controller. The solenoid uses slightly more then 6 watts and it is normal for it to feel warm during operation.
Open the needle valve (B) by turning counter-clockwise.
Turn the adjustment knob (E) clockwise until you get a reading on the Low Pressure Gauge (F) of approximately 10lbs on the outside set of numbers (use the numbers on the top row). You should now see bubbles in the counter.
Unplug the Solenoid (C) from the wall or controller and unscrew the compression fitting and pass the air hose through the fitting and attach the tubing to the nipple (A). Be sure your tubing fits tightly on the nipple and that it is pressed all the way down. Slide the compression fitting onto the nipple and tighten.
Plug the Solenoid (C) back into the wall outlet or pH Controller unit and adjust the bubble count on your reactor using the needle valve (B). Fine tuning the count can be accomplished with either the needle valve (B) and by adjusting the regulator output pressure with adjustment knob (E) as discussed in the pevious step. The more you increase the pressure as indicated on the low pressure gauge (F) the more difficult it will be to fine tune your bubble count using needle valve (B). Therefore it is more desirable to keep the pressure indicated on the low pressure gauge (F) low and adjust your bubble count using the Needle Valve (B).
heres the instructions for the Milwaukee regulator:
[SIZE=+4]Automated Aquarium Systems™ [/SIZE][SIZE=+3]Presents...[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+3]Operating the[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+3]"MA957 CO2 Regulator"[/SIZE]
[FONT=arial,helvetica]Operating Instructions for the Milwaukee MA957 [/FONT]
[SIZE=+2]CYLINDER CARE:[/SIZE]
Secure cylinders so that they will not tip or fall.
Inspect the cylinder valves for damaged threads, dirt, oil, or grease. Remove dust and dirt with a clean cloth.
DO NOT ATTACH THE REGULATOR IF OIL OR GREASE IS PRESENT.
Oil and grease in the presence of oxygen is EXPLOSIVE!
DO NOT ATTACH THE REGULATOR IF OIL OR GREASE IS PRESENT.
Oil and grease in the presence of oxygen is EXPLOSIVE!
Crack open the cylinder valve for an instant to blow out any foreign matter in the throat of the cylinder.
Use Teflon tape on the threads of the cylinder before attaching the regulator. Failure to do this can result in the loss of gas!
[SIZE=+2]REGULATOR ATTACHMENT AND USE:[/SIZE]
Attach the regulator to the cylinder valve placing the supplied plastic o-ring (not shown) between the regulator and the tank. Tighten with a wrench. Omission of this o-ring will cause loss of gas!
Unscrew the large brass ring (G) from the Bubble Counter (H) and fill the bubble counter 1/2 full of fresh water. Be sure the needle valve (B) is closed before filling with water. Once filled, replace the brass o-ring (G).
Before opening the cylinder valve turn the regulator adjustment knob (E) counter clockwise until tension is no longer felt on the knob. Do not fully remove the regulator flow adjustment knob. IF THE CYLINDER VALVE IS OPENED WITH THE REGULATOR KNOB CLOSED, DAMAGE TO THE REGULATOR CAN RESULT!
VERY SLOWLY and CAREFULLY openthe cylinder valve COMPLETELY to seal the cylinder valve packing. The amount of gas in the cylinder can now be read on the High Pressure Gauge (D).
Plug the solenoid (C) into a suitable, grounded, AC Wall outlet, Hanna pH Mini Controller, or Milwaukee SMS122 pH Controller. The solenoid uses slightly more then 6 watts and it is normal for it to feel warm during operation.
Open the needle valve (B) by turning counter-clockwise.
Turn the adjustment knob (E) clockwise until you get a reading on the Low Pressure Gauge (F) of approximately 10lbs on the outside set of numbers (use the numbers on the top row). You should now see bubbles in the counter.
Unplug the Solenoid (C) from the wall or controller and unscrew the compression fitting and pass the air hose through the fitting and attach the tubing to the nipple (A). Be sure your tubing fits tightly on the nipple and that it is pressed all the way down. Slide the compression fitting onto the nipple and tighten.
Plug the Solenoid (C) back into the wall outlet or pH Controller unit and adjust the bubble count on your reactor using the needle valve (B). Fine tuning the count can be accomplished with either the needle valve (B) and by adjusting the regulator output pressure with adjustment knob (E) as discussed in the pevious step. The more you increase the pressure as indicated on the low pressure gauge (F) the more difficult it will be to fine tune your bubble count using needle valve (B). Therefore it is more desirable to keep the pressure indicated on the low pressure gauge (F) low and adjust your bubble count using the Needle Valve (B).
the needle valve is to control the bubble count which lead to how much co2 going throught the diffuser?