regulator with ph controller questions
- Thread starter Guerillah
- Start date
you can run it off any standard solenoid valve. I know you didn't ask this, but IMO, just get a light timer or 2 then you can run it off a timer. Open solenoid about 30 min after lights come on, close solenoid about 30 min before they turn off. The second timer? Some people get paranoid and run an airpump on it with a couple of aerators at night to increase O2 levels, I have never found this to make a big difference.
The choice is yours, just trying to save some money. In past experience, however, I have never found a pH regulator to work better than a simple timer.
The choice is yours, just trying to save some money. In past experience, however, I have never found a pH regulator to work better than a simple timer.
yeah as cass said, a ph controller isnt a necessity. i use timers on my setup. as for the regulator, any brand will do, as long as it has a solenoid. and yes, you will need a needle valve and bubble counter. you cant run your co2 without these things. the needle valve will allow you to fine tune the flow rate of co2 into your tank. and you fine tune the flow of co2 by counting the bubbles passing through the bubble counter.
these are required, not optional. the ph controller however, is optional. let us know if you have any other questions
these are required, not optional. the ph controller however, is optional. let us know if you have any other questions
yes it is optional but can be worth it. they are alot easier you can get a rough estimate of what ph your tank should be at for a good starting point. then you can slowly ajust your bps so the ph controler does not have to turn on and off so much it is a good tool for getting the co2 just perfect. for me i would not run a ph controler on a tank that has cheaper fish or common fish. im going to use a ph controler on my discus tank becuase if you loose a full grown rare discus it can cost as much if not more then a ph controler not a bad thing to have at all just depend on your situation. IMO
Can you just count the bubbles coming out of the tube into your water instead of buying a bubbles counter?
After everything is all set will it stay the same rate of flow or will it fluctuate after a few weeks?
After everything is all set will it stay the same rate of flow or will it fluctuate after a few weeks?
bubble counter is easier there are some diy ones if you search. it all depends on the needle valve in your reg. just like with anything else in the hoby the nicer the product you buy the longer it will stay how you set it. but with that said the amount of change in most needle valves are very small. i think i have to do some slight changes on mine maybe once a month but thats more me then anything i think. but yes you will need to check/change it sooner or later.
o another note on the ph controler if you are using them you should not have to change anything on the set up if your plant mass drastically changes. like at your first trim and any other time you do a large trim. the ph controler will keep the tank at 20 ppm (or whatever you set it at) no matter plant or fish load.
o another note on the ph controler if you are using them you should not have to change anything on the set up if your plant mass drastically changes. like at your first trim and any other time you do a large trim. the ph controler will keep the tank at 20 ppm (or whatever you set it at) no matter plant or fish load.
not really. you dont just stick the tubing in the water and let the co2 go straight into the tank. it either has to go through a reactor or a diffusor and you wont be able to see the bubbles. if you put the tubing straight into the tank, it will be worthless. the co2 bubble will rise to the surface, pop, and dissipate all the co2.Jag1980;2388557;2388557 said:
as for adjusting the needle valve, this all depends on the needle valve you get. if you go cheap, youll have a lot of adjusting and finicking to do every few days from what ive heard. a higher quality needle vavle will be rock solid. i have a Fabco needle valve and it has stayed set from the day i set it up