CO2 unit

[weird]

Hi , I am looking at a DIY CO2 unit.

I am in process of buying a fire extinguisher, a Quell.

Is 2kg sufficient or should I go with the 3.5 kg. We have a 3.5 kg at work and it is huge. I would rather go with a smaller cyclinder, as I guess refilling the cylinder is not really a major expense.

[flukes]

Thats up too you, and how often you want too refil it, id say the 3.5kg would last you about a year maybe more.

Also depends on the space you have to work with.

[weird]

I am going with the 2 kg size as it is more suitable for my environment.

Is this theory correct ?

1. During day, plants require CO2 , but produce oxygen.

Running an airstone and/or sponge filter will push CO2 out of the water as quickly as you can push it in with your CO2 unit so do not run these during the day.

2. With a timer run you airstone and/or sponge filter at night, as plants require oxygen (for respiration) at night . With timer/solenoid turn off CO2 unit at night.

[kalebjarrod]

not quite true,

plants respire during the process's of photosynthesis

plants require co2 + nutrients and sunlight during the day which they then turn into glucose(sugar) and h2o as a biproduct

plants actually give off o2 during the night and day as they respire converting the glucose back into energy

so you are best to have the co2 on al the time and the sponge filter all the time

this will simplely satuate the water will co2 and oxygen,

co2 will naturally disipate with water movment over the surface weather it be day or night airstone or no airstone

o2 is needed all day by your fish

turning them on and of will drop and drop pH, discus won't like that

[Bad Inferno]

If you have not got an online ph meter be very very careful. You can easily drop the PH by .5 in 15 minutes if like me have very little kh. I run a quell 3.4 kg with just an airstone

[weird]

I managed to pick up an old style quell 3.4 kg =)

Can you recommend where I can obtain a regulator, flowmeter and solenoid ?

I contacted BOC, and enquired about a 'Greenhouse kit' which contains all 3 bundled, but it was quite expenise, around $400. I was hoping to only pay about $150 - $200 for all three items.

A BOC CO2 regulator by itself was $134

Thanks in advance

[kalebjarrod]

ebay sells them

[weird]

thanks mate.

I was hoping someone may recommend a national seller, and what prices to expect ... from my little experience it seems sometimes luck of the draw if you happen to get a helpful and knowledgeable salesperson ... if anyone minds sharing what brand/model/store they used in either the regulator, flowmeter and solenoid department and any titbit I would be more than appreciative ... complete newb in this territory but having fun =)

[Al]

www.milwaukeemeters.com sells regulator, solenoid, needle valve and bubble counter for $220 from memory... I think they are based in Queensland.

Hope this helps.

[flukes]

Just make sure you get it for your unit, all this must connect. you may still need a change of thread for extinguisher but i think quells are alright for the regulator too sit straight in.

I wouldnt reccomend buying off ebay just because there are regulators for different things.

I know the beer brewers use similar products and thats where i got my needle valve from, iam sure they had regulators aswell but iam in no hurry too set mine up as i want too get a ph controller aswell. So iam doing it bit by bit and then iam going to set it up on a 6ft planted.