DIY Pressurized Co2 (with a sketch!)

**jaidexl** · 10-14-2007, 07:06 AM

Yes, it's not a question of whether or not you can adjust a particular bubble rate with a needle valve, it's whether said valve is rated to handle our low flow rates, once that tank reaches the critical pressure where your setup is unstable, it will dump it's entire remaining contents into your tank. If it's designed for higher flow rates, it just may kill your fish one day when you're at work, no sense in risking it. That's the one part of the entire contraption that you shouldn't skimp on unless you have no fish.

**BiscuitSlayer** · 10-14-2007, 12:43 PM

Skip the needle valve. You don't need it. You can control the pressure with the main valve right on the tank.

Kidding...

ummyeah · 10-14-2007, 09:34 PM

Really! I'm very interested in this concept, please elaborate further.

gotcheaprice · 10-14-2007, 09:48 PM

I think he said he was kidding. But You could contorl it, but won't be accurate at all.

Well, to elaborate, you would either have like, 10 bps, or like, 200 bps. I tried without a regulator or valve, and this is what I got. Don't really care much since my dad had an extra one, but now I do so I'm getting a regulator.

ummyeah · 10-14-2007, 10:17 PM

Ahh, missed that kidding part.

Well, I guess I'll be scouting for quality needle valves. SIGH!!!

**jaidexl** · 10-15-2007, 06:29 AM

I noticed there isn't a ton of layman's terms explaining what a low pressure regulator or needle valve does. Just imagine the breaks on your car are only rated for 15 to 100mph. When you slow down for a red light everything is cool until you get down to 14mph, then your breaks decide to stop working completely because they are only designed to handle 15-100mph. What happens then? You glide straight out into the intersection and get creamed by a semi.

Rex did the hard part and already scouted out the best few valves we can use for what we do, check his site. If you find a better one, I'm positive he'd like to hear about it so he can add it to the list. Prices are fairly awesome considering it's still a fraction of the price of other parts on the rig, but it's the one part that will save lives in your tank. Pretty much any reg you can get your hands on will work, canisters are all the same, tubing is all good for a while at least, but a needle valve is only good until it kills your fish, so buy one that won't do that. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

gotcheaprice · 10-15-2007, 08:36 AM

Wow, great analogy

Yeah, I was gonna gett e$22 from Rex's site since it's supposed to be a lot better than the clippards and can help prevent EOTD

ummyeah · 10-15-2007, 09:02 PM

Well, here's the thing. My local valve/parts etc. store has needle valves but I'm not sure if they have ones that will go low enough to control precisely. Although they did say they could special order any needle valves so what I will do is print Rex's list off and take it to the store to see if I can order.

Thanks for that fantastic analogy.

Man, I'm doing all this research and spending so much for my plants. I spend more on my aquarium than I do on myself. O well, but my plants better grow!

BTW, does anyone know if the Milwaukee all-in-one's are good? I hear they get problems after a while.

**mrkookm** · 10-15-2007, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ummyeah

O well, but my plants better grow!

I thought so too.

Quote:

BTW, does anyone know if the Milwaukee all-in-one's are good? I hear they get problems after a while.

I've heard the same thing you heard.

ummyeah · 10-15-2007, 11:57 PM

Okay so after some serious thinking, I was interested in the Azoo regulator. It was a good quality all-in-one solution, but it has a solenoid which I don't need. Apparently turning the co2 off at night is bad and most people leave it on 24/7 because of ph swings. I want to make sure that the beer regulator will not need to be replaced. Is my regulator good? I want this co2 system to last and I want to do this right the first time. Although the Azoo seems really expensive.

**jaidexl** · 10-16-2007, 12:12 AM

The commercial all-in-ones you'll hear most people having success with are the Milwaukee MA957, JBJ, Azoo, and aquariumplants.com's, I would guess they are all close to each other in quality, but I think I read that aquariumplant's uses a Cornelius regulator body (looks like one), which you'll have a hard time finding bad stories about. It's the same one Rex uses in the ones he sells, also the same one I used when I built my own. You can accidentally open full pressure into it without blowing it, which is something you hear happening sometimes with the MA957. Some people argue that more people own the MA957 resulting in a higher incidence of bad reviews, that could be true, yet I still haven't personally read any bad reviews of anything using a Cornelius body.

For the record, I use a solenoid at night and don't see any issues with the pH swing, the fish are all OK. Keep in mind the plants are going to be giving off a lot of CO2 at night. I use the solenoid just to save gas, it's certainly not a necessity.

**fishscale** · 10-16-2007, 01:59 AM

I guess the reason why the more expensive needle valves are better is because you have a higher chance of it working then the cheaper ones. Think of the extra cost as insurance; I would rather spend money on insurance than lose a lot of expensive fish.

**Blacksunshine** · 10-16-2007, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ummyeah

Okay so after some serious thinking, I was interested in the Azoo regulator. It was a good quality all-in-one solution, but it has a solenoid which I don't need. Apparently turning the co2 off at night is bad and most people leave it on 24/7 because of ph swings. I want to make sure that the beer regulator will not need to be replaced. Is my regulator good? I want this co2 system to last and I want to do this right the first time. Although the Azoo seems really expensive.

You really should go with the Solenoid. You can use that with a timer and control when the co2 goes on and off.
but if you really don't want it and you get one that comes with it I will give you $20 for the solenoid.

gotcheaprice · 10-16-2007, 03:23 AM

Yeah, I had trouble deciding between solenoid or not, but PPS Pro requires 24 hr co2 right? I'll get the solenoid just incase I ever need to switch back though.

ummyeah · 10-16-2007, 04:03 AM

Alright, I think I've made up my mind. I'm gonna get the Azoo. I like that once I get it, I don't have to go out shopping for all these different parts. It's easy, convenient and very high quality. I wanna do this right the first time and the solenoid saves money and is a great bonus. I also like how you don't have to adjust the regulator. I hear this is a much better choice than the Milwaukee and JBJ. One last thing, how's the needle valve on the Azoo? Thanks for everyone's help, I really appreciate it.

10-14-2007, 07:06 AM	#16 (permalink)
jaidexl Custom User (View User Tanks) PTrader: (32) Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: 33919 Posts: 2,358	Yes, it's not a question of whether or not you can adjust a particular bubble rate with a needle valve, it's whether said valve is rated to handle our low flow rates, once that tank reaches the critical pressure where your setup is unstable, it will dump it's entire remaining contents into your tank. If it's designed for higher flow rates, it just may kill your fish one day when you're at work, no sense in risking it. That's the one part of the entire contraption that you shouldn't skimp on unless you have no fish. __________________ Looking for stones

10-15-2007, 06:29 AM	#21 (permalink)
jaidexl Custom User (View User Tanks) PTrader: (32) Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: 33919 Posts: 2,358	I noticed there isn't a ton of layman's terms explaining what a low pressure regulator or needle valve does. Just imagine the breaks on your car are only rated for 15 to 100mph. When you slow down for a red light everything is cool until you get down to 14mph, then your breaks decide to stop working completely because they are only designed to handle 15-100mph. What happens then? You glide straight out into the intersection and get creamed by a semi. Rex did the hard part and already scouted out the best few valves we can use for what we do, check his site. If you find a better one, I'm positive he'd like to hear about it so he can add it to the list. Prices are fairly awesome considering it's still a fraction of the price of other parts on the rig, but it's the one part that will save lives in your tank. Pretty much any reg you can get your hands on will work, canisters are all the same, tubing is all good for a while at least, but a needle valve is only good until it kills your fish, so buy one that won't do that. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy. __________________ Looking for stones

10-16-2007, 12:12 AM	#26 (permalink)
jaidexl Custom User (View User Tanks) PTrader: (32) Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: 33919 Posts: 2,358	The commercial all-in-ones you'll hear most people having success with are the Milwaukee MA957, JBJ, Azoo, and aquariumplants.com's, I would guess they are all close to each other in quality, but I think I read that aquariumplant's uses a Cornelius regulator body (looks like one), which you'll have a hard time finding bad stories about. It's the same one Rex uses in the ones he sells, also the same one I used when I built my own. You can accidentally open full pressure into it without blowing it, which is something you hear happening sometimes with the MA957. Some people argue that more people own the MA957 resulting in a higher incidence of bad reviews, that could be true, yet I still haven't personally read any bad reviews of anything using a Cornelius body. For the record, I use a solenoid at night and don't see any issues with the pH swing, the fish are all OK. Keep in mind the plants are going to be giving off a lot of CO2 at night. I use the solenoid just to save gas, it's certainly not a necessity. __________________ Looking for stones

10-16-2007, 01:59 AM	#27 (permalink)
fishscale O.G. - original guppy. (View User Tanks) PTrader: (12) Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 3,667	I guess the reason why the more expensive needle valves are better is because you have a higher chance of it working then the cheaper ones. Think of the extra cost as insurance; I would rather spend money on insurance than lose a lot of expensive fish. __________________ Eheim Pimp #254, Eheim Wolverine #1 55 Gallon Work in progress 10 Gallon Shrimp Tank 10 Gallon Planted QT 20 Gallon Shrimp Tank (Work in progress)

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10-14-2007, 12:43 PM	#17 (permalink)
BiscuitSlayer Eatus Morus Biscuitus (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7) Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Acworth, GA Posts: 2,152	Skip the needle valve. You don't need it. You can control the pressure with the main valve right on the tank. Kidding...

10-14-2007, 09:34 PM	#18 (permalink)
ummyeah Banned (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: USA Posts: 195	Really! I'm very interested in this concept, please elaborate further.

10-14-2007, 09:48 PM	#19 (permalink)
gotcheaprice Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2) Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: HI Posts: 465	I think he said he was kidding. But You could contorl it, but won't be accurate at all. Well, to elaborate, you would either have like, 10 bps, or like, 200 bps. I tried without a regulator or valve, and this is what I got. Don't really care much since my dad had an extra one, but now I do so I'm getting a regulator.

10-14-2007, 10:17 PM	#20 (permalink)
ummyeah Banned (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: USA Posts: 195	Ahh, missed that kidding part. Well, I guess I'll be scouting for quality needle valves. SIGH!!!

10-15-2007, 08:36 AM	#22 (permalink)
gotcheaprice Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2) Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: HI Posts: 465	Wow, great analogy Yeah, I was gonna gett e$22 from Rex's site since it's supposed to be a lot better than the clippards and can help prevent EOTD

10-15-2007, 09:02 PM	#23 (permalink)
ummyeah Banned (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: USA Posts: 195	Well, here's the thing. My local valve/parts etc. store has needle valves but I'm not sure if they have ones that will go low enough to control precisely. Although they did say they could special order any needle valves so what I will do is print Rex's list off and take it to the store to see if I can order. Thanks for that fantastic analogy. Man, I'm doing all this research and spending so much for my plants. I spend more on my aquarium than I do on myself. O well, but my plants better grow! BTW, does anyone know if the Milwaukee all-in-one's are good? I hear they get problems after a while.

10-15-2007, 11:57 PM	#25 (permalink)
ummyeah Banned (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: USA Posts: 195	Okay so after some serious thinking, I was interested in the Azoo regulator. It was a good quality all-in-one solution, but it has a solenoid which I don't need. Apparently turning the co2 off at night is bad and most people leave it on 24/7 because of ph swings. I want to make sure that the beer regulator will not need to be replaced. Is my regulator good? I want this co2 system to last and I want to do this right the first time. Although the Azoo seems really expensive.

10-16-2007, 03:23 AM	#29 (permalink)
gotcheaprice Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2) Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: HI Posts: 465	Yeah, I had trouble deciding between solenoid or not, but PPS Pro requires 24 hr co2 right? I'll get the solenoid just incase I ever need to switch back though.

10-16-2007, 04:03 AM	#30 (permalink)
ummyeah Banned (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: USA Posts: 195	Alright, I think I've made up my mind. I'm gonna get the Azoo. I like that once I get it, I don't have to go out shopping for all these different parts. It's easy, convenient and very high quality. I wanna do this right the first time and the solenoid saves money and is a great bonus. I also like how you don't have to adjust the regulator. I hear this is a much better choice than the Milwaukee and JBJ. One last thing, how's the needle valve on the Azoo? Thanks for everyone's help, I really appreciate it.

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