Pressurized CO2...Just thought I'd share.

[oldpunk78]

Originally Posted by ray-the-pilot

You do realize that a thermometer doesn't measure temperature. It measures volume. So do you call it a volumeter?

I guess I would personally use the term "co2 controller" when they come out with a device for us that uses a probe that actually measures co2 concentration in your tank and adjusts the co2 levels to what ever you want them to be at.

My bad for being argumentative. I just wanted to make sure that the process by which this device works was understood.

[ray-the-pilot]

Originally Posted by Darkblade48

Not sure what you are getting at here - I would not say a thermometer measures volume; as temperature increases, the volume of the liquid changes, however, and we use this change in volume to get the temperature.
.

Not sure what you are getting at here - I would not say a co2 controller measures pH; as CO2 increases, the pH of the liquid changes, however, and we use this change in pH to control the CO2 level.

[newbieplanter]

Originally Posted by oldpunk78

Some low voltage Burkerts are AC. If it is indeed AC it will say something like 24V 60hz.

There's one listed as 24VAC?

Originally Posted by Darkblade48

I would not recommend the Clippard MNV-4K2, as I mentioned in my original post.

For the Burkert solenoid, either the 12V or 24V will work fine; be sure you know if it is VAC or VDC, and be sure to use the appropriate converter.

Now what's a converter???

[oldpunk78]

Originally Posted by newbieplanter

There's one listed as 24VAC?

I don't know. I haven't looked in a while. There was...

It won't say "24VAC", it will look like 24V 60HZ (if it's AC)

If it's DC, it will say 12VDC for example.

[newbieplanter]

Originally Posted by oldpunk78

I don't know. I haven't looked in a while. There was...

It won't say "24VAC", it will look like 24V 60HZ (if it's AC)

If it's DC, it will say 12VDC for example.

A site I was looking on has one listed that states its a 24vac

[oldpunk78]

Originally Posted by newbieplanter

Now what's a converter???

Like a wall wart, cell phone charger type of power supply. There's a billion different kinds out there. It's critical that you get the right one.

[Darkblade48]

Originally Posted by ray-the-pilot

Not sure what you are getting at here - I would not say a co2 controller measures pH; as CO2 increases, the pH of the liquid changes, however, and we use this change in pH to control the CO2 level.

So it is just a matter of perspective; as oldpunk78 mentioned, I would refer to a CO2 controller as something that utilizes a CO2 probe and not a pH probe.

Originally Posted by newbieplanter

There's one listed as 24VAC?

Yes, there was.

Originally Posted by newbieplanter

Now what's a converter???

Originally Posted by oldpunk78

Like a wall wart, cell phone charger type of power supply. There's a billion different kinds out there. It's critical that you get the right one.

+1. A wall wart works well, if the solenoid you purchase requires DC voltage. If it requires AC voltage, there are similar wall warts, but they appear similar to DC ones (just be careful and look over specification sheets carefully before purchasing).

Originally Posted by newbieplanter

A site I was looking on has one listed that states its a 24vac

As mentioned, you would require the appropriate step down transformer then.

[oldpunk78]

Originally Posted by newbieplanter

A site I was looking on has one listed that states its a 24vac

I was talking about what's actually printed on the coil. I don't trust what the sellers claim the item is.

Be aware that the power supply for the AC version may be hard to find and set you back around $20 when you do find it.

[ray-the-pilot]

Originally Posted by Darkblade48

So it is just a matter of perspective; as oldpunk78 mentioned, I would refer to a CO2 controller as something that utilizes a CO2 probe and not a pH probe.

I agree this could be a matter of perspective. But do you agree that you can use a Milwaukee (fill in the blank) controller to control CO2? And very well I might add.

[oldpunk78]

Originally Posted by ray-the-pilot

I agree this could be a matter of perspective. But do you agree that you can use a Milwaukee (fill in the blank) controller to control CO2? And very well I might add.

LOL - it's always been my opinion that it doesn't do anything that you can do by yourself. I guess that if your running a regulator of questionable quality, it would be a good idea viewing it more like a safety net.

[Darkblade48]

Originally Posted by ray-the-pilot

I agree this could be a matter of perspective. But do you agree that you can use a Milwaukee (fill in the blank) controller to control CO2? And very well I might add.

Originally Posted by oldpunk78

LOL - it's always been my opinion that it doesn't do anything that you can do by yourself. I guess that if your running a regulator of questionable quality, it would be a good idea viewing it more like a safety net.

I agree with oldpunk78. The Milwaukee controller can be used to control CO2, but I have never found a need to use one - I can understand the idea of having a stable pH, but I find this unnecessary.

If, for example, you were running a regulator that had a floaty needle valve, then I can see where a pH controller could become a good safety net (just in case the CO2 suddenly increases).

[ray-the-pilot]

Originally Posted by Darkblade48

I agree with oldpunk78. The Milwaukee controller can be used to control CO2, but I have never found a need to use one - I can understand the idea of having a stable pH, but I find this unnecessary.

If, for example, you were running a regulator that had a floaty needle valve, then I can see where a pH controller could become a good safety net (just in case the CO2 suddenly increases).

LOL!
You guys from the dark ages make me laugh!
My CO2 controller keeps the CO2 level the same no matter what the conditions. If I have one plant or 100; in high light or low; with one fish or 100 fish; high aeration or no aeration; day or night. Reliable, reliable, reliable, no questions asked just service!
I like to think of your input vs outflow system as a wood burning stove and a controller as a thermostatically controlled central heating system. Yes you can heat a room with a wood burning stove but it is hard to get things in balance what with opening windows when it is too hot and adjusting the draft at night and having hot and cold spots. My thermostat like my CO2 controller does all that for me.

One other thing I forgot to add on my previous post (You should have an edit post feature on this board).
I can easily adjust my CO2 levels in increments of 2 ppm.

RTP

[Darkblade48]

Originally Posted by ray-the-pilot

LOL!
You guys from the dark ages make me laugh!
My CO2 controller keeps the CO2 level the same no matter what the conditions. If I have one plant or 100; in high light or low; with one fish or 100 fish; high aeration or no aeration; day or night. Reliable, reliable, reliable, no questions asked just service!
I like to think of your input vs outflow system as a wood burning stove and a controller as a thermostatically controlled central heating system. Yes you can heat a room with a wood burning stove but it is hard to get things in balance what with opening windows when it is too hot and adjusting the draft at night and having hot and cold spots. My thermostat like my CO2 controller does all that for me.

Not quite sure how to respond to this - there are many people that use CO2 without a pH controller, and have very successful aquariums.

You are right in saying that a pH controller can keep the pH very stable, but at the same time, pH swings induced by CO2 injection are not harmful to livestock, in general. Rather, it is excessive CO2 that will (and too often) kill off livestock; a pH controller will help prevent this.

Keep in mind that it is not the absolute pH that is important either; rather, a drop in pH can be associated with a certain concentration of CO2 dissolve in the water column, and this is what is more important to note. This is mainly because pH can be affected by other factors, such as tannic acids.

All in all, if you have excess money, a pH controller might be a night item to consider, but I would not say it is absolutely necessary for a functional aquarium. In my opinion, it would be better to invest in something like a dual stage regulator, so that a pH controller would not even be necessary in the first place.

Originally Posted by ray-the-pilot

One other thing I forgot to add on my previous post (You should have an edit post feature on this board).
I can easily adjust my CO2 levels in increments of 2 ppm.

RTP

There is an edit feature; I have merged your posts.

[oldpunk78]

Originally Posted by Darkblade48

There is an edit feature; I have merged your posts.

I can't edit in here either...

[newbieplanter]

Originally Posted by oldpunk78

I can't edit in here either...

I thought I was the only one.