Needle Valve and Pre Filter question

[HybridHerp]

1st question should be so bad. Anyone know of a good prefilter for a Marineland Penguin 100 filter? And a prefilter for a Whisper 2 Power filter?

2nd question is a little more difficult. My co2 is now running fine and all, but for some reason I still cannot get the bubble count higher for my 75 gallon. The line for my 10 is working just fine, and I can easily raise the co2 more than needed, but I'm struggling to get 2bps into my 75....when really it should probably be at 3 or 4 to get the drop checker green.

I think it might be that there is a leak between my needle valve and my manifold, but I'm not sure how to test that. Can the soap and bubble thing be used? Or would that screw with the teflon tape on the needle valve?

To be honest, I think I didn't use enough tefflon tape when I had to re-attatch it to the manifold, but the way it is now, I'd have to take the manifold off of the regulator in order to adjust this needle valve, which I want to avoid doing because the 10 gallon needle valve is on that manifold.

Btw, while on the topic, what are the best needle valves out there? I might want to replace mine at some point in time, just not sure what the good ones are.

[oldpunk78]

What needle valves are you upgrading?

[HybridHerp]

Tbh, I don't even remember atm what they are lol
I'm kinda not going to be seeing them for a bit either, so I'll have to get back to you on that muchhhhhhh later on.

Aside from that, I do wanna know if I can do a bubble test on the needle valve or if that will ruin the connection.

[oldpunk78]

You can get that connection wet.

[HybridHerp]

SO, am I going to have to take off the manifold in order to tighten the needle valve and not have a way of checking if it is indeed the needle valve that's the leak?

[oldpunk78]

Wut? Pic please. I can't visualize what you're talking about.

[HybridHerp]

Alright, I'll get a pic up later.

[Darkblade48]

Originally Posted by HybridHerp

SO, am I going to have to take off the manifold in order to tighten the needle valve and not have a way of checking if it is indeed the needle valve that's the leak?

I'm not quite sure what you are asking here as well - as oldpunk78 mentioned, a picture would be infinitely helpful.

From what I think though, you do not need to take off the manifold to tighten the needle valve. You just need two wrenches: one to tighten, the other to act as a counter torque.

Also, as mentioned, you can just apply a solution of soapy water directly to the joint that you think is leaking. If there are small bubbles forming, then you will need to tighten that joint.

[HybridHerp]

Sorry I'm super late on this, but I hope these pics help with visualizing what I'm asking.

Is there a way to re-apply Teflon tape in-between my needle valve (the one that is in a wonky position) and manifold without having to take the needle valve off? Because the way this is positioned now, I'd have to take the manifold off to get the needle valve off, which would suck majorly.

I just know as it is that the needle valve seems kinda wonky in how it is placed atm, and that I don't have the pressure I'd like going into the tank that the weird needle valve is in charge of.

[HybridHerp]

Also, I'd love to see if there is a leak where that needle valve (upside down one) meets the manifold, but can you leak test that without screwing up the Teflon tape?

[oldpunk78]

You don't use Teflon tape on the 10-32 threads. They use a little gasket. You also won't need to move anything to remove them. You just turn the hex on the end by the part you use to adjust them. No, putting soapy water won't hurt any thing but the electronic part of the solenoid.

[acitydweller]

just wanted to say thank you OldP for teaching me something new.

[ryu1]

I think what the problem was he is using the green upaqua atomizer from his 75G journal, there is no way you can get enough co2 for that tank. From my experience only, there is no way for me to get more than 2bps even if I dialed my gauge to 60psi. I only use it for tank less than 10gal.

[HybridHerp]

Wait, really? So you're saying I should try a different diffuser?

[ryu1]

Use a reactor or at least the inline atomizer. Forget about trying to increase bps, I dont think you can with that atomizer. Sorry to say this but stop wasting money on many plants (Ex. Pantanal) you can't grow without proper condition and co2 unless you fixed the tank issue. Grow the easy to medium species well then try the harder one. Good luck.