Frustrated with my Co2 setup.... halp!

1291 Views 13 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Sean W., Dec 1, 2016

Sean W.

Discussion Starter · Nov 30, 2016

Alright guys,

I am typing this with a band-aid on two fingers because I cut them with glass when I just broke my bubble counter...

I like to think I'm a pretty experienced aquascaper and have a pretty good idea of what I'm doing, but I am so frustrated right now.

I have 4 check valves in my co2 line and STILL, when the Co2 turns off, the water in the bubble counter drains into the co2 line. I broke the bubble counter and cut my hand when I was trying to get the tubing off the glass barbs...

So, my question is, how do I keep the bubble counter from draining into the co2 line when the co2 turns off for the night?

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Sucram Nosiren

· #2 · Nov 30, 2016

the fluval bubble counter is about $3 bucks on amazon and its not possible for it to drain because of its design

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milesm

· #3 · Nov 30, 2016

put another check valve immediately before (and after) the bc. alternatively, don't use a bc. some diffusers have built-in bc.

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irishspy

· #4 · Nov 30, 2016

There are also bubble counters with built-in check valves: I bought one from GLA and a "standalone" check valve as a backup. I'm amazed liquid got through all four of yours.

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Jeff5614

· #5 · Nov 30, 2016

Cabochon Ruby works like a charm below the bubble counter. There are knock offs for a lot less than the ADA product.

https://aquatic-garden.com/product/cabochon-ruby

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bk.

· #6 · Nov 30, 2016

I have the same issue as you, even with the fluval bubble counter that was recommended previously. It can, and will, still back siphon. I even bought nice check valves from US plastics on recommendation and they ended up letting water through the next day. Don't really want to drop $75 on an ada check valve but also don't want to ruin a nice custom co2 reg.

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Sean W.

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 1, 2016

milesm said:
put another check valve immediately before (and after) the bc. alternatively, don't use a bc. some diffusers have built-in bc.

Gave this a shot, we will see how it works tonight after the co2 turns off.

I put a fancy medal one before the bubble counter and a cheapo plastic one after bubble counter.

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houseofcards

· #8 · Dec 1, 2016

Well look on the bright side at least it wasn't the $70 BC from ADA

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Sean W.

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 1, 2016

houseofcards said:
Well look on the bright side at least it wasn't the $70 BC from ADA

This is true, I would have been much more upset...

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houseofcards

· #10 · Dec 1, 2016

Is that a Rhinnox 5000 disc? I had one of those on my 4-footer and it did a great job

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Sean W.

Discussion Starter · #11 · Dec 1, 2016

houseofcards said:
Is that a Rhinnox 5000 disc? I had one of those on my 4-footer and it did a great job

Haha wow! Yep it sure is! You must be even more of a die hard ceramic disk diffuser fan than I am to know the model name from just a picture! Haha

It's the biggest disk diffuser I could find. It's doing a great job.

In heind sight, it might be too big. Not terms of physical size, but in terms of the ratio of size to co2 bps. I'm feeding around 8bps and it's only producing bubbles from two small patches of the disk. I don't know what I would need to up the bps to for the entire disk to generate bubbles...

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EDLITE

· #12 · Dec 1, 2016

Hi Sean, do a quick check on check valves by sucking on both ends. If valve on co2 end makes a good vacumn on your tongue, its good to go. The head pressure from check valve is only as high as valve to top of tank. You sound like you know your stuff but make sure valves are in correct orientation.

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houseofcards

· #13 · Dec 1, 2016

Sean W. said:
Haha wow! Yep it sure is! You must be even more of a die hard ceramic disk diffuser fan than I am to know the model name from just a picture! Haha

It's the biggest disk diffuser I could find. It's doing a great job.

In heind sight, it might be too big. Not terms of physical size, but in terms of the ratio of size to co2 bps. I'm feeding around 8bps and it's only producing bubbles from two small patches of the disk. I don't know what I would need to up the bps to for the entire disk to generate bubbles...

Yeah I am LOL. Believe or not ADA only uses discs even on their 180g, they don't sell anything else. I think I recall after cleaning it with bleach it opened up more of the pores and the bubbles covered more of the surface and were a nice mist

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Sean W.

Discussion Starter · #14 · Dec 1, 2016

houseofcards said:
Yeah I am LOL. Believe or not ADA only uses discs even on their 180g, they don't sell anything else. I think I recall after cleaning it with bleach it opened up more of the pores and the bubbles covered more of the surface and were a nice mist

I know there are more efficient options out there, I just enjoy watching them tho! I would switch it out for another method if there was a quieter alternative.

I don't like the "glug-glug" sound of reactors...

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