A reactor mixes (or dissolves) the CO2 into the water in its chamber before it sends it out to the aquarium. But, I believe you are referring to a regulator, not a reactor. What a regulator does, is limit the amount of CO2 to a smaller amount. It regulates how much CO2 passes through, hence the name regulator. The gauge next to the CO2 tank tells you how much pressure the tank has going in the regulator. The other gauge tells you how much pressure is going out to the aquarium.
How do CO2 reactors work? What's the point?
I love planted tanks and I have many, however none of them have a true CO2 system. I have a small fluval co2 system, I use a paintball tank and just use a valve that I bought online that pumps co2 into the aquarium. It stays open w hen I have it open and closed when I have it closed, so there is no control. I was thinking of an easy DIY solution I want to try out and bring to you guys, but first I need to know what a reactor does? Why does it have 2 gages? Does it control how much is pumped in based on the amount of co2 already in the tank? Thanks much.
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The reason for the regulator is to make it possible to have much finer control over the flow rate (bubble rate) of the CO2 going to the aquarium. A 5 bubble per second flow of CO2 is an extremely low flow rate, and is almost impossible to hold steady or adjust slightly if the CO2 is at 800 psi. It would take a very expensive needle valve for that to work. The regulator drops the pressure of the CO2 to around 20 psi, and holds that pressure steady when the tank pressure varies with room temperature. At that pressure there are several reasonably priced needle valves than can adjust the flow rate to 5 bubbles per second, and adjust that accurately by 1 bubble per second or less.
Yeah I meant that sorry. Not a reactor, a regulator. Thanks
I ask because I plan on using a mini computer device that will hook up to a pressure controller valve and open/close every 7 seconds or so. Would that work? It would allow different amounts of bubbles to enter by regulating it from the tank. Thanks
I ask because I plan on using a mini computer device that will hook up to a pressure controller valve and open/close every 7 seconds or so. Would that work? It would allow different amounts of bubbles to enter by regulating it from the tank. Thanks
That doesn't solve the problem the regulator solves. The flow rates needed are so minute that it is just too much to expect to control the flow rate, or averaged flow rate, when you start out with 800 psi CO2. It is certainly possible to control the average flow rate by blipping out a very short duration high flow rate every few seconds, but I don't see what you gain by doing so. And any small failure in the timing of the blips of bubbles could easily kill every fish in the tank.Yeah I meant that sorry. Not a reactor, a regulator. Thanks
I ask because I plan on using a mini computer device that will hook up to a pressure controller valve and open/close every 7 seconds or so. Would that work? It would allow different amounts of bubbles to enter by regulating it from the tank. Thanks
Yeah but you could have the valve open once every minute or so correct? And you are still getting a small dose of it pumped into the tank.That doesn't solve the problem the regulator solves. The flow rates needed are so minute that it is just too much to expect to control the flow rate, or averaged flow rate, when you start out with 800 psi CO2. It is certainly possible to control the average flow rate by blipping out a very short duration high flow rate every few seconds, but I don't see what you gain by doing so. And any small failure in the timing of the blips of bubbles could easily kill every fish in the tank.
So this control valve is rated for 800+ PSI?Yeah I meant that sorry. Not a reactor, a regulator. Thanks
I ask because I plan on using a mini computer device that will hook up to a pressure controller valve and open/close every 7 seconds or so. Would that work? It would allow different amounts of bubbles to enter by regulating it from the tank. Thanks
And everything to the tank will be so rated?
Sounds like an opportunity for lots of leaks, blown fittings, and wasted CO2 to me.
I use two regulators. The normal one that everyone uses set to about 20 psi.
And an additional one hard plumbed to the first to step down to 5 psi with a solenoid attached to 2nd regulator discharge.
This is needle valved, counted, checked, and sent to a canister filter discharge reactor.
That doesn't sound like a "pressure controller" valve, it's flow control. There is already a system that has a valve that turns on and off to replace the needle valve. It still has a regulator. If you set up the perfect flow for your device at 800psi of tank pressure, what happens when the tank pressure falls to 400psi?Yeah I meant that sorry. Not a reactor, a regulator. Thanks
I ask because I plan on using a mini computer device that will hook up to a pressure controller valve and open/close every 7 seconds or so. Would that work? It would allow different amounts of bubbles to enter by regulating it from the tank. Thanks
Not trying to put a damper on your ingenuity, but before designing new components for a CO2 system it might be a good idea to get the basics down of how the system works.
Solenoid valves, used to start and stop the flow of CO2, are not designed to be opened and closed every few seconds, 100 times per minute, for example. If you use it that way it is almost certain to fail quickly. And, as Maryland Guppy pointed out, aquarium CO2 solenoids are not designed to be used with 800 psi CO2, so it is very likely that they would crack, if not burst, with that much pressure on them. Even if they could handle the pressure it is unlikely that the solenoid would be strong enough to open them with that much pressure holding them closed. High pressure rated solenoid valves would be much more expensive than our aquarium valves are, so any savings from omitting the regulator would be eaten up by the cost of the solenoid valve.
Simple. A regulator steps down the pressure from ~800 PSI to 20-30 PSI which it is manageable. That's what your Fluval system does.Yeah I meant that sorry. Not a reactor, a regulator. Thanks
I ask because I plan on using a mini computer device that will hook up to a pressure controller valve and open/close every 7 seconds or so. Would that work? It would allow different amounts of bubbles to enter by regulating it from the tank. Thanks
Without it, well, here's a CO2 tank that's venting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ82YZ1R_qM
Yes I mean I would use the regulator that comes with my CO2 tank which strains it down to 20-30 PSI, THEN I will use the flow control to open and close and do all that stuff.Simple. A regulator steps down the pressure from ~800 PSI to 20-30 PSI which it is manageable. That's what your Fluval system does.
Without it, well, here's a CO2 tank that's venting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ82YZ1R_qM
OK, great.Yes I mean I would use the regulator that comes with my CO2 tank which strains it down to 20-30 PSI, THEN I will use the flow control to open and close and do all that stuff.
Now two items that are attached to a regulator do flow control. Like Hoppy explained above, the first is a solenoid which simply turns the flow ON or OFF. The second item is called a needle valve, which controls HOW MUCH CO2 is allowed into the tank once the solenoid is opened to allow flow.
There will be no need to start and stop the flow every X seconds. The most efficient and easiest way is to allow the solenoid to turn the CO2 on in the morning about 1 hour before your lights go on and have it turn the CO2 off about 30 minutes before the lights go off. Use the needle valve to set a consistent rate of flow (ie: bubble rate) for the entire duration the CO2 is on.
Good luck!
Stupid question. Can you dial down the pressure using a regulator to say 20 psi. Then hook up another regulator to that output. to get finer control?The reason for the regulator is to make it possible to have much finer control over the flow rate (bubble rate) of the CO2 going to the aquarium. A 5 bubble per second flow of CO2 is an extremely low flow rate, and is almost impossible to hold steady or adjust slightly if the CO2 is at 800 psi. It would take a very expensive needle valve for that to work. The regulator drops the pressure of the CO2 to around 20 psi, and holds that pressure steady when the tank pressure varies with room temperature. At that pressure there are several reasonably priced needle valves than can adjust the flow rate to 5 bubbles per second, and adjust that accurately by 1 bubble per second or less.
EDIT: NVM I think is what you are describing
It isn't a stupid question. That is exactly how a two stage regulator works. One weakness of a one stage regulator is that they tend not to hold the output pressure at the same value when the input pressure drops down into the 200 psi or lower range. Many of them let the outlet pressure go up when that happens. A two stage regulator uses the second stage part to eliminate that problem.Stupid question. Can you dial down the pressure using a regulator to say 20 psi. Then hook up another regulator to that output. to get finer control?
EDIT: NVM I think is what you are describing
Yes you can, this would be a secondary regulator.Stupid question. Can you dial down the pressure using a regulator to say 20 psi. Then hook up another regulator to that output. to get finer control?
A dual stage regulator is 1 regulator with two gauges, input and output.
It also has two diaphragms rated for the gas to be used.
The 1st stage diaphragm is usually set my the manufacturer for the intended gas etc...
Usually this is an Allen screw adjustment I don't recommend changing. High PSI testing is needed.
The 2nd stage diaphragm is the one we all adjust by turning the knob.
A secondary single stage regulator is a wonderful addition to provide more precise control.
They are cheap, under $20, and at under $20 the diaphragm is usually not rated for CO2.
They will still last for years though, 5 or more for sure.
First dual stage regulator could be set near 1 Bar(1 Bar = 14.5037738 Psi) target 15 PSI.
That is if you are using a reactor, a diffusor that needs 35PSI or so will not work at this PSI.
Assuming you are using a reactor you are golden at this point.
Secondary regulator could be set for your working PSI, say 3-5PSI.
Add a solenoid, needle valve, and bubble counter and you are done.
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