I have pretty much an identical setup to yours, 125, 14G sump, Mag 12, 10# as main, 5# as backup. 10# lasts about 2 months running 10 hours a day.
How many hours are you running and how many bps?
How many hours are you running and how many bps?
Using 10# of co2 a month...help?
Okay so I have a 125g tank w/29g sump, CPR overflow with 1200gph return feeding a grigg style reactor. I have a 10# co2 tank and a 5# for back up. I am having to refill the 10# once a month and that is begining to get old. There are no leaks. I have had the refill shop check the tank itself (dunked in water). I have sprayed the whole tank and regulator down and found no leaks. I use teflon tape around the threads. In short there are no leaks.
Is there anyway for me to cut my usage down without losing the sump? Is there any other kind of diffuser that would work well? Can I use a diffuser next to the return pump so it will grab the majority of the co2? Or should I just ditch co2 altogether and go back low tech?
This is costing me $20 and an hour of my life a month. It doesn't sound like much but I have a lot of other things I could be doing.
Is there anyway for me to cut my usage down without losing the sump? Is there any other kind of diffuser that would work well? Can I use a diffuser next to the return pump so it will grab the majority of the co2? Or should I just ditch co2 altogether and go back low tech?
This is costing me $20 and an hour of my life a month. It doesn't sound like much but I have a lot of other things I could be doing.
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co2 runs 10a-8p. Comes on an hour before the lights, goes off and hour before.
As for BPS I can't count that fast. It's a lot but it's the only way to get the DC to change color.
As for BPS I can't count that fast. It's a lot but it's the only way to get the DC to change color.
Teflon tape doesn't seal the join between the tank and the regulator if that is where the tape is going. The threading compresses that washer that goes between tank and regulator.
Are you leak checking the system a couple days after it is up and running? A couple times I have checked a couple days later and the system is leaking even though it wasn't at set up. I suspect it has something to do with temperature equalization between where the tank was held and my room.
And cover the sump up as securely as you can. Doesn't the CPR overflow even come with a cover? That might help as well.
My loosely covered 180 gallon tank and loosely covered 40 gallon sump use 10 pounds of CO2 in two months with the gas on 6 hours a day with a stream of gas rather than bubbles so a bubble counter is completely pointless.
Are you leak checking the system a couple days after it is up and running? A couple times I have checked a couple days later and the system is leaking even though it wasn't at set up. I suspect it has something to do with temperature equalization between where the tank was held and my room.
And cover the sump up as securely as you can. Doesn't the CPR overflow even come with a cover? That might help as well.
My loosely covered 180 gallon tank and loosely covered 40 gallon sump use 10 pounds of CO2 in two months with the gas on 6 hours a day with a stream of gas rather than bubbles so a bubble counter is completely pointless.
No, I have only checked for leaks after hook up, I will check tonight when I get home.Teflon tape doesn't seal the join between the tank and the regulator if that is where the tape is going. The threading compresses that washer that goes between tank and regulator.
Are you leak checking the system a couple days after it is up and running? A couple times I have checked a couple days later and the system is leaking even though it wasn't at set up. I suspect it has something to do with temperature equalization between where the tank was held and my room.
And cover the sump up as securely as you can. Doesn't the CPR overflow even come with a cover? That might help as well.
My loosely covered 180 gallon tank and loosely covered 40 gallon sump use 10 pounds of CO2 in two months with the gas on 6 hours a day with a stream of gas rather than bubbles so a bubble counter is completely pointless.
The sump is not covered and there really isn't a way to cover it with the return piping and hoses for the reactor. The overflow has a cover but I don't think that is helping very much with the open top sump.
I also have the stream of gas rather than bubbles.
Sumps (water gurgling down an overflow pipe) are very efficient in removing CO2. I don't see any way to cut down CO2 usage while keeping levels up and continue using the sump.
My 10lb tank lasts about 10 months supplying a 250gal and 36gal tank. Canister filters and hardly any surface agitation.
My 10lb tank lasts about 10 months supplying a 250gal and 36gal tank. Canister filters and hardly any surface agitation.
Saw a picture of you sump, it could be covered. I used a vinyl sheet (soft white plastic sheet) in Home Depot, but out openings for where the pipes are, and covered sides and pipe openings with duct tape. That worked out pretty well.
I've thought about going to a canister but to be honest I like the ability to keep a constant water level. I'm really thinking of just taking the co2 out of this tank and running it on another tank without a sump. I've only got a few plants in that tank that require co2.Sumps (water gurgling down an overflow pipe) are very efficient in removing CO2. I don't see any way to cut down CO2 usage while keeping levels up and continue using the sump.
My 10lb tank lasts about 10 months supplying a 250gal and 36gal tank. Canister filters and hardly any surface agitation.
That sump has changed quite a bit. It could be done but it would be a lot of work and be hard to get into as well.Saw a picture of you sump, it could be covered. I used a vinyl sheet (soft white plastic sheet) in Home Depot, but out openings for where the pipes are, and covered sides and pipe openings with duct tape. That worked out pretty well.
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