Evaporation in Bubble Counters

[tropic]

I just so happen came across this thread. I am using the OF version also with bubble counter. My Co2 bubble counter seems to be low on water very fast...like less than 4days...is this normal for the rest of you?

[Urban Aquaria]

I just so happen came across this thread. I am using the OF version also with bubble counter. My Co2 bubble counter seems to be low on water very fast...like less than 4days...is this normal for the rest of you?

It shouldn't be losing water that fast... it usually takes many months for the water to slowly evaporate away (mine only needs to be topped up every year or so).

Maybe water is leaking from the bubble counter, check the seals to make sure its secure.

[vinz]

Depends on how high your bps is. Mine also takes just a few days. Evaporation.

~ Sent from Nexus 5 via Tapatalk ~

[tropic]

Thanks UA. I am using the same set of OF bubble counter that came with the set. Was looking for UP aqua model but NA dont seem to carry anymore. In any case, the bubble counter seems to be leak free...I read from other sources it could be also due to evaporation rate within the co2 tube.

[tropic]

Depends on how high your bps is. Mine also takes just a few days. Evaporation.

~ Sent from Nexus 5 via Tapatalk ~

Mine is about 5bps.. takes a few days. I am planning to maybe consider swop for a tube in the bottle kind of bubble counter. From my past experience of using the older version...the evaporation rate is not as bad as this.

[Urban Aquaria]

Yeah, evaporation rate does affect how much and how fast the water disappears, but in a closed air tight environment like a bubble counter, the evaporation rate should be very minimal... having to top up water in the bubble counter every few days seems rather strange, so far i've never encountered that sort of issue (in both high and low bps situations).

When talking about leaks, it's gas leak rather than the more obvious water leak that you have to look out for, it's possible a bubble counter may not leak water visibly, but there is a gas leak (could just be a minor leak) at a seal or connection point, that will greatly increase the bubble counter water evaporation rate, and possibly reduce overall Co2 injection efficiency too.

[vinz]

But it is not a closed environment. The CO2 rushing through should (in my limited understanding of evaporation, etc) cause evaporation and carry the evaporated moisture out through the tubes?

Anyway, did some reading up and some people use glycerine or mineral oil instead of water. First, no (or negligible) evaporation and supposedly slows the bubbles so it's easier to count. There are brands that sell a liquid to put in the bubble counter, but I think they are glycerine or mineral oil. Didn't look for or notice them in our LFS though.

I'm reluctant to try either of these until I read up more on their side effects on fish, plants, equipment, including the hoses. Personally, I just refill my bubble counter with water during weekly maintenance and double check the bubble rate.

[Urban Aquaria]

Thats quite a strange phenomenon you experienced there, to me at least... i checked with a few friends running Co2 injection on their tanks and they also only need to refill their bubble counters every few months or most only every year. I'd think that having to open the bubble to refill every few days or every week would be quite a hassle.

Personally, i use distilled water (bought from supermarket) to fill my bubble counters, and i fill the bubble counter up to 95% full, not sure if that makes a difference. After 6-7 months, they are still around 80% full. After a year, they usually become around 65-70% full, then i just top up with more distilled water.

I guess if evaporation rate is that high in your bubble counter, the mineral oil method may be the best solution for your setup.

[tropic]

Can i check with you guys if you are using the glass bubble counter that sits on the regulator or the external bottle with two thin pipe inside?

I used to run with the bottle type, no issues until now. Not really an issue but just irks me to refill now n then. I am putting my $ to try out on glycerin fluid for the bubble counter.

[Urban Aquaria]

But it is not a closed environment. The CO2 rushing through should (in my limited understanding of evaporation, etc) cause evaporation and carry the evaporated moisture out through the tubes?

You have a point there, i guess if the Co2 injection bps rate is really high, like >8 bps and the surface of the water in the bubble counter was churning like a boiling cauldron, that would greatly increase the evaporation effect... similar to the difference in evaporation between a tank with air stone and lots of surface agitation vs a tank with calmer water surface.

Can i check with you guys if you are using the glass bubble counter that sits on the regulator or the external bottle with two thin pipe inside?

I used to run with the bottle type, no issues until now. Not really an issue but just irks me to refill now n then. I am putting my $ to try out on glycerin fluid for the bubble counter.

For my setups, i'm using ANS glass bubble counters that are affixed to the solenoid regulator needle valve. Yeah, using glycerin or mineral oil will make a noticeable difference and probably solve the frequent refilling issue.

[vinz]

UA, this one? (image form East Ocean Aquatic website) I'm using a similar one from OF, except the transparent bit is plastic, not glass. The ANS one is glass?


My bps is not countable. Its a 600liter aquarium, so have to blast. Kinda troublesome to keep refilling, but its part of the routine now.

Tropic, please do update how it goes with the glycerine and where you get it.

[Shadow]

you can get glycerin from watson or guardian. The good thing is its a thick fluid that will slow down your bps, you will be able to see the bps.

[tropic]

I didnt know this topic have got good response. Should have open a new thread. Haha. Anyway here is a video from youtube. The fluid is abit thick though..

http://youtu.be/hJzq8eg6KZg

[vinz]

I'll split it out to a new thread shortly.

Btw, you can embedded a Youtube video by clicking the "filmstrip" icon above the typing area.

Alternatively, type the [video]...[/video] tags around the Youtube link like this: [video]http://youtu.be/hJzq8eg6KZg[/video]

The result is:

[Urban Aquaria]

UA, this one? (image form East Ocean Aquatic website) I'm using a similar one from OF, except the transparent bit is plastic, not glass. The ANS one is glass?


My bps is not countable. Its a 600liter aquarium, so have to blast. Kinda troublesome to keep refilling, but its part of the routine now.

Tropic, please do update how it goes with the glycerine and where you get it.

Yeah, mine are like that... not glass, it should be plastic. Sorry, keep thinking its glass.

[tropic]

Vinz, thank for splitting the thread!

UA, Maybe mine is plastic too...same as above. Come with the OF regulator set.

[kermit13sg]

UA, this one? (image form East Ocean Aquatic website) I'm using a similar one from OF, except the transparent bit is plastic, not glass. The ANS one is glass?


My bps is not countable. Its a 600liter aquarium, so have to blast. Kinda troublesome to keep refilling, but its part of the routine now.

Tropic, please do update how it goes with the glycerine and where you get it.

I am using this one and yes, water disappears within a week.. I usually top it up to 3/4 full.

[limz_777]

But it is not a closed environment. The CO2 rushing through should (in my limited understanding of evaporation, etc) cause evaporation and carry the evaporated moisture out through the tubes?

Anyway, did some reading up and some people use glycerine or mineral oil instead of water. First, no (or negligible) evaporation and supposedly slows the bubbles so it's easier to count. There are brands that sell a liquid to put in the bubble counter, but I think they are glycerine or mineral oil. Didn't look for or notice them in our LFS though.

I'm reluctant to try either of these until I read up more on their side effects on fish, plants, equipment, including the hoses. Personally, I just refill my bubble counter with water during weekly maintenance and double check the bubble rate.

increase bubble rate does increase evaporation, some people actually used this method(air pump) to increase humidity in the tank or dsm period

[Urban Aquaria]

increase bubble rate does increase evaporation, some people actually used this method(air pump) to increase humidity in the tank or dsm period

Yeah, thats what i figured in my follow-up post too.. at high bps injection rate with the water churning in the bubble counter, the evaporation rate should be much higher.

I didnt know this topic have got good response. Should have open a new thread. Haha. Anyway here is a video from youtube. The fluid is abit thick though..

Just wondering... with the bubbles slowing down in glycerin/mineral oil, how would the bps rate be calculated, since everything also become like slow motion. Perhaps there is a ratio to multiple it to translate it back to normal bps measurements? Interesting puzzle.

[vinz]

While still using water, set the bps you need. Then change to glycerin/mineral oil and check the new bps.

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