Has anyone tried this DIY CO2 option?

[budak]

Fans of Aquajournal would probably recognise the name of the guy who published the short-lived, and much mourned English edition. He also devised a "high-tech DIY CO2 system" (see link below) in the days when off-the-shelf systems cost an arm and a leg. What I am told is that among the key features of this system is the industrial Fine Control Valve, which is like a hi-fi radio receiver's Fine Tuning system, allowing very precise control of CO2 release rate.

I wonder if anyone else has tried putting together such as system - maybe the DIY experts would like to give it a go??

High-tech DIY CO2

[timebomb]

James helped about 15 hobbyists setup their own high-tech CO2 system several years ago. I still keep in touch with 2 of them but I have lost contact with the others. James' system, which I'm still using, is built around the nupro valve. It's supposedly a very very fine fine-tuning valve used in industrial printing. The only person I know who has a spare nupro is Edward. Maybe you would want to make him an offer for the valve the next time you bump into him. But take note that the valve alone costs about $85.

Although the system was built many years ago, I still consider it as one of the best in the market. I've yet to see a better fine-tuning valve than the nupro. You can turn several revolutions and it will only affect the bubbling rate by a little bit.

As for the solenoid valve James proposed, it used to cost only about $60 in the old days. I read here on the forum people speaking of solenoids that cost a lot more. I wonder why. In any case, even James himself does not use a solenoid valve in his CO2 system anymore. It has become an obselete piece of equipment as far as the "old-timers" are concerned.

Loh K L

[DEA]

yeah
but the thing is, doing this, you save like 50 bucks
given that you have a car, the transport comes to about 20
add in the time you spend to test and assemble it, to me it's not worth the bother

don't get me wrong
i think it's a very cool thing he has done
the quality of the parts is better than the parts we're using
however, the chain is only as strong as it's weakest link
and the weakest link is between the keyboard and the chair
unless you have good hands-on skills and experience with these kind of systems, i wouldn't recommend it

that said, if i didn't already have 2 full co2 sets i'd be very tempted [] []

[Allen_1971]

For me the attraction is the nupro valve... as you know tuning bubble count can be a real pain in the behind... I called the company mentioned in the article and they still sell the valves at $72.65 for NuPro (model B-4MG2). They also have a stainless steel model which sells at about $114.... however both models out of stock, and they will only bring in if there is an order... I'm thinking of ordering one to try...

[timebomb]

yeah
but the thing is, doing this, you save like 50 bucks
----------------
That's true. I wouldn't have done it for 50 dollars too, David. But what you are forgetting is that the article that Budak directed us to was written in October 96. That's more than 6 years ago. In those days, there were only 3 fish shops in Singapore selling CO2 systems, namely, Crowntol, Aquatechnics and Keong Seong. In other words, there were only 3 models available. Actually, there were only 2 because Keong Seong is always out of stock. The one from Aquatechnics was not very suitable because of the tiny gas cylinder they were using and Crowntol's system was built around a Taiwan made regulator and valves.

Now, hobbyists are luckier in the sense that the choices available are many. 6 years ago, other than the 3 shops I mentioned, easily more than three-quarters of the other fish shops have never heard of something called a CO2 system.

Allen, if quality is what you are looking for, you will not regret buying the Nupro. As James said in those days, the Nupro is the Rolls Royce of all fine-tuning valves.

Loh K L

[kc]

...and I thought only cheap regulator like mine is giving fine tuning problem!

I tuned and tuned for 2 years, turned left and right until it get too loose.

[DEA]

i'm not david

anyway, kc, it's not the problem with the regulator
the very fact that bubbles are coming out at reduced pressures means it's working fine
it's the needle valve that's screwing u up
anyway, the ones i got from petmart are working perfectly

imo in today's technological edge, most products are engineered well enough to work within acceptable ranges
the difference between the nupro and normal needle valves is the difference between a casio and a rolex

[ZeRoC00l]

Might as well buy a dupla regulator. $150++

control to 1 bubble per 10 sec.

Can add a gague or a solenoid if you feel that there is a need.

i'm using it now, no leak, constant flow = NO complaints other than the price.

Had enough of cheap taiwan/other brand regulator leaking CO2, cost more to keep refilling in the long run.

My tank ~1.9L suppose to last 6mth, still going strong at 6.5mth. running at 1bps during day 7am - 5pm. []

** I.M.O. []

[DEA]

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On 1/11/2003 5:15:03 PM

My tank ~1.9L suppose to last 6mth, still going strong at 6.5mth. running at 1bps during day 7am - 5pm. []

** I.M.O. []
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ahh
1 bps
what are you growing, perchance?