CO2 SET UP

[tranquillizer]

wad do i need for a CO2 Cylinder set up ? example ... regulator , the tank , and wad's the purpose of each ... ?
pls help guys ...

[David]

First of all you need a CO2 Cylinder[] it may be good if you get a Cylinder that conforms to API, PSI, or BAR standards. Check the manufacturing and test date. All this should be stamped around the collar of the Cylinder itself.

Next would be the regulator. It would be good to get one with two gadget on it. One is to read the main Cylinder Pressure while the other the regulator chamber pressure. if budget permit, get one with the chamber pressure adjuster. This is good to regulate the pressure within the regulator to around 1.5 bar. The advantage is that it prolongs solenoid life and it ensures that not too much pressure jams the solenoid from closing properly.

The next import piece is the solenoid. This will help you to control when the CO2 delivers and shut via timer electrically.

It may also be good at this point to add a one way valve to prevent back pressure from sucking water into the regulator.

After this will be the bubble counter and the job of this is basically to measure (in terms of bubbles per second) how much CO2 is emitted into the tank.

Depending on your preference, the equipment choice to diffuse the CO2 is either a internal or external reactor or ceremic diffuser.

To connect all this togather, best to get a CO2 tubing as this would ensure leak free and consistant supply of CO2.

[CK Yeo]

In summary,

Cylinder - to store CO2. Get as big as you can afford or can fit your cabinet, so that you dun have to keep topping it up every now and then.

Regulator - Low the pressure to more managable levels.

Solenoid - Valve to turn on and off the CO2 electronically. Optional.

Needle valve - To fine control the flow of the CO2.

These are the basic stuff.

other "accessories" are

Check valve - To prevent backflow of water into the regulator.

bubble counter - As the name implies.

Diffuser/reactor/bell - Methods and devices to dissolve CO2 into the water. Vary in efficiency.

Best to get everything from one place, especially the basic parts, so then you won't have to worry about fitting everything together, or which part goes where. I got everything separate and have to source for connectors to fit this and that... a bit troublesome.

If you need more details, there are a couple of articles on the net that you can refer to.

ck

[fishboy]

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On 3/30/2003 8:18:10 AM

In summary,

Cylinder - to store CO2. Get as big as you can afford or can fit your cabinet, so that you dun have to keep topping it up every now and then.
Regulator - Low the pressure to more managable levels.
Needle valve - To fine control the flow of the CO2.

These are the basic stuff.

Best to get everything from one place, especially the basic parts, so then you won't have to worry about fitting everything together, or which part goes where. I got everything separate and have to source for connectors to fit this and that... a bit troublesome.

If you need more details, there are a couple of articles on the net that you can refer to.

ck
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Query: Is the needle valve incorporated onto the regulator?or separate? How optional is it if at all?

Does Chan really give the best deals for the above?
Anybody can help give a rough estimate for a 5 litre cylinder with tha above basics?[]

Thanx so much!

[tranquillizer]

alamak ... think i go for DIY better ... cheaper !!!!!

[juggler]

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On 3/30/2003 10:37:45 PM

alamak ... think i go for DIY better ... cheaper !!!!!
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Maybe this page will give you some basic info on CO2 System.

BTW - DIY CO2 is cheap if you can spare the time to do the mixing every month. I have done that for 2 years over 3 tanks! But if a nice and cheap 2nd hand set comes along, can try to get it to save some trouble. Moreover CO2 systems have resale value and you won't lose a lot.

[tranquillizer]

think i'll not invest in my 2ft tank for the moment ... in the future when there's a BIGGER tank for me den all this info will comes in handy ... thanks guys !!!!