CO2 Flipper

[taz]

Is there anyone familiar with the Zigzag CO2 flipper (one similar like Dennerle's). I could't get mine working properly. The bubbles seems to stop 1/4 way up the zigzag ladder and stay accumulated till the whole big bubble just "burp" upwards. I tried tilting here and there and no improvement seen. Can anyone enlighten me? Many thanks

[eric_kclee]

1. the flipper should be clean
2. the flipper should be level
3. And it should not be placed near any strong current, like my friend put it near power head outlet..turbulent or vortex affect the bubble rising.

[tawauboy]

is the flipper new? if new, you'll have to wait for about 2 days before it will function properly.
else check the position where the co2 stop moving. is there some 'bump' or something which impedes the co2 bubble movement.

[taz]

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On 12/24/2003 9:41:29 PM

is the flipper new? if new, you'll have to wait for about 2 days before it will function properly.
else check the position where the co2 stop moving. is there some 'bump' or something which impedes the co2 bubble movement.
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Yes, its brand new. Actually the flipper was my last resort since I couldn't make use of a diffuser or reactor. Its a 45cm tank with internal filter and the CO2 I split for the 2ft and this tank. The 2ft uses a reactor. I've tried using a diffuser but no bubbles appear. I guess the CO2 knows the easier way out.[] .

Anyway thanks. I will try both of your suggestion and see the outcome in these couple of days.

Cheers

[Simon]

taz, reason why diffuser aint working for you is the spilt.. you got to use the proper spiltter to regularize the pressure between two tubes.. especially when they are of different length

[taz]

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On 12/24/2003 11:14:27 PM

taz, reason why diffuser aint working for you is the spilt.. you got to use the proper spiltter to regularize the pressure between two tubes.. especially when they are of different length
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Hi Simon,

You mean I could get it work? But I'm not quite sure what you meant by using proper splitter. Is there a specialise part for splitting CO2 in aquarium usage? What I'm using is the common type of pneumatics splitter (Dia 6mm T-type black with blue joints from SMC). The air tubing is a black polyurethane tube.

Here's how I hook up the connections:

CO2(with solenoid control valve)
I
I
splitter -- C1 -- Reactor -- 1st tank I
I
I
2ndCV -- C2 -- Flipper -- 2nd tank

2ndCV = 2nd control valve
C1=bubble counter 1
C2=bubble counter 2

Initially when I use the diffuser, there's no bubble appearing even with fully opened main and 2nd control valve.The CO2 only rushes through the reactor.

From what I see here, I believe there's higher resistance for the CO2 to get through the diffuser ceramic plate than the reactor and that's why I see only bubbles at the reactor.

With that I swapped the diffuser with the flipper. With some tweaking to the main control valve and the 2nd valve, I manage to get bubbles on both bubble counters.

Perhaps you can illustrate to me a clearer picture here. I appreciate that. Thanks.

[Simon]

since you using a pneumatics splitter then perharps you can try using tubes of the same length for tank 1 & 2.

CO2(with solenoid control valve)
I
I
splitter -- C1 -- Reactor -- 1st tank I
I
I
2ndCV -- C2 -- Flipper -- 2nd tank

where is your 1st check value? my guess is the tube after the splitter to C1 and tube going to 2ndCV should be the same length. But frankly, a pneumatic splitter should also do the trick if the length is of different length.. strange

[loupgarou]

you can put needle valves at each split so that you can equalize the pressure between each one.

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however, the problem with the flipper is that it hasn't accumulated the slick bacteria film yet, that's why the co2 stops. just give it time.