BPS drop when cylinder pressure drops

[Filet-O-Fish]

Most, if not all the regulator sold at Singapore LFS is single stage. For dual stage you need to get from overseas.

Interesting...so why don't the Singapore LFS bring dual stage regulator, when there is this demand?

Can dual stage regulators be used with UP inline diffusers with regards to the working pressure required?
I'm currently using a ANS brand with a 2 way splitter to 2 separate UP inline diffusers.
Experiencing similar situation as Vinzin, in which I notice inconsistent BBS.

[Shadow]

I think even the single stage work fine as long as you are not too perfectionist

Normally the dual stage have knob to change the working pressure. So it should work with any type of diffuser, just change the working pressure accordingly.

[vinz]

I don't think there is demand for dual stage because I think very few local hobbyists are aware of the differences or are adversely affected by the disadvantages of single stage. I suspect at lower BPS, the impact is not very obvious. For me, the difference is obvious in both BPS and sudden algae bloom.

I guess dual stage is not necessary for most smaller aquariums and the aquarium products manufacturers don't see enough demand to justify it. Only niche companies like CO2Art and Green Leaf Aquariums sell them. I'm lucky that CO2Art seem to be having a semi-permanent sale on their regulators. With the gaining popularity of micro atomisers like the Intense one, companies like ANS simply introduce "New Version" single stage with higher fixed working pressure.

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[tawauboy]

yeah Vinz! long time ...

flow rate measurement devices are available for industrial and medical use. should cost quite a fair bit. try checking dwyer or sierra flow meters

a splitter with multiple needle valves should resolve your bps woes.

[vinz]

Woohoo! Got a call that a package was delivered to my home. Should be the regulator or the splitter. (Sorry, little boy in me still gets excited about new toys!)

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[Filet-O-Fish]

Woohoo! Got a call that a package was delivered to my home. Should be the regulator or the splitter. (Sorry, little boy in me still gets excited about new toys!)

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[vinz]

Darn... They left out a part which connects my splitter to the needle valve. Can't set everything up tonight.

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[Filet-O-Fish]

Darn... They left out a part which connects my splitter to the needle valve. Can't set everything up tonight.

Huh! So what're you going to do? Have you checked the packaging throughly? Which model did you order? There I are few models on the website where you cannot connect a splitter. It connects to only one connection.

[vinz]

Yep, checked the packaging thrice. Going to email them tomorrow. Its a small cheap plastic joint. They'll probably just send another one... Just got to wait another week or so I guess. They have the necessary connectors and joints on catalog that allow almost everything they sell to interconnect. Just need to order the right one.

Tested the solenoid and doing leak test overnight.

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[Filet-O-Fish]

Yep, checked the packaging thrice. Going to email them tomorrow. Its a small cheap plastic joint. They'll probably just send another one... Just got to wait another week or so I guess. They have the necessary connectors and joints on catalog that allow almost everything they sell to interconnect. Just need to order the right one.
Tested the solenoid and doing leak test overnight.

Hi
Any updates from the UK site for the missing part? How is the solenoid quality like?
Cheers

[vinz]

Emailed them and they sent out the piece immediately. Hope it gets here by next week.

The solenoid is German made, but only tested it briefly as I can't attach the bubble counter without the missing piece. Still using my old regulator, so can't tell whether it will be too hot. Tested the precision needle valve too and it works wonderfully. More precise adjustments as it takes bigger turns to open/close the valve.

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[Filet-O-Fish]

Emailed them and they sent out the piece immediately. Hope it gets here by next week.

The solenoid is German made, but only tested it briefly as I can't attach the bubble counter without the missing piece. Still using my old regulator, so can't tell whether it will be too hot. Tested the precision needle valve too and it works wonderfully. More precise adjustments as it takes bigger turns to open/close the valve.

glad everything is working out smoothly. Which model did you order?

[vinz]

I bought the dual stage with precision needle valve.

The missing part finally arrived last Thursday, but in the end didn't need it. I needed the part in order to setup a 4 way splitter with bubble counters, hoping that the split will lower the BPS 4 times. Theoretically, the 4 way split should have uniform pressure since they eventually join back to one, but this is not the case. Turns out one of the counters will bubble very fast (uncountable, as if its the only bubble counter), whereas the other 3 were very slow with different BPS. If I close off the fast one, the other 3 will speed up, but not uniformly.

In the end, I set up with a single Intense CO2 Aquarium Bubble Counter XL. Just changed the water to glycerin today and the BPS is just barely countable. At least, I can see distinct bubbles. Will probably resort to videoing and counting at slow mo as Filet-o-fish does.

Used Tomm Barr's method of measuring ml of CO2 over time to determine my previous injection rate so I can set the rate for my new regulator. I was doing 20ml in 20 seconds. Upped it to almost 30 ml in 20 seconds.

The precision needle valve is working like a charm. With the standard needle valves, the slightest turn would result in a comparatively large change in BPS. With this, I can fine tune the BPS much easier. It is quite easy to turn, so the lock nut helps to lock the setting in place. But the lock nut needs to be tighten with a needle nose pliers, else it'll still move at a slight touch.

The cylinder just happens to start droppjng pressure, so will see in the next few days whether my BPS stays stable.

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[drekfoo]

Hi all, have been reading this thread with keen interest for a while now, and I just acquired a Dupla set a couple of days ago, with the solenoid and regulator. Anyone has experience on this and any idea if this is considered a double gauge regulator with precision needle?

[Filet-O-Fish]

Hi all, have been reading this thread with keen interest for a while now, and I just acquired a Dupla set a couple of days ago, with the solenoid and regulator. Anyone has experience on this and any idea if this is considered a double gauge regulator with precision needle?

Hi
You can try http://www.aquatechnic.com.sg/co2.php
They seem to have a few models listed.

[drekfoo]

Hi
You can try http://www.aquatechnic.com.sg/co2.php
They seem to have a few models listed.

Thanks for this, was trying to attempt to decipher the information from the main Dupla website but it was a challenge and a half. This sums things up pretty nicely, appreciate it!

I purchased a second hand version of this but it was BNIB. Set it up happily thinking it was going to be a quick process but was hampered by the plastic nipple (that connects to the co2 tubing). The manual instructed me to use a 10mm spanner which I obediently followed. It snapped, with the plastic thread segment stuck into the metal thread - very likely due to degradation of the plastic piece. Spent 45minutes scraping out the remaining plastic thread and popped on the solenoid and turned on the main valve. There was a big WEEEEESH and co2 was escaping from joint between the cylinder and the regulator. To my dismay, the plugging system had semi-degraded too. Fixed the seal with Teflon tape and it seemed better. Not sure how long it'll withhold though.

TLDR: It's comforting that there's still a company bringing in this line.

Thanks once again!

[Filet-O-Fish]

I bought the dual stage with precision needle valve.

The missing part finally arrived last Thursday, but in the end didn't need it. I needed the part in order to setup a 4 way splitter with bubble counters, hoping that the split will lower the BPS 4 times. Theoretically, the 4 way split should have uniform pressure since they eventually join back to one, but this is not the case. Turns out one of the counters will bubble very fast (uncountable, as if its the only bubble counter), whereas the other 3 were very slow with different BPS. If I close off the fast one, the other 3 will speed up, but not uniformly.

In the end, I set up with a single Intense CO2 Aquarium Bubble Counter XL. Just changed the water to glycerin today and the BPS is just barely countable. At least, I can see distinct bubbles. Will probably resort to videoing and counting at slow mo as Filet-o-fish does.

Used Tomm Barr's method of measuring ml of CO2 over time to determine my previous injection rate so I can set the rate for my new regulator. I was doing 20ml in 20 seconds. Upped it to almost 30 ml in 20 seconds.

The precision needle valve is working like a charm. With the standard needle valves, the slightest turn would result in a comparatively large change in BPS. With this, I can fine tune the BPS much easier. It is quite easy to turn, so the lock nut helps to lock the setting in place. But the lock nut needs to be tighten with a needle nose pliers, else it'll still move at a slight touch.

The cylinder just happens to start droppjng pressure, so will see in the next few days whether my BPS stays stable.

Hi Vinz,
Thanks for the update. I've been waiting for this.

Is it safe to use glycerin? I know it's a big no no for inline diffusers.

BTW just for your info, the intense brand bubble counter is more suitable for a single Co2 diffuser or slow Co2 output. I have used brass counters ( 2 sizes) and many types of acrylic counters but in the end, I hit the sweet spot with this Ista brand.
As my Co2 output is very high ( maybe similar to yours), the water inside the old counters would be gone within 3 days. I had to refill them very often and of course the bubble count was uncountable.
With this model, I refill only every 2 weeks or even more due to the large volume for holding water. I think this model costs about $5 to $6 only but they very good IMO.
Furthermore, the bubbles from the Intense brand will be small due to the narrow and fine opening of the inside tube and bubble count will be fast whereas the bubbles from Ista brand is larger and more manageable for counting due to the wider inside tube.

As for taking slow mo videos, if you're using an iPhone, let me know. I know of some free apps that can slow down even normal speed videos.

Pardon me but I can't seem to understand what you meant by "It is quite easy to turn, so the lock nut helps to lock the setting in place. But the lock nut needs to be tighten with a needle nose pliers, else it'll still move at a slight touch."
A photo of this "lock nut" would be much useful.

Cheers.

[Filet-O-Fish]

Thanks for this, was trying to attempt to decipher the information from the main Dupla website but it was a challenge and a half. This sums things up pretty nicely, appreciate it!

I purchased a second hand version of this but it was BNIB. Set it up happily thinking it was going to be a quick process but was hampered by the plastic nipple (that connects to the co2 tubing). The manual instructed me to use a 10mm spanner which I obediently followed. It snapped, with the plastic thread segment stuck into the metal thread - very likely due to degradation of the plastic piece. Spent 45minutes scraping out the remaining plastic thread and popped on the solenoid and turned on the main valve. There was a big WEEEEESH and co2 was escaping from joint between the cylinder and the regulator. To my dismay, the plugging system had semi-degraded too. Fixed the seal with Teflon tape and it seemed better. Not sure how long it'll withhold though.

TLDR: It's comforting that there's still a company bringing in this line.

Thanks once again!

Wow! you had quite an adventure. Since your Co2 device is 2nd hand, it would be very wise to test all the connections using soapy water.This procedure has come in quite handy for me a few times .
See this video for the steps involved.
Cheers.

[Shadow]

They actually sell soapy water in the bottle

[vinz]

The photo below shows the SMC Precision Needle Valve (photo from CO2Art). The topmost ridged knob is for adjusting the injection rate. The lock nut is the hexagonal nut below that. Once you are done setting the injection rate, tighten the lock nut downwards to lock the setting in place.



I'm using the eXtra Large Intense bubble counter. Is this what you are referring to (photo from CO2Art)? I really like that I can twist off the bottom part and refill without having to detach the CO2 pipes.



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