Where is it?
- Thread starter THUNDER
- Start date
Not sure what system you are looking for, but here's what I use.....
I paid 77.00 for a 5lb CO2 bottle filled, locally.
Here's my regulator, solenoid, needle valve, bubble counter, and ph controller:
eBay: SMS122+ Milwaukee Co2 Regulator MA957+ GLASS Diffussor (item 7718751544 end time Sep-08-06 09:04:31 PDT)
Here's my reactor:
eBay: CO2 reactor M by AquaMedic Aqua medic upgrade of r 500 (item 330019576254 end time Aug-25-06 06:22:07 PDT)
With this reactor, you won't need to use the glass diffuser. Just hold on to it for emergencies if the reactor fails.
I paid 77.00 for a 5lb CO2 bottle filled, locally.
Here's my regulator, solenoid, needle valve, bubble counter, and ph controller:
eBay: SMS122+ Milwaukee Co2 Regulator MA957+ GLASS Diffussor (item 7718751544 end time Sep-08-06 09:04:31 PDT)
Here's my reactor:
eBay: CO2 reactor M by AquaMedic Aqua medic upgrade of r 500 (item 330019576254 end time Aug-25-06 06:22:07 PDT)
With this reactor, you won't need to use the glass diffuser. Just hold on to it for emergencies if the reactor fails.
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Oh yeah. That reactor is interesting. I've seen combos having difffusers and then reactors for a higher cost. There was several reactors, but the one you provide looks great. Could you explain the difference of 500 and 1000 on reactors? Does this go into the tank or can be outside of the tank? The CO2 system seem cool. I'm going to save that page.
Quote from the details...
Milwaukee SMS122 pH Monitor / Controller Double junction pH electrode
To make sure, does this turn the system on/off to keep the PH constant 7.0?
Thanks for the help!
Thunder
Quote from the details...
Milwaukee SMS122 pH Monitor / Controller Double junction pH electrode
To make sure, does this turn the system on/off to keep the PH constant 7.0?
Thanks for the help!
Thunder
The reactor 500 is just the reactor without the powerhead. It's used inside the tank, as the bottom is open. The reactor 1000 is designed to be hooked up to either a water pump or a canister filter output. It's used outside the tank.
As for the controller, it holds the ph where you set it. First you need to see what the ph will be at the CO2 levels you want, and set it there. I have mine set to 6.5. What that means is at 6.5, the CO2 shuts off. As the CO2 gases off, the ph will slowly rise. When it hits 6.7, the CO2 kicks back on and drives it back to 6.5, then turns off. The controller has an on/off distance of about .2. Also, you will need to callibrate the controller, so you will need 2 things. Need to get the ph 7.0 solution, as well as Distilled White Vinegar. Don't worry about getting the other ph solutions, the vinegar does just fine. you will first calibrate the controller to 7.0 with the 7.0 solution. Once you have it calibrated, then you will need to adjust the slope. You adjust it to the Distilled White Vinegar, which is a ph of 2.8. The controller will come with a small jewelers screwdriver. That's what you use to adjust the slope. With the probe in the distilled white vinegar, you adjust it til the controller reads 2.8. Then go back to the 7.0 solution. It should read 7.0. If not, then adjust one more time. Then go back to the vinegar and check the slope. Should be perfect, 2.8. Then the unit is calibrated and you rinse off the probe and place into the tank.
As for the controller, it holds the ph where you set it. First you need to see what the ph will be at the CO2 levels you want, and set it there. I have mine set to 6.5. What that means is at 6.5, the CO2 shuts off. As the CO2 gases off, the ph will slowly rise. When it hits 6.7, the CO2 kicks back on and drives it back to 6.5, then turns off. The controller has an on/off distance of about .2. Also, you will need to callibrate the controller, so you will need 2 things. Need to get the ph 7.0 solution, as well as Distilled White Vinegar. Don't worry about getting the other ph solutions, the vinegar does just fine. you will first calibrate the controller to 7.0 with the 7.0 solution. Once you have it calibrated, then you will need to adjust the slope. You adjust it to the Distilled White Vinegar, which is a ph of 2.8. The controller will come with a small jewelers screwdriver. That's what you use to adjust the slope. With the probe in the distilled white vinegar, you adjust it til the controller reads 2.8. Then go back to the 7.0 solution. It should read 7.0. If not, then adjust one more time. Then go back to the vinegar and check the slope. Should be perfect, 2.8. Then the unit is calibrated and you rinse off the probe and place into the tank.
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I have never used this or known anyone who has it but its amazingly cheap...
CO2 Pro System - Pet Solutions
Get the paintball one, go to your local DICK's sporting goods in the paintball section and buy a 20 oz bottle for 20 bucks. Its 5 dollars per fill (can be filled at dicks or any other paintball store)
I think I may have shown this to you though... Cant remember. But yea just posting it again.
CO2 Pro System - Pet Solutions
Get the paintball one, go to your local DICK's sporting goods in the paintball section and buy a 20 oz bottle for 20 bucks. Its 5 dollars per fill (can be filled at dicks or any other paintball store)
I think I may have shown this to you though... Cant remember. But yea just posting it again.
Yes, Breene, you've shown it to me. I've never heard of a store named, DICK'S, especially in all CAPS. Strange. Thankfully, such named store does not exist in this state, because of children. There are plenty of places to refill the CO2 canister near me.
It all comes down to the brand name. The one that Wolf shown me has a more trustworthy brand name.
Wolf, the directions you told me on how to set it up has blown me away. I hope there is instructions included with the system. A clear, step by step, instructions.
The Reactor 500 that you shown me, has a pump, so I assume that a powerhead or air pump is not needed.
I hope that all the equipments will not make my tank look junky and that I hope the plants will cover it all very well.
Is it okay for the plants to be surrounding the equipments? Is it okay for the plants to be touching the equipments?
Thunder
It all comes down to the brand name. The one that Wolf shown me has a more trustworthy brand name.
Wolf, the directions you told me on how to set it up has blown me away. I hope there is instructions included with the system. A clear, step by step, instructions.
The Reactor 500 that you shown me, has a pump, so I assume that a powerhead or air pump is not needed.
I hope that all the equipments will not make my tank look junky and that I hope the plants will cover it all very well.
Is it okay for the plants to be surrounding the equipments? Is it okay for the plants to be touching the equipments?
Thunder
No, the instructions won't help you much, I had to learn on my own, lol. When you are ready, I can walk you through it, but here it is one more time. You will need to get 2 additional things, and possibly 3. First is ph 7.0 solution and second is Distilled White Vinegar. The 3rd thing you will need down the road, which I also recommend getting, is the ph probe cleaner. I'll get links on ebay for you if you need them. But here's what you do....
Step 1: Set up the ph controller and plug it in.
Step 2: If the tip of the probe has any salt-like stuff on it, rinse it off in some water. It's just a protective solution they put on it. Perfectly normal.
Step 3: Place the end of the probe in the ph 7.0 solution. Use the provided screwdriver on the front of the controller, where it says Cal, and adjust it to 7.0.
Step 4: Rinse off probe and place in Distilled White Vinegar.
Step 6: Use the provided screwdriver on the back side of the controller, there is a small hole in the middle of the back. Adjust that until the meter reads 2.8.
Step 7: Rinse off probe, and place in ph 7.0 solution. If it reads 7.0, you are done. If it's a little off, readjust the front Cal to 7.0 again.
Step 8: Rinse off probe and place in Distilled White Vinegar. Should read 2.8. If it's off a little, readjust the slope in the back of the controller again to read 2.8. Then you are done. The meter is calibrated.
Step 9: Rinse off probe and place in the aquarium wherever you like.
Step 10: Once a month or every other month, clean probe with cleaner and recheck and recalibrate if necessary.
eBay: pH ELECTRODE CLEANING SOLUTION 230 mL (item 7559365910 end time Aug-28-06 17:26:35 PDT)
eBay: pH 7.01 CALIBRATION SOLUTION by Milwaukee Instruments (item 7756510560 end time Aug-31-06 00:29:02 PDT)
The way to use these solutions and make them last longer, don't stick the probe in the bottle. Pour a little of the solution in the cap, which is like a supplied cup that comes with it. Same with the cleaner. Then, when you are done, discard the solutions in the sink and put the caps back on the bottle. Each bottle should last you a couple years this way, or longer. But if you continue to place a dirty probe in the bottle, the solution will become more inaccurate each time you recalibrate due to putting a dirty probe into the bottle. So never do it in the bottle directly. Use the provided cup (the bottle cap).
Hope this gives you much pointers. And if any questions, feel free to ask.
Step 1: Set up the ph controller and plug it in.
Step 2: If the tip of the probe has any salt-like stuff on it, rinse it off in some water. It's just a protective solution they put on it. Perfectly normal.
Step 3: Place the end of the probe in the ph 7.0 solution. Use the provided screwdriver on the front of the controller, where it says Cal, and adjust it to 7.0.
Step 4: Rinse off probe and place in Distilled White Vinegar.
Step 6: Use the provided screwdriver on the back side of the controller, there is a small hole in the middle of the back. Adjust that until the meter reads 2.8.
Step 7: Rinse off probe, and place in ph 7.0 solution. If it reads 7.0, you are done. If it's a little off, readjust the front Cal to 7.0 again.
Step 8: Rinse off probe and place in Distilled White Vinegar. Should read 2.8. If it's off a little, readjust the slope in the back of the controller again to read 2.8. Then you are done. The meter is calibrated.
Step 9: Rinse off probe and place in the aquarium wherever you like.
Step 10: Once a month or every other month, clean probe with cleaner and recheck and recalibrate if necessary.
eBay: pH ELECTRODE CLEANING SOLUTION 230 mL (item 7559365910 end time Aug-28-06 17:26:35 PDT)
eBay: pH 7.01 CALIBRATION SOLUTION by Milwaukee Instruments (item 7756510560 end time Aug-31-06 00:29:02 PDT)
The way to use these solutions and make them last longer, don't stick the probe in the bottle. Pour a little of the solution in the cap, which is like a supplied cup that comes with it. Same with the cleaner. Then, when you are done, discard the solutions in the sink and put the caps back on the bottle. Each bottle should last you a couple years this way, or longer. But if you continue to place a dirty probe in the bottle, the solution will become more inaccurate each time you recalibrate due to putting a dirty probe into the bottle. So never do it in the bottle directly. Use the provided cup (the bottle cap).
Hope this gives you much pointers. And if any questions, feel free to ask.
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