Fluval Mini Pressurized CO2 Kit

yaserrahim · April 28, 2011, 04:25:54 PM

So I got this kit for a 10g planted tank, seemed like the price was worth it. The only thing is, it says open the regulator valve and let the CO2 run until both of the diffuser chambers are filled with CO2. How do I know when they're full?

Saltcreep · April 28, 2011, 04:55:47 PM

Sounds like the simplest way would be to start with the chambers full of tank water. Turn it on, and when all the water is gone, they're full of CO2. Of course, I have no idea what the system looks like.

yaserrahim · April 28, 2011, 05:25:06 PM

That's what I was thinking too but open the regulator completely and it bubbled like crazy then just calmed down to nothing. I'm assuming that means it's full of CO2? (there was still water in the diffuser)

Here's a picture of the diffuser. Don't worry the smiley face stress ball is not in the tank

The hose just connects to a small 20g CO2 tank.

Saltcreep · April 28, 2011, 05:52:18 PM

Quote from: yaserrahim on April 28, 2011, 05:25:06 PM
.......open the regulator completely and it bubbled like crazy then just calmed down to nothing......

Are you sure there's a good charge on the tank. Unless it's creating back-pressure, which I don't think it would, I don't see why it would slow down.

yaserrahim · April 28, 2011, 05:55:28 PM

Quote from: Saltcreep on April 28, 2011, 05:52:18 PM
Are you sure there's a good charge on the tank.

What exactly do you mean by that? Sorry I'm new to planted tanks.

Saltcreep · April 28, 2011, 05:57:38 PM

It just sounds like everytime you turn on the tank it gives a little burst and then slows down - sort of like a battery on it's last legs. No expert here either - I'm using a DIY setup.

yaserrahim · April 28, 2011, 06:01:09 PM

Hmm. Well when I leave the tank on like half way it just continues to bubble. I normally just turn it off after 10 mins. Are you suppose to have continuous input of CO2 in a planted aquarium?

Saltcreep · April 28, 2011, 06:10:38 PM

I'll let one of our experts take that one, but as far as I know, once you have the flow set, you shouldn't have to fiddle with it until you change the tank, and the flow should be continuous as CO2 dissipates from the water very quickly.

yaserrahim · April 28, 2011, 06:26:26 PM

Hmm. K I guess I'll just leave it open for a bit and see what happens. Thanks for the help Salt.

yaserrahim · April 28, 2011, 10:46:22 PM

There seems to be water half up the tube connected to the CO2 tank. Is that suppose to happen?

Saltcreep · April 28, 2011, 10:57:04 PM

I would have to say 'No'. The tubing coming from the CO2 tank should be under slight pressure, not vacuum.

Toss · April 29, 2011, 08:35:05 AM

pics of the regulator's gauge would help, if there is any. CO2 must continuously on when you have light in your tank. CO2 is one thing in planted tank. There are many other things you need to consider, i.e. amount of plants you have in the tank, lights, fertilizer, pH and water hardness. Remember, too much CO2 will kill your fish.

morrom · April 29, 2011, 12:23:25 PM

Good day,

I also recently bought this set up for my low tech 12 gallon tank, tho it is annoying to have to constantly fill the diffuser chamber my plants love it.
I will break it down on how to use the kit, as explained to me by the staff at La Niche. And a little of my experience with the kit.

1# Set it up, you have this done properly. But with one slight difference, place the diffuser (clear thingy in your picture) into the water sideways allowing water to fill both chambers. Then stick it to the side of the tank.
2# Turn the CO2 on allowing it to fill both the chambers, this will push the water out and you will be able to see the CO2. Once the two chambers are full turn OFF the CO2 and allow it to defuse into the water.
3# Once the diffuser is empty i.e. full of water again, rinse and repeat step 2. I do believe the instructions say to do this 2-3 times a day.

Note: When filling the chambers I don't turn the valve all the way on just enough for it to start filling the diffuser, when the diffusers is full a big bubble of CO2 will come out of the top that's your Q to turn the valve off. I do this so I don't waste the CO2.

Hope this helps

Trevor

Saltcreep · April 29, 2011, 12:30:11 PM

Seems very labour intensive to me. As soon as that one big bubble of CO2 hits the surface, won't almost all of it be released into the room and not into the water? Maybe I'm just not getting how this system works.

Saltcreep · April 29, 2011, 12:52:14 PM

I just looked up this system online. Neat idea, but just how long would that little CO2 cartridge be expected to last? It looks like the same size as the ones used in soda spritzers and CO2 powered airguns. I can get close to 2 weeks out of one pop bottle in a DIY setup, with a continuous flow of micro-bubbles. I hope you're buying those cartridges in bulk. Check out some sporting goods specialty retailers; you can buy them in 20-packs.

morrom · April 29, 2011, 01:30:10 PM

Yes the system is nifty but you have to micro manage it allot, its major flaw.
The big bubble of CO2 will be released into the room, how every the rest of the CO2 in the diffuser will make its way into the water. As I mentioned above I turn the valve slowly just enough to fill the chambers slowly, as to minimise the amount of CO2 that escapes.
And to answer your question I have had the system running for 2 weeks now and I am still on my first CO2 canister. Good suggestion on the canisters I am sure you can buy replacements far cheaper at crappy tire or another similar location.

Trevor

yaserrahim · April 29, 2011, 01:34:04 PM

Quote from: morrom on April 29, 2011, 12:23:25 PM
Good day,

I also recently bought this set up for my low tech 12 gallon tank, tho it is annoying to have to constantly fill the diffuser chamber my plants love it.
I will break it down on how to use the kit, as explained to me by the staff at La Niche. And a little of my experience with the kit.

1# Set it up, you have this done properly. But with one slight difference, place the diffuser (clear thingy in your picture) into the water sideways allowing water to fill both chambers. Then stick it to the side of the tank.
2# Turn the CO2 on allowing it to fill both the chambers, this will push the water out and you will be able to see the CO2. Once the two chambers are full turn OFF the CO2 and allow it to defuse into the water.
3# Once the diffuser is empty i.e. full of water again, rinse and repeat step 2. I do believe the instructions say to do this 2-3 times a day.

Note: When filling the chambers I don't turn the valve all the way on just enough for it to start filling the diffuser, when the diffusers is full a big bubble of CO2 will come out of the top that's your Q to turn the valve off. I do this so I don't waste the CO2.

Hope this helps

Trevor

Thanks Trevor, that really does help.

Quick question though, how long does it take you to fill the diffuser with CO2?

Also, do you know if it would help to buy the glass or ceramic diffuser that fluval also markets?

Quote from: Saltcreep on April 29, 2011, 12:52:14 PM
I just looked up this system online. Neat idea, but just how long would that little CO2 cartridge be expected to last? It looks like the same size as the ones used in soda spritzers and CO2 powered airguns. I can get close to 2 weeks out of one pop bottle in a DIY setup, with a continuous flow of micro-bubbles. I hope you're buying those cartridges in bulk. Check out some sporting goods specialty retailers; you can buy them in 20-packs.

I'm hoping it lasts at least a couple weeks, considering the size of the tank (10g).

Sporting goods store huh, that might be a good idea. PetSmart sells a 3-pack of the CO2 cartridges for $19.99.

yaserrahim · April 29, 2011, 01:39:06 PM

Quote from: Toss on April 29, 2011, 08:35:05 AM
pics of the regulator's gauge would help, if there is any. CO2 must continuously on when you have light in your tank. CO2 is one thing in planted tank. There are many other things you need to consider, i.e. amount of plants you have in the tank, lights, fertilizer, pH and water hardness. Remember, too much CO2 will kill your fish.

There actually is no gauge on the regulator. It's a really small cartridge.

I'm using Fluval Stratum Substrate. It was recommended to me by an employee at PetSmart.

I don't have many plants, just some microsword, some baby tears and a few stalks of water wisteria. Now that you mention it, what is the optimum lighting for these plants?

morrom · April 29, 2011, 01:51:31 PM

Np,

To answer your qustion it only takes about 10-15 seconds to fill the diffuser, and I guess about 3-4 hours for it to empty. And as mentioned above you will have to re-fill the diffuser at that time.

I am not sure if the smaller set is compatable with the ceramic diffuser that they offer. I am heading to le niche tonight or tomorrow I will ask there staff as see what they say, and get back to you on this post.

Saltcreep · April 29, 2011, 02:00:31 PM

Quote from: yaserrahim on April 29, 2011, 01:34:04 PM
Sporting goods store huh, that might be a good idea. PetSmart sells a 3-pack of the CO2 cartridges for $19.99.

I think I read in this thread that this system uses 20 gram cartridges. Most of the ones I found online seem to be 12 grams so I don't know if they would fit or not. I would definitely stay away from Petsmart or any other LFS if you can get these elsewhere. It's like paying $25 for a bag of "Natural" aquarium gravel at an LFS that you can get for $4 at any garden center (larger bag too), or the obscene price you pay for filter floss compared to 100% polyester pillow stuffing at WalMart.

The Canadian Tire website lists 40-packs of Crosman powerlets (12g), the type used in airguns, for $34.99.