90 Gallon - Now with CO2

[lucius]

Big thanks to daworldisback for the needle valve and a super duper big thanks to Charlie for pretty much everything else. 

Equipment



Day 1

[exv152]

Hey Lucius, Nice setup and nice tank, I have a micromatic regulator too. Just wondering, how are you counting the bubbles per second, are you using an inline bubble counter? And, what's the reading on your regulator's left gauge is that 600?

[lucius]

I'm using a Fluval bubble counter and the left gauge says 700.  Pyromateck recertified and refilled the canister earlier today.

[lucius]

Question - Should the solenoid be really hot?  I can't even touch it and no bubbles are coming out.  It's unplugged right now.

TIA.

[charlie]

Question - Should the solenoid be really hot?  I can't even touch it and no bubbles are coming out.  It's unplugged right now.

TIA.

That`s normal with the Clippard solenoid.
If no bubbles are coming out it is likely a piece of debris from the tank is blocking the port.
Errol

[lucius]

It turned out to be the nut valve being loose coming from the needle valve.  It was fine yesterday so I must have loosened it after I moved the entire unit a few inches late last night.

The hand held laser thermometer I have says the solenoid is about 74 degrees right now. 

[exv152]

The fact that bubbles are not coming out when it's plugged in is an issue. But being hot to the touch is normal for that model solenoid. I think it runs on 6 watts of power. If you want a low watt solenoid, check out the clippard mouse solenoid.

[charlie]

don`t stress about the heat of the solenoid, I have used them exclusively for years & they are all like that, as Eric said they run at a high wattage as far as small solenoids go.

I`m not quite clear what nut you are talking about - is the bubbles coming through now?
Errol

[exv152]

I think Lucius is talking about the compression nut on the swagelok NV coming loose.

[lucius]

I think Lucius is talking about the compression nut on the swagelok NV coming loose.

Yep.

Coming from a computer background, I'm not use to parts running that hot so that's why I was a little worried.  But if it's normal, then I just have to make sure no one touches it as I have it out in the open.

[ajm1961]

Love the tank!
Aside from the obviously good looking plants, those Columbian Red Tailed Tetras look right at home!
Nice job!

[Dxpert]

Looking great! Good work. What did you use for substrate?

[lucius]

It's 105 lbs of Super Naturals Kon Tiki from Big Al's laced with Fluorish tabs everywhere.

[sas]

Great looking tank and yes those tetras look fantastic as well.

[lucius]

Day 7

It's coming along and I just upped it to 3 bps. 

[charlie]

NICE
Thanks for keeping us posted.
Errol

[ajm1961]

Very nice indeed!
I have a 90 gallon project in my head, hoping to get it off the ground in the new year. You're inspiring me!
(and I have Columbian Tetras too!)

[sas]

Beautiful!

[exv152]

Nice job. I see the hygrophila difformis is liking it for sure. Columbian tetras are nice, I had a group a while back and love watching them feed.

[lucius]

K, I found some eggs.  They weren't there last night.  It's on the jungle val and the leaves are constantly moving in the outtake of the canister filter so I don't think they're from the tetra fish.  I have seen the oto's leaf surfing the jungle val.  They start off at the bottom and inch their way up.

So do you think they are from the oto's?