Multiple Tanks and CO2

[Kelly]

Thanks Wolfiewill,

I tried to find out the max output pressure of the Carbondoser on the Aquarium Plants site but they don't list it under technical specs.

[tanksalot360]

I've been happy with CO2art's manifold (5 needle valves) ~50CAD shipped with in-tank diffuser/bubble counters (eBay) ~9CAD ea. I can't comment much on the pressure, but I know that the regulator is set >30psi to compensate for additional outputs- running 3/5 atm.
The diffusers produce very fine bubbles, they may not be as efficient as something inline, but It's good enough for me.

[charlie]

Thanks Wolfiewill,

I tried to find out the max output pressure of the Carbondoser on the Aquarium Plants site but they don't list it under technical specs.

Your max output pressure is 15 PSI.
The failures of the Milwaukee type regulators of the world are well documented !
Fluval co2 diffusers will work with even DIY sugar & yeast generators.
It does not matter what regulator you use with a PH controller, the regulator is  just needed for it`s intended purpose to down regulate the working pressure from 3000PSI to a workable pressure typically anywhere from 10 PSI to 60 PSI, the needle valve quality and precision is not important, in fact one can argue you don`t a needle valve with the use of a PH controller.
The GLA pro 1 regulators are no special assembly & can be easily replicated  with the same quality regulator ( Beer primary co2 reg) the Fabco NV 55-18 needle valve which was redesigned by a gentleman at Fabco air to utilize the modular design after he observed how it was done by Orlando at GLA, which is how everyone does it with manifolds, same with the solenoid, it was a regular Fabco solenoid recoiled for lower wattage to reduce the heat factor .
At the end of the day , none of this addresses the issue faced by Kelly  - supply 2 tanks with CO2 from one co2 regulator set up.
If it was me i would sell the Carbon Doser you have now, buy or build yourself a unit with 2 or 3 needle valves output
But that is just my opinion.
I hope you come out this months meeting, you might just be tempted to take a different approach.
Regards

[charlie]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjxEQdxADRk

[wolfiewill]

This discussion on the Planted Tank dot net website may also be appropriate, and perhaps informative, too.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/9-equipment/1121290-help-me-assemble-my-co2-regulator.html?utm_content=thumb2

[exv152]

With all due respect, I must strongly disagree with exv152. I have in use now several CO2 'kits'. These include 4 Milwaukee kits - all running at 40 psi. So in this vein, perhaps I should weigh in. I've had several discussions lately with people about to purchase CO2 kits for the first time, and so would like to relate my experiences with the following kits. I have an AquaMedic, Milwaukees (x4), an AquariumPlants.com, a custom built, and a GLA 4 counter kits running now.

Question for you Wolfie, how many of your milwaukees, aquamedics or carbondoser regulators do you have running with co2 splitters? And, how many of those co2 split feeds do you have atomic diffusers (like in the pic on the 1st pg) attached to those feeds?

I personally don't buy the entry level regulators for several reasons. But I do have a Cornelius single stage regulator (same as the body of the carbondoser) and I can tell you it will barely handle splitting the co2 feed into 3, much less 6, ways. Then try adding an atomic diffuser to those co2 feeds and you won't see a single bubble come out. Guaranteed. The guage for the working pressure may read a max of 60psi but that doesn't mean it can be set to 60, or that it's reliably delivering 60psi.

[wolfiewill]

Question for you Wolfie, how many of your milwaukees, aquamedics or carbondoser regulators do you have running with co2 splitters?

None.

And, how many of those co2 split feeds do you have atomic diffusers (like in the pic on the 1st pg) attached to those feeds?

When I tried them I was using in tank Fluval types of diffusers and the Milwaukee kit. I was getting bubbles from all of them, but the control on any one changed over time and each one changed differently. I suspected that the splitter was warming up after the solenoid started to heat up, and the needle valves heated to different degrees depending on the proximity to the solenoid. When I changed the bubble count on one, it effected the count on the others. In those days I was running low bubble counts to achieve pHs in the 6.8 to 6.4 range. I don't think I was making huge demands on it. In hind sight, perhaps the quality of the solenoid could have been better, and so with less heat, perhaps more control.

[exv152]

When I tried them I was using in tank Fluval types of diffusers and the Milwaukee kit. I was getting bubbles from all of them, but the control on any one changed over time and each one changed differently.

That's the whole point, the entry level regulators (like milwaukee, carbondoser, aquatek etc.) are not the best option for splitting co2, and adding atomic diffusers which have higher cracking pressure, this leads to what you described - drifting and fluctuating co2. They're fine if you only have one co2 diffuser like the fluval in-tank diffuser, or rex grigg reactor. But in my experience if you invest in a higher quality regulator like a dual stage, and a quality needle valve/metering valve (Parker, Fabco), then you can raise the working pressure to be able to handle a splitter and a series of atomic diffusers, and you get virtually no drifting or fluctuating.

[wolfiewill]

You're probably right. I never realized there would be a difference. Have you tried a splitter on a higher quality CO2 kit? I know I should know this but I can't remember....

[Kelly]

I'm not following well, you gentlemen are far more advanced in this than I am. I think I understand that my Carbon Doser regulator doesn't have a strong enough output to split. Could I use a 2-way splitter and skip the external reactor and just go with 2 in tank defusers, would it be strong enough to do that? If not I guess I'll have to look into a new regulator, any recommendations?

[exv152]

You're probably right. I never realized there would be a difference. Have you tried a splitter on a higher quality CO2 kit? I know I should know this but I can't remember....

I once tried splitting the co2 feed from a micromatic single stage (good quality single stage btw) and I had a heck of a time trying to balance the two sides. One would be too high while the other too low, and then when I tried adjusting it, it would do the same vice versa. I think had I had a regulator at the time that I can increase the working pressure substantially I probably could've pulled it off. But at lower working pressures (15-40psi) I find the gas tends to choose the path of least resistence. You should definitely look into a good quality dual stage regulator with working pressure in the range of 0-200psi (on the gauge) which really means 0-100psi in max capacity (the WP guages are always designed to go double its actual capacity).

Wolfie - one of these days we're gonna get you over to the dark side of dual stages...lol

I'm not following well, you gentlemen are far more advanced in this than I am. I think I understand that my Carbon Doser regulator doesn't have a strong enough output to split. Could I use a 2-way splitter and skip the external reactor and just go with 2 in tank defusers, would it be strong enough to do that? If not I guess I'll have to look into a new regulator, any recommendations?

You can definitely try splitting it 2 ways. It may work if you're using a passive co2 diffusion method such a DIY reactor. If you're planning something that requires more, like 30+psi (like the atomic inline diffuser in the above pic) you're probably better off just using one feed. Two intank diffusers may or may not work. They're similar to the inline atomic diffuser, but they do have a smaller porous surface, so it may work.  

[exv152]

...just to add to that. I would go with a 1/8" T fitting instead of buying an actual 2-way splitter. It's way cheaper...

[charlie]