Budget build, some suggestions on what's left.

[lipadj46]

Hello, I'm new here and am just getting into aquarium plants and have worked my way up to the point where I need CO2 in my 55 gallon. Right now I have a 105watt HO T5 fixture and am dosing dry ferts and excel. I have some green spot algae that is starting to grow on my plants so I am going to go to CO2 (in the mean time I am cutting back light and PO4).

So I am on a budget and this what I have got so far:

-Victor medalist single stage CO2 regulator ($40 shipped new)
-Burkert 6011 solenoid ($50 shipped)
-ideal 52-1-12 valve ($70 shipped)

I figure I need to order a check valve and bubble counter and I can get the rest of the fittings from the hardware store. Any suggestions on some decent affordable sources for a check valve and bubble counter? I may even forgoe a real bubble counter and just make one for the time being or just make a clear reactor where I can see the bubbles. Thanks in advance.

Edit: Oh yeah here is the tank:

 

[fjf888]

Here's a suggestion

http://www.greenleafaquariums.com/co2-bubble-counters/atomic-bubble-counter.html

http://www.jbjnanocubes.com/contents/en-us/p10757.html

or you can diy your own. I'm sure many on here have done that. From experience, go with quality check valves, going cheap on something that's already cheap is not worth it.

 

[hbosman]

If you have Green Spot Algae I wouldn't cut back on the PO4, I'd increase it. Increased PO4 and CO2 is the best way to get rid of GSA. I would get two check valves. Put one between bubble counter and regulator and the second between the bubble counter and reactor/diffuser. When I used to use a bubble counter, the water would sometimes suck out of the inline bubble counter and go down the tube towards the regulator when the CO2 pressure was shut off. The other check valve prevents water coming from the aquarium towards the bubble counter when CO2 shuts off.

 

[lipadj46]

Great thanks for the info guys.