Setting the c02 rate

[Gerryd]

Hi Tom,

I know when we setup the c02 atomizer that we found the single bubble rate point first.

We then connected the c02 to the atomizer. At that point you started turning the vernier handle OPEN and counting.

Were you counting FULL turns of the valve or increments of 1 on the vernier markings? I missed that UOM....

I know you set the PSI to 10-15 or so and I know many folks with atomizers go for higher...

Any thoughts to share on the initial setting of the rate?

Obviously only time and plant health will tell if set correctly

I expect to adjust over the next several weeks....monitoring is constant...will be easier for now with no critters so I can crank it up as I like/need...

 

[Matt F.]

not Tom, but now is the time to crank the co2 as high as it will go. You don't have to worry about too much co2 w/o critters in there. Too much co2 will only help plant utilize the rich nutrients in the fresh aquasoil. This will help the plants compete with algae, etc.

I like doing daily >50% water changes for the first two weeks and I dose glutaraldehyde at the suggested water change day dose.

crank teh co2.

 

[Gerryd]

not Tom, but now is the time to crank the co2 as high as it will go. You don't have to worry about too much co2 w/o critters in there. Too much co2 will only help plant utilize the rich nutrients in the fresh aquasoil. This will help the plants compete with algae, etc.

I like doing daily >50% water changes for the first two weeks and I dose glutaraldehyde at the suggested water change day dose.

crank teh co2.

Hi Matt,

It is cranking....I increase a bit daily but via the ph range and time it takes to do so, both Tom and I feel this may be a good starting point. However, he also gives the same advice: 'crank it now while you can'

So, I will do so...However, I do want to increase daily w/o being able to observe and guage the growth and such.

Appreciate your thoughts...

I will do 75% water changes every 3 days for at least 4 weeks...

 

[Matt F.]

Hi Matt,

It is cranking....I increase a bit daily but via the ph range and time it takes to do so, both Tom and I feel this may be a good starting point. However, he also gives the same advice: 'crank it now while you can'

So, I will do so...However, I do want to increase daily w/o being able to observe and guage the growth and such.

Appreciate your thoughts...

I will do 75% water changes every 3 days for at least 4 weeks...

I was injecting 40+ppm in my 55Long during the cycling phase (co2 was much higher, but I was using 4dkh). Plus I added glut daily. I find that with Amazonia 1 growth accelerates after about 3-6 weeks--depending on the plant. You should take pictures to document the growth~!

 

[Tom Barr]

I always add over 40ppm to all my tanks, with fish.............unless they are non CO2 tanks.

I added 4 clicks on the handle higher than we had it set. This should be fine. Some run the psi at 30, I really see no need.

 

[Gerryd]

I always add over 40ppm to all my tanks, with fish.............unless they are non CO2 tanks.

I added 4 clicks on the handle higher than we had it set. This should be fine. Some run the psi at 30, I really see no need.

Tom,

When we set it to 1 bubble initially, did you do 40+ CLICKS or FULL TURNS of the valve? That is what I don't remember......

 

[Tom Barr]

4 notches more on the handle, so maybe 4/10th of a turn.

 

[Gerryd]

Hi all,

It seems that the atomizer I have does indeed require a higher PSI to produce a mist.

I had the PSI about 10-15 and no mist. I turned it to 20 and within seconds a nice cloud of mist was generated...

I know Henry and JJ both have mentioned that and my experience seems to bear them out...

I am NOT saying this applies to ALL types of c02 diffusion methods: reactors, mazzeis, needle wheel, etc.

 

[Left C]

May I ask what atomizer that you are using?

 

[Gerryd]

May I ask what atomizer that you are using?

Permission granted.....obviously tacitly as the question has already been asked

I have the UP brand 16/22 mm model. Using 20 PSI I can drop the ph from 6.1 to 5.1 in about 45 minutes in the new 220. I can deal with that....Plus it is OUT of the tank which is also nice. I will simply carry a few onhand to swap out quickly. I don't think you can really clean these but not sure.

Sorry, I meant to reply earlier and forgot.....

 

[Left C]

Permission granted.....obviously tacitly as the question has already been asked

I have the UP brand 16/22 mm model. Using 20 PSI I can drop the ph from 6.1 to 5.1 in about 45 minutes in the new 220. I can deal with that....Plus it is OUT of the tank which is also nice. I will simply carry a few onhand to swap out quickly. I don't think you can really clean these but not sure. .....

Maybe I saw it listed somewhere, but not in this thread. It is the Up Aqua atomizer then. Up has atomizer versions that either mount inline with the filter's tubing or versions that just stick on the glass. http://www.ebay.com/sch/?_kw=up ato...lstpos=27217&_sc=1&_sop=15&_stpos=27217&gbr=1

Many people report having to use 30 to 45 psi with the Up Aqua Atomizer, but you are using 20 psi which got my attention. It is what I purchased for my 40BR.

The reason that I asked was because I was planning on using a regulator that has a 0 to 60 psi low pressure gauge (2 to 40 psig rating). If I am not mistaken, aren't you using a VTS253A-1993 with a 0 to 30 psi low pressure gauge (2 to 15 psig rating)? I too have a VTS253A-1993 that I can use, but it will not crank up any higher than 24 psi. Your 20 psi setting is throwing me a bit of a curve ball. I wonder if you will have to crank up your regulator past 24 psi as the atomizer ages and its pores start clogging a bit. ???

 

[Tom Barr]

JJ mentioned using 30psi for them.

Things requiring such high pressure seem like you are asking for leaks.
The tubing, the connections etc........

 

[jerrybforl]

Tom you mentioned that to me about the leaks so I went home and dropped the pressure to about 10-12psi. Problem is that the atomizer wasn't working so I cranked it up to 20psi and is working fine. When I got mine from Henry, he mentioned that he runs his at 20psi. As far as cleaning, I think you can soak in bleach just like you would a glass diffuser to clean it out. Not sure on that but I will ask Henry and see what he says about it.

 

[Tom Barr]

Yes, I recall you both making mention of this. These things like some other atomizers require higher psi............but as that increases a lot, so does the leak likelihood.
They are convenient and seem to work well for folks. I had one to try out some time ago. I ended up selling it. I cannot recall the psi I had it set at.

Getting old.

 

[Jim Miller]

If you're not fond of potentially introducing bleach into your tank after cleaning you can use H2O2 with equivalent cleaning results.

Jim

 

[Htomassini]

As far as cleaning, I've had mine running for about 6 months now and no buildup. Remember the water is flowing through a porous ceramic pipe and the co2 is being pressurized from the outside in, so nothing is sticking to the ceramic. It it not exposed to light so it will not grow green spot algae either.

And yes, it can quickly drop the ph if you are not careful. The nice thing is unlike the money I've spent in the past on expensive reactors this is a bargain. No moving parts.

 

[Gerryd]

Maybe I saw it listed somewhere, but not in this thread. It is the Up Aqua atomizer then. Up has atomizer versions that either mount inline with the filter's tubing or versions that just stick on the glass. http://www.ebay.com/sch/?_kw=up ato...lstpos=27217&_sc=1&_sop=15&_stpos=27217&gbr=1

Many people report having to use 30 to 45 psi with the Up Aqua Atomizer, but you are using 20 psi which got my attention. It is what I purchased for my 40BR.

The reason that I asked was because I was planning on using a regulator that has a 0 to 60 psi low pressure gauge (2 to 40 psig rating). If I am not mistaken, aren't you using a VTS253A-1993 with a 0 to 30 psi low pressure gauge (2 to 15 psig rating)? I too have a VTS253A-1993 that I can use, but it will not crank up any higher than 24 psi. Your 20 psi setting is throwing me a bit of a curve ball. I wonder if you will have to crank up your regulator past 24 psi as the atomizer ages and its pores start clogging a bit. ???

Yep, that's the one. It has suction cups so sticks right on the glass and easy to mount and install...

Yes, I have a 1993 model.

Note that I noticed the ph was not as low as before I switched the tank. I was about 20 psi and the ph was 5.5. I increased to 25 psi and within 30 mins the ph was 5.1...more mist as well.

So pressure IS important to how efficiently these models operate.

I think it important to keep an eye on c02 anyway but I want to see how this works out over time...

 

[Jim Miller]

I've said in the past that I believe the apparent rapid increase in dissolution is not actually happening. I think the measurement methods are being thrown off by direct contact with CO2 bubbles rather than a solution containing sufficient PPM of dissolved CO2.

That of course is an untested theory...

jim

 

[Left C]

Yep, that's the one. It has suction cups so sticks right on the glass and easy to mount and install...

Yes, I have a 1993 model.

Note that I noticed the ph was not as low as before I switched the tank. I was about 20 psi and the ph was 5.5. I increased to 25 psi and within 30 mins the ph was 5.1...more mist as well.

So pressure IS important to how efficiently these models operate.

I think it important to keep an eye on c02 anyway but I want to see how this works out over time...

This is good news. You aren't seeing any leaks or problems, are you?

I hope to use my Up Aqua atomizer with an Eheim 2028 for my 40BR. My stand for the 40BR shipped today. This is the last piece of the jig saw puzzle. Maybe I'll have this tank going soon. It has been waiting in the wings for so long now.

 

[Gerryd]

This is good news. You aren't seeing any leaks or problems, are you?

I hope to use my Up Aqua atomizer with an Eheim 2028 for my 40BR. My stand for the 40BR shipped today. This is the last piece of the jig saw puzzle. Maybe I'll have this tank going soon. It has been waiting in the wings for so long now.

No issues or leaks so far....seems to work fine....I think a safe min is 20-25 psi just to be safe...maybe when brandy new 20, but is only 2 weeks old now....If I have to increase from 25 we know there may be an issue..

Get that 40br up already!!!!