Electronic Co2 Regulator any good? - Page 2

shoprat001 · 08/15/2008, 05:01 PM

So far this is what I did. I set the Electronic regulator to open every 2 secs. then I adjusted the pressure from the tanks so I got one bubble when the regulator opened.
Not sure if I explained it clearly but I now have to keep tabs on my PH in the reactor and my CA and ALK levels in the tank.
Norm

shoprat001 · 08/16/2008, 10:32 AM

Well I've found that setting operating pressure to 6.5 psi gives me one bubble per beat. The PH in my reactor is at 6.94. Is that good?
Norm

Todd March · 08/16/2008, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by shoprat001
Well I've found that setting operating pressure to 6.5 psi gives me one bubble per beat. The PH in my reactor is at 6.94. Is that good?
Norm

Mmmm--bubble count should not be dictated by the tank's operating pressure... Though not sure with this unit...?

6.5-6.9 is usually the sweet spot. Check out these great links:

MELEV ON CA REACTORS

TUNING A CA REACTOR

Lutefisk · 08/16/2008, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Todd March
[B]Mmmm--bubble count should not be dictated by the tank's operating pressure... Though not sure with this unit...?

Actually, when using needle valves, adjusting the pressure to obtain a desired bubble count is exactly what you do.

The smallest twitch of most needle valves makes a big difference in the bubble rate. Adjusting the pressure up our down a small amount, once you have the bubble count close to what you desire, is a great way to make small adjustments.

Paul

Lutefisk · 08/16/2008, 01:01 PM

BTW - here is the link to the "electronic regulator."

http://www.aquariumplants.com/Aquari...or_p/co2-2.htm

From the looks of it it is a standard regulator plus the box with the adjustable bubble rate. I'm going to guess that the box contains something like two solenoid valves with a small chamber in between and the timer.

Here is a guess as to how it works.

Let's say that valve #1 is closest to the gas inlet and #2 is on the output to the rector.

Start: Both #1 and #2 are closed
#1 opens and then closes pressurizing the chamber between the two valves
#2 opens exhausting the chamber into the reactor and then closes

Cycle repeats based upon the timer set by the potentiometer.

It should work very nicely. I'm looking forward to hearing more first hand reports. Also to the possibility that they will sell just the box for those of us who already have the regulator.

Paul

Harry_Fish · 08/16/2008, 01:01 PM

ok to show my ignorance

How do you use C02?

Lutefisk · 08/16/2008, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Harry_Fish
ok to show my ignorance

How do you use C02?

In reef aquariums CO2 is used in CO2 reactors to dissolve calcium carbonate as a calcium and alkalinity supplementation method. When used for this purpose, one of the challenges is to maintain a consistent and specific rate at which the CO2 flows into the reactor. Often this is ballparked by counting the number of bubbles per minute flowing into the reactor.

Paul

Harry_Fish · 08/16/2008, 01:52 PM

Paul, Thank you

So I really only need to worry about C)2 when I go to a reactor.

As I'm mostly softies and some LPS and I dose Kalk in my top off
I should be ok.

Lutefisk · 08/16/2008, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Harry_Fish
Paul, Thank you

So I really only need to worry about C)2 when I go to a reactor.

As I'm mostly softies and some LPS and I dose Kalk in my top off
I should be ok.

If kalk is keeping your levels up you are in great shape

jtma508 · 08/16/2008, 03:02 PM

I just got my AP electronic regulator on Friday. All I can say is that it beat the snot out of my Milwaukee. What a nice peice of equipment. Works like a charm.

Harry_Fish · 08/16/2008, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lutefisk
If kalk is keeping your levels up you are in great shape

Thank you

stugray · 08/16/2008, 11:30 PM

Who has the guts to crack theirs open & see how it works?

The simplest way is ( as stated above ) with two solenoids.

However, the descriptions says that it has no solenoid.

So that leaves maybe a peristaltic pump and a very small motor?

Someone crack theirs open & post a pic.

Stu

Lutefisk · 08/17/2008, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by stugray
Someone crack theirs open & post a pic.

I'm looking forward to getting a peek!

I don't have the description in front of me but perhaps that description of no solenoid valve refers to not needing a solenoid valve in addition to the "box."

If you're chicken to open the box up perhaps you can put your ear to it and tell us what you hear.

Click, click?

Whirl, whirl, whirl?

RGibson · 08/17/2008, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lutefisk
BTW - here is the link to the "electronic regulator."

http://www.aquariumplants.com/Aquari...or_p/co2-2.htm

From the looks of it it is a standard regulator plus the box with the adjustable bubble rate. I'm going to guess that the box contains something like two solenoid valves with a small chamber in between and the timer.

Here is a guess as to how it works.

Let's say that valve #1 is closest to the gas inlet and #2 is on the output to the rector.

Start: Both #1 and #2 are closed
#1 opens and then closes pressurizing the chamber between the two valves
#2 opens exhausting the chamber into the reactor and then closes

Cycle repeats based upon the timer set by the potentiometer.

It should work very nicely. I'm looking forward to hearing more first hand reports. Also to the possibility that they will sell just the box for those of us who already have the regulator.

Paul

Paul you have a good idea about just buying the box,most needle valves do not work very.

JonSadowsky · 08/17/2008, 12:46 PM

I just got mine hooked up and running and my only complaint is the noise it makes. Every pulse has a slight buzz. It's the noisiest thing in my room. My system was really quiet, until now.

Jon

hyperfocal · 08/17/2008, 01:03 PM

I've been looking around a bit for their patent filing, but haven't had any luck. I'm curious about the guts of this thing too.

Todd March · 08/17/2008, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JonSadowsky
I just got mine hooked up and running and my only complaint is the noise it makes. Every pulse has a slight buzz. It's the noisiest thing in my room. My system was really quiet, until now.

Jon

Wow--see, this is what is so great about RC and the online reefer community; who would have ever thought about a CO2 regulator and too much noise...?!

I hope as others hook these up that they will post about their opinions on the noise level; I have a moderatly loud system, and can tolerate my Vortechs very well--not nearly as silent as some systems are, where the Vortechs quickly get sold in favor of Streams...

Like lighting, noise is VERY subjective...

We shall see...

JonSadowsky · 08/17/2008, 05:08 PM

If Fay is not to much of a problem tomorrow I'll try to get it open and post a shot.

Jon

Eric the half-bee · 08/18/2008, 09:26 PM

I hooked mine up this eve. So far, its working well. I wonder what the nipple opposite the cylinder does? Pressure relief?

ReefnAv · 08/19/2008, 12:04 AM

Boy I tell ya that the fact that it does not come with any instructions for an "electrical" unit really bothers me. I have heard a lot of great things about the standad unit so I would rather wait to see how this thing turns out...especially if there is no real problems with the original....

JonSadowsky · 08/19/2008, 05:34 AM

The "nipple" is the pressure relief valve. The unit is really very simple and although an instruction sheet should be included the staff at Aquarium Plants, particularly Mark who is the designer of this unit are really very helpful.

I set my regulator for 10psi because that was the level recommended by my reactor instructions. I then set the dial for one bubble every two seconds. That was it... Works really well so far.

Jon

RGibson · 08/20/2008, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JonSadowsky
I just got mine hooked up and running and my only complaint is the noise it makes. Every pulse has a slight buzz. It's the noisiest thing in my room. My system was really quiet, until now.

J
on

Jon thay are putting noise reducing material in the box to stop the noise.All the regulators going out will have it ,if you have one with noise thay will replace it.In about 30 days i will have electronic regulator but it will come with a digital counter no more counting co2 bubbles and a big + you can tell when you are going to run out of co2 in you tank.

RGibson · 08/20/2008, 12:43 PM

Lutefish the noise is not from a solenid valve but from a orifice.

JonSadowsky · 08/20/2008, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RGibson
Jon they are putting noise reducing material in the box to stop the noise.All the regulators going out will have it ,if you have one with noise they will replace it.In about 30 days I will have electronic regulator but it will come with a digital counter no more counting co2 bubbles and a big + you can tell when you are going to run out of co2 in you tank.

Yes, Mark was telling me they were looking at that and when they are ready I'll swap mine out. So far mine is working great. I got the Pinpoint Controller to go with it and so far so good. Is the digital counter going to be an upgrade to the electronic unit?

Jon

RGibson · 08/20/2008, 06:50 PM

Jon it is going to be add on and the cost will be about $100.00 more I think it is worth the money because you for the first time can tell how much co2 you have in your co2 tank and no more counting co2 bubbles. On top of all this you will be able to get a larger calcium reactor for a small reef tank and keep the tank under control so if you get a larger tank or the corals get larger you will not have to buy a new calcium reactor.

08/16/2008, 01:01 PM	#30
Lutefisk Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Oviedo, FL Posts: 1,686	BTW - here is the link to the "electronic regulator." http://www.aquariumplants.com/Aquari...or_p/co2-2.htm From the looks of it it is a standard regulator plus the box with the adjustable bubble rate. I'm going to guess that the box contains something like two solenoid valves with a small chamber in between and the timer. Here is a guess as to how it works. Let's say that valve #1 is closest to the gas inlet and #2 is on the output to the rector. Start: Both #1 and #2 are closed #1 opens and then closes pressurizing the chamber between the two valves #2 opens exhausting the chamber into the reactor and then closes Cycle repeats based upon the timer set by the potentiometer. It should work very nicely. I'm looking forward to hearing more first hand reports. Also to the possibility that they will sell just the box for those of us who already have the regulator. Paul __________________ lu·te·fisk (lôô'tə-fĭsk') n. A traditional Scandinavian dish prepared by soaking air-dried cod in a lye solution for several weeks, a process that gives the dish its gelatinous consistency. Current Tank Info: 155 bow front plus misc other tanks.

08/16/2008, 11:30 PM	#37
stugray Premium Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Longmont, Co Posts: 4,566	Who has the guts to crack theirs open & see how it works? The simplest way is ( as stated above ) with two solenoids. However, the descriptions says that it has no solenoid. So that leaves maybe a peristaltic pump and a very small motor? Someone crack theirs open & post a pic. Stu __________________ Some people think that I have Attention Deficit Disorder. They just dont understand that........ Hey! Look a chicken! Well, We KNOW GOD exists, but for US to exist without a GOD is preposterous….Umm wait a minute…. Sounds a bit circular to me… Current Tank Info: 125 Gal. display w/80 gal mud/caulerpa sump. Basement sump w/ LED Grow Light,Gravity fed Reeflo200 skimmer w/ ORCA Recirc, DIY calc reactor & kalk stirrer. Inline plumbed 75 Gal frag/settling tank.

08/17/2008, 01:03 PM	#41
hyperfocal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Edge of oblivion Posts: 1,708	I've been looking around a bit for their patent filing, but haven't had any luck. I'm curious about the guts of this thing too. __________________ "Froth at the top, dregs at bottom, but the middle excellent." -- Voltaire Current Tank Info: getting back into the hobby

08/18/2008, 09:26 PM	#44
Eric the half-bee Passer of gasses Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Space Coast, FL Posts: 837	I hooked mine up this eve. So far, its working well. I wonder what the nipple opposite the cylinder does? Pressure relief? __________________ MOLON LABE - King Leonidas I A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take everything you have. – Barry Goldwater Current Tank Info: Semi agressive reef-400 gal.-8 tangs,2 rabbit fish,zebra moray,blue ribbon eel,Janss' pipe,pair bangaiis,wrasse,tomato clown,maroon clown

08/19/2008, 12:04 AM	#45
ReefnAv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Folsom CA Posts: 1,318	Boy I tell ya that the fact that it does not come with any instructions for an "electrical" unit really bothers me. I have heard a lot of great things about the standad unit so I would rather wait to see how this thing turns out...especially if there is no real problems with the original.... __________________ - Jeff Current Tank Info: Oceanic Tech 70 and Eco Systems MiniR 14g

08/15/2008, 05:01 PM	#26
shoprat001 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 117	So far this is what I did. I set the Electronic regulator to open every 2 secs. then I adjusted the pressure from the tanks so I got one bubble when the regulator opened. Not sure if I explained it clearly but I now have to keep tabs on my PH in the reactor and my CA and ALK levels in the tank. Norm

08/16/2008, 10:32 AM	#27
shoprat001 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 117	Well I've found that setting operating pressure to 6.5 psi gives me one bubble per beat. The PH in my reactor is at 6.94. Is that good? Norm

08/16/2008, 01:01 PM	#31
Harry_Fish Moved On Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Liverpool, NY Posts: 1,461	ok to show my ignorance How do you use C02?

08/16/2008, 01:52 PM	#33
Harry_Fish Moved On Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Liverpool, NY Posts: 1,461	Paul, Thank you So I really only need to worry about C)2 when I go to a reactor. As I'm mostly softies and some LPS and I dose Kalk in my top off I should be ok.

08/16/2008, 03:02 PM	#35
jtma508 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MA Posts: 1,232	I just got my AP electronic regulator on Friday. All I can say is that it beat the snot out of my Milwaukee. What a nice peice of equipment. Works like a charm.

08/17/2008, 12:46 PM	#40
JonSadowsky Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Stuart, FL. Posts: 80	I just got mine hooked up and running and my only complaint is the noise it makes. Every pulse has a slight buzz. It's the noisiest thing in my room. My system was really quiet, until now. Jon

08/17/2008, 05:08 PM	#43
JonSadowsky Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Stuart, FL. Posts: 80	If Fay is not to much of a problem tomorrow I'll try to get it open and post a shot. Jon

08/19/2008, 05:34 AM	#46
JonSadowsky Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Stuart, FL. Posts: 80	The "nipple" is the pressure relief valve. The unit is really very simple and although an instruction sheet should be included the staff at Aquarium Plants, particularly Mark who is the designer of this unit are really very helpful. I set my regulator for 10psi because that was the level recommended by my reactor instructions. I then set the dial for one bubble every two seconds. That was it... Works really well so far. Jon

08/20/2008, 12:43 PM	#48
RGibson RGibson Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 2,377	Lutefish the noise is not from a solenid valve but from a orifice. __________________ RGibson

08/20/2008, 06:50 PM	#50
RGibson RGibson Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 2,377	Jon it is going to be add on and the cost will be about $100.00 more I think it is worth the money because you for the first time can tell how much co2 you have in your co2 tank and no more counting co2 bubbles. On top of all this you will be able to get a larger calcium reactor for a small reef tank and keep the tank under control so if you get a larger tank or the corals get larger you will not have to buy a new calcium reactor. __________________ RGibson