TheClark Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 TLDR; Topped her off If bored, rest of the story below pic: Two big CR changes tonight: 1- Moved the Co2 tank about 50' away and 1 story below (to the reef room) This allowed change 2 - Switched to a 50lb Co2 tank (thanks @CrabbyCrabs) The big tank should need replacing about once a year, instead of every 2 months or less. Also, it is 1/3rd the price per lb to fill. Suprise Change 3 - Refill media However, during the switch over, noticed the reactor was only about 25% full. Yikes! Cleaned it out and filled her up. Was shocked how much media it took, guessing about 3 gallons. Back up and running, monitoring for leaks. Also raised the reactor PH up about .1 since there is allot more media / water ratio now. Thinking alk will kick up, gotta monitor... Nice to spend a night on the tank, been a while... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrabbyCrabs Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 Wow, that's a decent savings per lbs co2. I know the exchange price of 20lbs and 50lbs is almost the same, or used to be when I was going through them weekly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertareef Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 Nice. What did the CO2 resistant tubing cost you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClark Posted January 17, 2019 Author Share Posted January 17, 2019 26 minutes ago, albertareef said: Nice. What did the CO2 resistant tubing cost you? Hmm, I have 100' roll of lldpe, cost about 9 bucks on prime. It's what I have always used. Never this long of a run though. Anything I should worry about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewisriverfisherman Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 Nice upgrade Jeremy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertareef Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 15 hours ago, TheClark said: Hmm, I have 100' roll of lldpe, cost about 9 bucks on prime. It's what I have always used. Never this long of a run though. Anything I should worry about? My understanding was there there is a significant difference in permeability and susceptibility to hardening/cracking with non-CO2 "resistant" compounds. Looks like greenleaf markets some specifically for this type of application but runs about $1 per foot. Some of the medical purveyors also have versions but are even more expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrabbyCrabs Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 I ran co2 for over a year in hydroponics, before switching to a natural gas burner, under 6 600watt hps lights and never noticed any issues with the cheap clear tubing I got from home Depot. Medical tubing would work great but I'm sure not cheap. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClark Posted January 18, 2019 Author Share Posted January 18, 2019 Also added this to check levels, 30 bucks. Magnetic mount, so I can remove for maintenance. Cloud service included, for remote monitoring. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClark Posted January 18, 2019 Author Share Posted January 18, 2019 18 hours ago, albertareef said: My understanding was there there is a significant difference in permeability and susceptibility to hardening/cracking with non-CO2 "resistant" compounds. Looks like greenleaf markets some specifically for this type of application but runs about $1 per foot. Some of the medical purveyors also have versions but are even more expensive. Thanks! I have some homework to do. The LLDPE has always worked well, but that was short distances. Plus, who knows how much I was losing due to permeability? Long term the reactor will be right next to the tank, so if I can tough this out... Will be back to the old config. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertareef Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 1 minute ago, TheClark said: Thanks! I have some homework to do. The LLDPE has always worked well, but that was short distances. Plus, who knows how much I was losing due to permeability? Long term the reactor will be right next to the tank, so if I can tough this out... Will be back to the old config. Seems like lots of folk use the standard tubing... I know that I have had issues with loss of pliability and hardening that can affect connections (had the line pop off at one point) so am a bit sensitive to the issue. I was just hoping you had found a cheap source for the C02 resistant stuff 😄 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClark Posted January 18, 2019 Author Share Posted January 18, 2019 Just now, albertareef said: Seems like lots of folk use the standard tubing... I know that I have had issues with loss of pliability and hardening that can affect connections (had the line pop off at one point) so am a bit sensitive to the issue. I was just hoping you had found a cheap source for the C02 resistant stuff 😄 Good one on line popping off, that's a real issue at times! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertareef Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 13 minutes ago, TheClark said: Also added this to check levels, 30 bucks. Magnetic mount, so I can remove for maintenance. Cloud service included, for remote monitoring. Yeesh - you and Suncrestreef are making me feel more inadequate all the time... I clearly need to retire so I have the time to up my controls game. (if only) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrabbyCrabs Posted January 19, 2019 Share Posted January 19, 2019 I used a C.A.P digital controller. Different for your needs. I controlled co2 solenoid based on co2 measured, which I ran at 1500ppm. It's no problem being in that ppm as a human, until 3000ppm you are fine. I never had issues with tubing getting brittle, and that was directly under hps lights which is way more uv breaking things down than a little bit of co2. If you want co2 or gas impermeable use anything Teflon lined. That's what's used in modern A/C hoses so it should be fine and then some for co2. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xmas_one Posted January 19, 2019 Share Posted January 19, 2019 For what it’s worth, I’ve ran standard aquarium airline (clear vinyl) for co2 on planted tanks since the early 90s, zero issues. I run straight co2 on my welding rig, same tubing, no worries. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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