Pressurized Co2 system

[Admin]

I have had a few people inquire about making a pressurized Co2 system for their planted aquarium so I am going to make a DIY thread of how I made mine. If you need any clarification or where to get parts just ask! The pop bottle or smaller setups are okay for low or medium light planted tanks, but if you are looking into going high tech/ high light a pressurized Co2 system is absolutely essential. You can buy premade setups, but they will either cost you a lot for a good quality one or you will be getting a subpar system for cheaper. In a high tech tank a pressurized Co2 system is NOT where you want to skimp on and building it yourself is best way to get a top of line system.

Parts you will need:

-A Regulator: this is the main component which will feed Co2 from your Co2 tank and controls how much pressure comes out. I recommend a dual stage regulator if possible as it will keep a much more consistent Co2 flow and will not "dump" Co2 into your aquarium when your cylinder gets low. The regulator must have a CGA320 fitting or you must buy one separately-this is the standard fitting for Co2 cylinders and what will allow you to connect your regulator to your cylinder.



-Perma Seal: this goes between the CGA320 fitting on your regulator and your Co2 cylinder and makes sure there is a tight seal.



-Various NPT fittings: these are brass pipes made for gas lines, this is essentailly up to you how you want to design it. 1/8" is the prefered size. I will list what I used for my build

-Co2 Solenoid: this allows you to connect your Co2 system to a timer and is highly recommended- usually has 1/8" fittings



-Needle Valve: this allows you to fine tune how much Co2 you are adding into you aquarium. I recommend the company Ideal- a good needle valve will allow you to set it and forget it in terms of how much Co2 you are allowing to enter your aquarium



-Bubble Counter: A simple addition that lets you visually see how much Co2 is coming out of your needle valve so you have something to base your amounts on. Measures in "Bubbles per Second", Can be connected directly to the system as mine is or inline with Co2 tubing.



-Check Valve: stops water from entering you Co2 regulator

-Co2 tubing: Normal Aquarium airline or even silicone tubing will allow some Co2 to escape.

-Co2 tank: Get one as big as you can fit or afford.

-Non Hardening Pipe Compound or Telfon Tape: this will be used at every connection to make the whole system air tight. Make sure its Non- Hardening! In case you ever need to take the system apart. 

-A way to diffuse Co2 into your aquarium: can be a reactor, airstone, glass diffuser or an atomizer (I use an inline atomizer)


The build: Once you have everything it is quite simple, just add pipe compound or teflon tape to every connection.

My parts list, in order of how the gas flows consisted of: 10LB Co2 tank,> Perma Seal, >Dual Stage Co2 Regulator by Fisher Scienctific with a CGA320 connection,> 1/4 to 1/8 reducer, >1/8 female to 1/8 male 90 degree elbow, >1/8 female Solenoid, >1/8 male to 1/8 male connection,> Ideal Needle Valve (with 2 1/8 female connections),> 1/8 male check valve,> 1/8 female bubble counter,> Co2 tubing,> Inline atomizer 

All laid out:



Regulator and 1/4 to 1/8 reducer and CGA320 fitting on the right



Added the elbow and Solenoid



Male 1/8 to Male 1/8 after Solenoid




Ideal 90 Degree Needle Valve



Check Valve and Bubble Counter



Finished!








This system has been bullet proof for me for over 2 years, I set it and don't have to touch again until its time to fill the Co2 tank.

[guppyguy]

Great Build and very detailed. Awesome DIY project.

[Admin]

Thank you, took a lot of research so I thought I'd save others some of that pain staking process

[baconnlegs]

Roughly how much did it cost to build, and how much did you save vs buying a premade comparable product?

[Admin]

My system costed me about $300-400, not including the 10LB Co2 cylinder. In terms of versus buying a premade one, I could not find one that I liked. There were many in the 300-500 price range but they all came with far inferior components than the one I built. For example, I found a $500 on a site in the states but it used an inferior needle valve and solenoid. If I was to buy a premade one in line with this one it would have costed much more. You can build a decent one (depending on any deals you can find) for 200-300.

My regulator (which I got a steal on) was $80-100 (orginally retailed for over 200! but got it from a hospital surplus on ebay)
The solenoid was $50
The various NPT fittings including the check valve was was around 80-120
The needle valve about $70 (there are still good ones out there for less)
The bubble counter was $10
Then there were various other expenses: pipe compund ($5), Co2 tubing, a timer, etc...

These are rough numbers as its been over 2 years, but depending on what you want there are quality parts out there whether your on a budget or you want the best of the best.

Just be warry of some of the cheap complete systems you can find out there for $80-150, if your just looking to start into it those might work for a time, but if you are serious about it or in it for long enough a quality Co2 system is a must.

[baconnlegs]

*whew!* I'll stick with my pop bottles for now lol. Down the road, it's something I'd like to try building, though!

[Admin]

If those are working for you now I'd say stay with them too for the moment.