02/08/2012 09:02:12
This kit comes with instruction and a picture diagram which is easy to follow. However, here's the basic process:
Take the dial out of the box and attach it to your regulator in the correct location (see the diagram which comes in the box).
Take the CO2 bottle and attach it to your regulator - do this by
twisting the bottle on, being careful not not cross thread the bottle.
Screw it on firm but not too tight. The regulator contains a knob and
allows you to control the CO2 coming out of the bottle. Also on the reg is a solenoid.
The solenoid turns the CO2 on
and off by opening and closing a valve stopping the flow. The major benefit of the
solenoid is it stops wastage. The solenoid plugs into a timer which
you would have on your light set up so when the lights come on, the
solenoid switches on and when the lights go off, so does the solenoid.
This way you only use gas when it's needed (i.e. when your lights are on
and the plants are photosynthesizing).
Adjacent to the solenoid is a needle valve - this allows you finer
control over your CO2 gas. It's for subtle changes that the larger knob
cannot control. For example if you want to adjust your bubble rate from
50 bubbles a minute to 60, you would use the needle valve to control
this.
CO2 tubing is connected to the needle valve and then you insert a non
return valve- this would stop any water back flowing and damaging your
system.
Connected to your non return valve via more CO2 tubing will be your
bubble counter - fill this with water. The bubble counter makes it very
easy for you to see exactly what the flow rate of your CO2 system is.
The more you open up the needle valve, the higher the bubble rate and
the more CO2 is released into your aquarium.
The last piece of equipment after the bubble counter is the diffuser.
This allows the release of CO2 into the aquarium via small bubbles. The
diffuser should be placed near your filter outlet so the bubbles are
pushed around the tank. The longer they stay in contact with the water
the better. If they shoot straight up to the top of your aquarium, you
won't be getting any diffusion. If you are trying to grow foreground
plants make sure the CO2 is pushed over the top of your plants. If it's
not your plants will struggle because if the CO2 is not getting there
you can bet your nutrients aren't either!
Once all this is done, you can open the knob of the regulator. A
full turn should allow gas to be released. Your needle valve is probably
closed so open that slowly - 90 degrees at a time. Watch your bubble
counter as gas will soon start to be released. When the gas comes out
you may find the pressure decreased a little which is normal. Over the
next 2 hours, monitor the pressure every 10 minutes and eventually it
will become stable and you won't need to adjust it again.
