Co2 Bubble Counter Needed/Not Needed?

brentling

brentling

AC Members
Aug 1, 2008
177
0
0
Lexington, Kentucky
I picked up a complete pressurized CO2 system today! a fellow member of the Southwestern Ohio Aquatic Plant Enthusiasts (SWOAPE) heard of my 125 project (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=169746) and gave me a sweet deal. I now have in my possession a JBJ CO2 regulator w/ solenoid and needle valve, a Milwaukee pH controller, a Tom Barr style DIY reactor (really nice with clear chamber), and a new looking 10 lb CO2 tank that he filled up on the way to meet me. He also included some goodies like calibration solution, a seal, and some extra tubing.

My questions concern bubble counters. My new friend said he just uses the reactor as a bubble counter. I am planning on getting a glass drop checker before all of this gets installed, and I have the pH controller. Do I need a bubble counter? If so, should I get the JBJ brass one that usually comes with a lot of regulators? (http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~JB2117.html) Or should I get an in-line bubble counter? I have seen anything from cheap plastic or even DIY soda bottle types all the way to very expensive hand blown glass ones. I really like the Cal Aqua one located here: http://www.greenleafaquariums.com/co2-bubble-counters/cal-double-counter.html.

I have not used a pressurized CO2 system before and I understand the purpose of it, I think, but with the drop checker and pH controller, is this something that will be useful? I don't mind to buy one, but the whole goal of this tank is DIY and outside of the (big) box (store) creativity.

Also, I have read several articles about what liquid to use in a bubble counter. Vegetable glycerin according to Tom Barr. Others use R/O water, mineral oil, baby oil, tap water, etc. What is the opinion on AC?
 
I just use tank water in my bubble counter...

I would think the bubble counter is a necessity, unless you can see the co2 as it enters the reactor.. But still if you installed one, a little redundancy would be a good thing... If you cant easily see the reactor, i would install the bubble counter..
 
I use RO water.
 
RO water is Reverse Osmosis water. Filtered though an RO filter. I use this water for my SW tank.

IMO--Ordinary FW in counter leaves a "crust" inside counter.
 
it's reverse osmosis water, basically highly pressurized water, which has had all it' solute components removed, mostly for desalination. basically purified water
 
You dont need a bubble counter, if you can visually see the bubbles in the reactor. The drop checker is just added insurance against a faulty probe/controller/solenoid, to help you catch it in time, to save your fish/inverts.

As for the fluid in the bubble counter, use what you want, but certain liquids have benefits, RO/DI water is nice clean water and wont leave build-up but does evaporate slowly, oils on the other hand, dont evaporate at any rate close to water and also slow the bubbles down, so they are easier to see visually.

Here is a link that greenleafaquariums.com put out to help first timers setting up CO2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdOFCatSPKo
 
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