CarbonDoser electronic CO2 regulator

[Gary Majchrzak]

it's been an extremely long time since I added any new equipment to my reef aquarium system. I've destroyed two or three conventional regulators on my calcium reactor over the past several years and I've wanted www.aquariumplants.com "CarbonDoser" electronic CO2 regulator since the day they introduced it. The wait is over... I finally got one... and it's GREAT!
Starting with the excellent shipping packaging

I opted for the medical grade backcheck valve and aquariumplants CO2 proof tubing. Why the heck I didn't ever get a backcheck valve years ago is a mystery to me. GET ONE!

here's a staged shot of me doing the bleed down test ensuring the regulator is attached to the CO2 tank properly and no CO2 is seeping out the brass connection

the bottom dial adjusts bubble rate...that top knob controls bubble size...VERY KEWL!

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

two major problems with conventional regulators: solenoid failure and bubble rate variance. Needle valves are terrible for controlling bubble rates on standard regulators. Solenoids are prone to failure. CarbonDoser eliminates both the solenoid and needle valve along with the bubble chamber.

I control CO2 dosing via my ACjr. The pH probe is located in the effluent collection cup. I have only been running the CarbonDoser for a few hours and I can already see what a success this piece of equipment will be once reefkeepers catch on. Conventional regulator solenoids don't draw a lot of juice and oftentimes won't switch on if there's not enough load on a controller's switch box. CarbonDoser eliminates this problem.

And the backcheck valve! If you're running a calcium reactor without a backcheck valve GO GET ONE NOW!

CARBONDOSER IS MADE IN THE USA!

 

[Capt_Cully]

Even a seasoned vet can adjust to modern innovations. Congrats on the new toy. Gary M's on an up-swing baby!

 

[Waterobert]

I have one of those and like it a lot!

 

[Conesus_Kid]

Nice!!

FWIW, mine has worked reliably since May of 2010, without a hiccup. :thumbsup:

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Scott- what settings do you use? I realize it might be moot to compare two different calcium reactors but I was curious about the bubble size and count you've been using...

 

[maxxII]

I've been looking at one of these for awhile...I have two RF CO2 solenoids, (and one reactor) so when both of those go down, I'll be getting one of those...

Nick

 

[Conesus_Kid]

Scott- what settings do you use? I realize it might be moot to compare two different calcium reactors but I was curious about the bubble size and count you've been using...

I'll have to check when I get back to school on Monday, but here's the best thing I love about it: I no longer have to monkey with the fussy valve that controls the effluent rate. The only thing I change (which is infrequently) is the bubble count. For example, if my alkalinity seems to be creeping up, I'll adjust the bubble count accordingly. I haven't touched the effluent valve in quite some time.

If you have a pH probe on your effluent, you're going to see that it becomes rock steady with your new toy! With the high demands of your tank, I think that the Carbon Doser will let you push your Ca reactor to the max (and here comes the most important part) safely.

I'll make a point of checking those settings on Monday and will post them to this thread.

Enjoy!:beer:

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

if my alkalinity seems to be creeping up, I'll adjust the bubble count accordingly

if alkalinity on your WHOLE AQUARIUM seems to be creeping up? :eek2:
Wow. I can only wish this problem on myself. I have a difficult time maintaining dKH let alone having it creep upwards.

FWIW: right now my initial bubble size is set at 3 and bubble count is about 1/sec. Controller opens CO2 as soon as effluent rises above 7.0dKH and shuts it off when it goes below 6.5dKH. I think those set points are lower than what's normally recommended. Coarse reactor media seems to require a lower dKH to melt. Those settings might turn the finer media to mush.

 

[Conesus_Kid]

if alkalinity on your WHOLE AQUARIUM seems to be creeping up? :eek2:
Wow. I can only wish this problem on myself. I have a difficult time maintaining dKH let alone having it creep upwards.

I don't have a heck of a lot of demand in terms of large colonies of stony corals at this point.

I'll bet you'll be able to fine tune your bubble count to keep the effluent pH closer to your 6.5 lower limit without having the AC Jr. turning the regulator on and off. The dependability of this regulator allows you to use the on/off values programmed into the controller as a failsafe, rather than what you use to determine how much Ca/Alk your adding to your system.

 

[davidsb]

hello , any updates ? wondering if you are still using it.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

hello , any updates ? wondering if you are still using it.

if asking me... the answer is yes!
Works like a charm. No more fussy regulator games. Set and forget until CO2 tank runs out. One of the best pieces of equipment I've invested in!

 

[ivans]

Hello everybody!

I hope evryone is hapy with his Carbondoser.

So, recently I've bought my one on the secondhand market but almost (or completely) unused. But I've met a problem. As I'm from Ukraine and I've bought the regulator from the USA I can't connect it to my CO2 tank!

On the tank the thread is DIN 477 (W 21.8 x 1/14") and on the regulator - CGA320 (0.825" - 14 NGO). And there is no adapters!

I've been contacting AquariumPlants to buy a new DIN-sized nipple for the regulator for monthes, but no reply. They are simply ignoring my mails!

Does anybody have an idea where to find an adapter or new nipple for this regulator?

Thank you in advance.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

have you tried finding this adapter at welding stores in Ukraine?

 

[ivans]

Sincerely no, because here everything is metric. Tanks and regulators all have metric thread.