1 bubble every 15 seconds? That would be a very low demand tank.Get a quality low flow metering valve and you can adjust down to a bubble every 15 seconds if you really wanted to.
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
1 bubble every 15 seconds? That would be a very low demand tank.Get a quality low flow metering valve and you can adjust down to a bubble every 15 seconds if you really wanted to.
1 bubble every 15 seconds? That would be a very low demand tank.
Well that makes sense. The carbon doser is going to fail over time. Honestly, anything can fail, but this is why I run a GHL 2.1 SA doser along side my calcium reactor. The carbon doser is definitely a luxury item and it’s a pity that it won’t last forever. For this reason it makes sense to have an extra regulator on hand that tunes just as well or better than the carbon doser. So building or buying a backup does appeal to me.If you’re diligent enough in sourcing parts, you can build one of these regulators for a good bit less than the $350 price point of the CarbonDoser. While the CarbonDoser makes dialing in CO2 very easy, at the end of the day, it’s is an electronic Clippard Mouse solenoid attached to a cheap $10 brass single stage regulator. Electronics will fail. These DIY regulators use industrial lab grade stainless steel parts (extremely precise metering valves) that will still work precisely and consistently long after you and I are gone... and I’m not even getting into the single vs dual stage end of tank dump discussion.
There is no question, the CarbonDoser is easy to use and has a loyal following. I‘m just presenting a guide based on the Alan Le DIY regulator thread for people like to build things and are interested in a quality alternative.
A carbon doser is just false sense of accuracy,,, you are actually counting pulse but not bubbles.Well that makes sense. The carbon doser is going to fail over time. Honestly, anything can fail, but this is why I run a GHL 2.1 SA doser along side my calcium reactor. The carbon doser is definitely a luxury item and it’s a pity that it won’t last forever. For this reason it makes sense to have an extra regulator on hand that tunes just as well or better than the carbon doser. So building or buying a backup does appeal to me.
Can you post a video of a quality double stage regulator in action. I’d like to start shopping around for something nice. It’s really hard to beat the simplicity of the carbon doser. I can literally see a number, turn the knob, and it’s dang close if not exact. Here’s a video and I’m sure most people have seen it or know what the carbon doser can do which is why a lot of us do run a carbon doser knowing full well that the electronics can fail over time. To me it’s worth the risk, but like I said...I do have a backup and I’m prepared for it. Although it’s always good to have 2 backups. wink wink.
Beautiful! It reminds me I need another to setup my carx on my frag system.I want to add my build in this thread.
I have zero knowledge with regulators prior to building this and Leon patiently helped and answered all my questions.
Struggled with leaks because I suck at applying teflon tape but finally got everything resolved.
Thanks again Leon (@Water Dog), you’re the man!
The valve will cut the CO2 when the power goes out. This is really important because your water intake will stop running with not power. If the CO2 keeps going and there is no fresh water intake and then you turn the reactor back on ... bad things. I think that is called a CO2 dump.If I run the calcium reactor without a ph controller, would I still need a solenoid valve? I’m contemplating a diy build.