Anyone know how to set up a dastaco.. ??

[Heisenberg 78]

Can anyone help me, I’ve just got a dastaco t1 and it’s alarm goes off every time..

I can’t seem to follow the objective of the instructions... cloud someone simplify them for me?

 

[inktomi]

I had issues as well, and I do have a different DaStaCo2 system, but it's not too hard. When does the alarm go off?

You want to tune the flow of CO2 into the chamber using the valve on your CO2 regulator so that the solenoid is only on for about 2 minutes to start with, and then it should go off and only turn on briefly. Make sure the connections are tight, but not overly tight. You might also need to use Vaseline or a similar compound to ensure everything is air tight.

Can you post a video of it not working, showing the lights and everything?

Other wise, if that doesn't solve things, I'd reach out to DaStaCo2 directly - they'll go as far as to hop on a video call with you to debug the issue.

 

[Heisenberg 78]

I have filled the reactor done all the water tightness tests and ran the peri pump until the water comes out.

then I switched the mains supply on, it starts running and there it goes two different ways:

the ca kh is set to 2 and number 1 on the vent.

the co2 comes in fast causing the water in the gas chamber to drop quick.

then the float drops and the solenoid keeps flicking on and off within a second or so.

i then close the fine tune so the gas slows and after a while it does.
However, then the blue light stays on and then causes the alarm to go off..

Can’t seem to get it where the fine tuning needle slows the flow to create a 1 to 2 minute period.

is it meant to be flicking on and off all the time?

 

[John Huynh]

do you have the new LED display controller? my c2 came with the led controller. if so, I would set the mode to 1 and vent to 1. then turn off the unit. wait until all the gas is released. fully close the needle nose and turn it about 3 full turns. turn on the unit and time the blue light when it comes on and turns off. you need to be about 2 mins. open or close the valve based on when the blue light comes off. each time you cant get it, you would need to turn off the whole unit, wait until all the co2 is release and try again. your alarm is prob SP because too much co2 is entering into the chamber. you are about 0.8 on the co2 regulator? you only need to time the initial blue light that comes on and off once the unit turns on.

 

[inktomi]

I would completely close the CO2 fine control needle, and then open it about 3/4s of a revolution only (just to get it to be very closed down to start from). Then adjust it in small increments up till it takes 2 minutes for the blue light to turn out. It sounds to me like you're getting too much CO2 too fast into the system.

 

[Heisenberg 78]

im using the one with the lights as indicators.. not the screen one ( I think that’s the newer version.)

I’m assuming the gas chamber drops the water levels because the gas is pushing it through? And rises as it mixes it though the media.?

The timer for co2 input is confusing me also, sometimes it will allow the blue led to stay on for circa 5 minutes.

..then there is situations where after 40 seconds or so it does the same difference in alarm tones though.

 

[Heisenberg 78]

I’ll have to give it a try but it seemed like all or nothing earlier when I was trying it..

i would either repeatedly click on and off or a certain time elapsed causing the alarm to go off..

 

[John Huynh]

you only need to time the initial blue light once the unit is on. if you are at 5 mins means you need to open the valve more. its trial and error, so be patient.

 

[inktomi]

Yea, it can be a bit frustrating to get it set initially. But you'll get it!

 

[Heisenberg 78]

I’ve just done the whole procedure again..

setting on the ulegra ..2 ca/kh and 1 vent

-switched it on
-blue light comes on
-open the fine tune valve to release co2
-co2 comes through but then literally pushes the float down..
-10 to 20 seconds later blue light comes on and goes straight off

(the water level goes down quite quick as the blue light actuates.)

-I then turned to decrease a 1/4 of a turn.. same again..
-another 1/4 of a turn blue on for 5 second.
-another turn then nothing for 40 seconds and the alarm goes off..

 

[greg 45]

If I remember there is a video on you tube .
This might help .

 

[inktomi]

I’ve just done the whole procedure again..

setting on the ulegra ..2 ca/kh and 1 vent

-switched it on
-blue light comes on
-open the fine tune valve to release co2
-co2 comes through but then literally pushes the float down..
-10 to 20 seconds later blue light comes on and goes straight off

(the water level goes down quite quick as the blue light actuates.)

-I then turned to decrease a 1/4 of a turn.. same again..
-another 1/4 of a turn blue on for 5 second.
-another turn then nothing for 40 seconds and the alarm goes off..

I think you're actually working backwards. Turn it all back off, and fully close the fine needle valve on the CO2. Open it one turn.

Then turn it back on, and time the blue light. How long is it on? Don't touch the valve while it's going. Just wait, it might take 30 seconds, it might take 10 minutes. Once it turns off, open it a small amount more if it's under 2 minutes, or close it a small amount if it's over. Don't touch the valve while the unit is on though.

 

[Heisenberg 78]

I’ll give that a try, I have just removed the co2 line had a check of the solenoid, and fine needle they appear fine.

I try once I get it all back together..thanks

 

[Heisenberg 78]

Is the solenoid meant to be clicking on and off?

co2 in =2seconds
water level rises 15 seconds
co2 inwards 2 seconds

etc,.. etc..

thats what’s happening..if I try to reduce it then it times out on me after 30 -40 seconds with the blue light on..

 

[inktomi]

It might click on and off some at the start, but it should slow down after several minutes as it stabilizes. It should be "on" (blue light on) for about two minutes solid at the start, when it's first filling the chamber with CO2. After that initial fill, it will click on and off like you describe for a little while while stabilizing.

 

[Heisenberg 78]

Yes that’s what’s happening... it’s literally a quick on/ off with gas then a 15 second gap until it fills again..

I thought it was 2 mins of co2 each time, then off (circulated it.).. for a few mins and then co2 back on,

Ps...
hey, I just realised I’m talking to the famous ..reef man..I watch a lot of your youtube videos...great channel btw.

 

[inktomi]

I don't know about famous but I'm glad you like the content! Science is really cool!

The thing to track is how long it takes for the blue light to go out the first time. Beyond that, it'll sort of click on and off as needed, and you don't need to track those times. Just make sure it takes about two minutes for the blue light to turn off that very first time when you turn the system on.

 

[Heisenberg 78]

Thank you for your help, that seems to have me started..

i just have to figure the dosing rate now..lol