CO2 Cylinder Size?

[jbrady429]

Harry, Tomoko, and anyone else using a calcium reactor, what size CO2 cylinder do you use, how long does it last for you, and what size aquarium do you run it on? I’m looking to set up a new 60 gallon spa reef with a calcium reactor and need some advice on cylinder size.

Thanks!

 

[gcrawford]

I run a Geo 612 on my 120gallon reef and use a 10# and have two 5# bottles. One 5# bottle I trade out at Sexton Welding Supply on Governor's Drive for convenience and the other two I own and get filled in Decatur at J&M Cylinder Gasses when they run out. There are quite a few variables as to how long they will last you, but my 5# lasts up to 6 months and the 10# up to a year. I use the slow drip method and my solenoid cuts on at a ph of 6.8 and off at 6.5. Hopefully that helps. If you're in the market for a regulator / solenoid I have one from a previous setup for $80 like this one: https://premiumaquatics.com/product...-ADm6ZmZr_TNfW0b87YBZhMLGWA3y8mxoCC90QAvD_BwE

 

[gcrawford]

Probably TMI, but here’s my cal setup with the 10# currently in use so you can see the size....

 

[beaslbob]

gee always wondered what a "spa" reef was? LOL

 

[jbrady429]

Probably TMI, but here’s my cal setup with the 10# currently in use so you can see the size....

Nice! Thanks for the information. Is the cylinder in the middle a Kalkwasser reactor?

 

[dieselkeeper]

After 5 years all bottles needs to be pressure tested. Where ever you get it filled at, be sure they can just swap it out with one already tested. If not they have to send it out. The welding supply around don't carry 10 lb aluminium bottles. It took them 4 months to get my 10 lb back from testing.

 

[jbrady429]

After 5 years all bottles needs to be pressure tested. Where ever you get it filled at, be sure they can just swap it out with one already tested. If not they have to send it out. The welding supply around don't carry 10 lb aluminium bottles. It took them 4 months to get my 10 lb back from testing.

Good grief! What bottle sizes do local welding supply shops have, who do you recommend, and what do they charge to fill a bottle?

 

[H@rry]

I use 20# bottles. They're pretty expensive to buy new (about $100). There's no use buying a nice new shiny tank since you'll be swapping it out for a used one when it runs out. The last one I bought I found on Craigslist for about $30 (I think - can't remember exactly). They last about 3 - 4 months on my 50 gallon frag tank and 3 - 6 months on my 3 tank 480 gallon system. When they run out I swap them out at NexAir on Leeman Ferry Rd. I think it's about $20 - $25 for the exchange.

 

[jbrady429]

I use 20# bottles. They're pretty expensive to buy new (about $100). There's no use buying a nice new shiny tank since you'll be swapping it out for a used one when it runs out. The last one I bought I found on Craigslist for about $30 (I think - can't remember exactly). They last about 3 - 4 months on my 50 gallon frag tank and 3 - 6 months on my 3 tank 480 gallon system. When they run out I swap them out at NexAir on Leeman Ferry Rd. I think it's about $20 - $25 for the exchange.

Thanks for the information! Swapping out cylinders sounds like a good arrangement—I don’t have to worry about periodic cylinder tests, etc.

 

[dieselkeeper]

You have to buy a tank or rent them. Around here it is 0.31 cents a day. Mine are beer making websites. I use aluminium bottles due to the rust factor being around saltwater.

 

[H@rry]

I bought my first ones and from then on I just swap the empty one for a full one. You won't keep a tank long enough for it to rust (at least over the past few years I never noticed any rust on any of mine).

 

[gcrawford]

Nice! Thanks for the information. Is the cylinder in the middle a Kalkwasser reactor?

Yse, the middle one is a kalk reactor. I use Mrs. Wages Pickling lime (~$2 a bag) and run my ATO through it. Also, you can get cylinders tested at J&M if you own them. They tested my 10# while I waited and gave it the stamp approval.

 

[jbrady429]

gee always wondered what a "spa" reef was? LOL

Thank you, auto spell correct! Lol

 

[Tomoko Schum]

I have 5, 10, and 20 lbs cylinders. A welding supply house that services my work swaps out my cylinders with full, certified cylinders. I suppose they give me a special rate because of my work place. The prices does not vary much despite the different sizes since the charge is really for the labor than the gas.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Yse, the middle one is a kalk reactor. I use Mrs. Wages Pickling lime (~$2 a bag) and run my ATO through it. Also, you can get cylinders tested at J&M if you own them. They tested my 10# while I waited and gave it the stamp approval.

What ATO system do you use? Does the kalk clog up your ATO pump over time?

 

[gcrawford]

What ATO system do you use? Does the kalk clog up your ATO pump over time?

I use a Tunze Osmolator 3155. The pump sits in my RO container which is ~ 28 gallons and pumps to the kalk reactor and the output of the reactor directly to the display. The pump never touches the kalk, and has lasted about 6 years so far. I used to have to watch the output of the tube going to the display as it sometimes clogged with kalk. I increased the size of it about a year ago and it's been fine ever since.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Thank you for the info.

I used to spiked my ATO water with food grade lime in the past using a AquaLifter pump without a problem. In my new house, the tank set up is the same and nothing changed, but the AquaLifter keeps clogging up. I installed a new one but that also clogged up rather fast. I am not sure why this is happening. I'd like to raise the pH a bit. I suppose I should get a pH pen for my reactor to control the amount of CO2 with Apex.

 

[gcrawford]

I absolutely recommend it. My apex controls the ph in the reactor and I drip the amount of effluent the reef needs with little co2 waste.