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1) CO2 cylinder - decide how big of a cylinder you want, bigger is better. it costs almost as much to refill a 5lb as a 30lb cylinder. paintball cylinders need a special adapter and i dont like them for anything but smaller tanks. age doesnt matter since you will be trading them in (at no extra cost).
2) cylinder regulator - you need one that regulates around 0-60 PSIG with an input of around 3000 PSIG (to be safe). it can be brass and single stage. i prefer stainless steel dual stage types. should have hi and low gauges. will need a CGA320 adapter for a cylinder.
3) needle valve - 1/4" metering types are fine, i prefer stainless steel with pipe thread connections. good quality is important
4) optional solenoid operated valve - 120VAC two way valve with 1/8 or 1/4 ports. use with timer if u want CO2 off at night or if using a pH controller
5) optional pH controller - well described by complexity above
6) optional bubble counter - i prefer straight inline types or beetle types, its nice to see real time counts. fill with mineral oil instead of water for large tanks. some have built in check valves
7) check valve - airline type for co2 tubing to prevent water from getting into regulator, should be close to counter or diffuser. metal type preferred over plastic.
8) co2 safe tubing, regular airline tubing will allow co2 to permeate through it
9) co2 diffuser - either inline or ceramic disc. may also use powerhead or needle wheel pump.
10) optional drop checker - visual reference for co2 concentration. warning, does not react quickly like a thermometer so allow 1hr between adjustments.
11) optional buffers - i like to buffer water since co2 will cause pH to shift if sufficient minerals are not present in water. may not be necessary if you use a pH controller - i havent tried this yet.
12) scissors - to cut all your new growth back before it gets out of hand!
2) cylinder regulator - you need one that regulates around 0-60 PSIG with an input of around 3000 PSIG (to be safe). it can be brass and single stage. i prefer stainless steel dual stage types. should have hi and low gauges. will need a CGA320 adapter for a cylinder.
3) needle valve - 1/4" metering types are fine, i prefer stainless steel with pipe thread connections. good quality is important
4) optional solenoid operated valve - 120VAC two way valve with 1/8 or 1/4 ports. use with timer if u want CO2 off at night or if using a pH controller
5) optional pH controller - well described by complexity above
6) optional bubble counter - i prefer straight inline types or beetle types, its nice to see real time counts. fill with mineral oil instead of water for large tanks. some have built in check valves
7) check valve - airline type for co2 tubing to prevent water from getting into regulator, should be close to counter or diffuser. metal type preferred over plastic.
8) co2 safe tubing, regular airline tubing will allow co2 to permeate through it
9) co2 diffuser - either inline or ceramic disc. may also use powerhead or needle wheel pump.
10) optional drop checker - visual reference for co2 concentration. warning, does not react quickly like a thermometer so allow 1hr between adjustments.
11) optional buffers - i like to buffer water since co2 will cause pH to shift if sufficient minerals are not present in water. may not be necessary if you use a pH controller - i havent tried this yet.
12) scissors - to cut all your new growth back before it gets out of hand!
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