Long distance split co2 lines

[Anonymous]

I have a calcium reactor in my basement, and would like to run an additional line upstairs to a different application about 12 feet lateral. Any reason why this wouldn't work? I know to use CO2 line instead of airline. My bubble counter is built into my regulator. I guess after that I would have a Y fitting and then two little valves and maybe 2 more bubble counters so each could be regulated. Thoughts?

 

[Anonymous]

There is a slight possibility that the tank water from upstair may get siphon down if the CO2 tank is empty... you really need to be careful about this.

It is difficult to get both reactor to work with two needle valves, so although you can get a dual output from one regulator, I would recommand the use of three-gauges/two-regulators setup if possible. Otherwise, it should be fine most of the time.

 

[Anonymous]

Actually, I wasn't even going to use 2 needle valves, but just airline valves. I probably won't be able to regulate the lines well enough....

How do I do a 2 regulator setup? From 1 tank?

 

[Anonymous]

> I guess after that I would have a Y fitting and then two little valves and maybe 2 more bubble counters

My first impression is that you will have two needle valves... oh well, you are less meticulous than I thought

> How do I do a 2 regulator setup? From 1 tank?
Yes, one tank with a hi pressure gauge, tee off to two regulators, each with its low pressure gauge and needle valve.

 

[Anonymous]

not sure my diy skills are up to that....

 

[Anonymous]

Hey, would this work?

http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/regulators/secondary.shtml

 

[Anonymous]

Oh, here is what I will do- 2 and 3 way needle valves:
http://www.aquabotanic.com/abstore/index.html

 

[gman2]

Check out the hexo-manifold for $59 at this site or marine depot

Here is the link and a picture.

This should do exactly what you want. The only problem would be if you control the solonoid with one setup. It would turn off for the other if controlled.

http://www.marine-monsters.com/front/pr ... lator.html

Good luck
Tony

 

[Anonymous]

>not sure my diy skills are up to that....

Check some brew shop. Some has multi-regulator setup for multiple kegs ready-assembled.

The secondary regulator is what is recommanded.

 

[Anonymous]

Not sure I understand why just 2 needle valves wouldn't work fine. Care to elaborate? Thanks!

 

[Anonymous]

Depends on you pressure setting of your regulator, if it is too low, the adjustment of one needle valve will affect the bubbling rate of the others.

If the CO2 tank is empty or off-line, there is a path from one ca rxtor to another below (bypass the only regulator). I don't know about you, but I run my reactors under slight pressure (~4 ftH2O or 2psi), so if condition is right, one rxtor can dump its water thru the needles valve to another via the tubing.

 

[Anonymous]

And since we have one saltwater and one freshwater tank, that would not be a good thing. Will have to ponder this.....

 

[Anonymous]

If you don't want to spend the extra money for a secondary regulator, you can add a filter-based check "valve" (not really a valve, just a filter pad that takes a few PSI to push thru) commonly used in medical devices between the regulator and the two needles valves.(you need two check valves)

This will ensure that the water upstair won't siphon down by accident, and if one of the reactors leaks, the other reactor may have sufficient pressure to continue to work.

 

[Reef Guy11]

Just one Question, What does solonoid mean. :?

 

[Anonymous]

It's an electric valve, that's either on or off used to stop flow.

 

[Reef Guy11]

Okay thanks just need to know that.

 

[jbash]

Do I understand you are going to run 2 tanks from one Calcium Reactor? Unless they share a sump you won't be putting all the water back into the tank that it came from--assuming your reactor works like mine. I've been thinking of doing something like this but figured I'd have to get 2 reactors to share a CO2 tank, so each reactor's input would be from same tank as the effluent output.

jim b

 

[Anonymous]

The way I understand it is that Dan want to use the same CO2 cylinder to run a ca rxtor and a planted tank with CO2 injection.

 

[jbash]

Thanks Loule. That makes sense. When he said "another application" I just didn't get it, as I coudln't think of any reason to use CO2 in a tank except for a calcium reactor. Duh, I forgot about freshwater and plants--shows where my focus is

jim

 

[Greg Hiller]

I currently run 4 calcium reactors from one 20 lb. CO2 bottle. There is only one regulator, but there are four needle valves, located close to each calcium reactor. Provided you don't set the delivery pressure of the regulator too high, there is no problem running tubing all over your house. I have many lines that are 20-30 feet from the cylinder. You can use standard ridgid tubing from Home Depot (the stuff for ice makers, really cheap, maybe $3 for a 50 ft roll) and run the CO2 to anywhere you want. Calcium reactors do not use the CO2 fast enough for any one reactor to affect the pressure on the line. The pressure on the line will always be exactly what you set it at, I recommend about 10 psi. So, adjusting one reactor will not affect any of the other reactors.

- Greg Hiller