vol.003 [CO₂ System]

Q)　 Approximately where in-between the substrate and the water surface should I install a Pollen Glass Beetle? Where should I count CO₂ bubbles at in a CO₂ Beetle Counter?

A) 　Pollen Glass Series diffusers are designed to diffuse a sufficient amount of CO₂ and appear well balanced with the rest of the aquarium when installed half way down an appropriately sized aquarium. Since a Pollen Glass Series diffuser not only has good diffusing ability but is also designed to be visually appealing, placing it in a position that appears well balanced is key to making your aquarium look beautiful. Technically, the lower the diffuser is placed in an aquarium, the more efficient CO₂ diffusion will be. However, it can deliver a sufficient amount of dissolved CO₂ for growing aquatic plants when placed at the mid position. To increase the diffusion efficiency for a large aquarium, the position of a Pollen Glass Series diffuser can be adjusted to be near the outlet of a filter so that the water current is directed toward the diffusion surface.
 　Regarding the location to count CO₂ bubbles on the CO₂ Beetle Counter, it is easiest to count CO₂ bubbles at the CO₂ inlet at the bottom of the counter, although it is quite possible to do so along the spiral section or at the upper part of the counter since the spiral section extends the length of the path that CO₂ bubbles travel.

Q)　 I would like to replace the white diffusion disc of my Pollen Glass Beetle since the way that CO₂ is discharged from the disc has become irregular. Can ADA provide support or a maintenance service for replacing the white diffusion disc?

A) 　Since the white diffusion disc of a Pollen Glass Series diffuser is made of glass and fused with the glass body of the diffuser, the disc cannot be replaced. When CO₂ discharge becomes irregular, cleaning it with the glass cleanser Superge removes algae that may be stuck to the fine mesh of the diffusion surface and enables the diffuser to discharge the fine bubbles again. Do not rub the disc surface with a tool such as a brush when the discharge becomes irregular since doing so can chip or damage the glass mesh surface. Instead, the diffuser should be soaked in Superge solution. With regular cleaning, the performance of Nature Aquarium Goods can be restored to the level of the performance of brand new products. Being able to use the same tool for a long time is an important principle behind the tools and products in Nature Aquarium Goods.

Q)　 I heard that a check valve and silicone tubing should be replaced periodically. How often should I replace them?

A) 　Since CO₂ dissolves in water easily, the water in an aquarium or a bubble counter flows back into a CO₂ cylinder through the tubing. A check valve stops backflow of the water into the cylinder. It is an essential part of the CO₂ injection system since water in a solenoid valve or CO₂ regulator can cause the equipment to break down. A plastic check valve that comes with a CO₂ Glass Counter or a CO₂ Beetle Counter is equipped with an internal silicone valve. Since silicone is resilient, the silicone valve can function repeatedly by opening and closing with the pressure of CO₂. However, an old valve may malfunction and allow the water to back flow since it hardens and degrades over time. Its plastic housing can crack and leak CO₂ after repeatedly contracting and expanding with temperature differences in the surrounding area and internal pressure. Therefore, a check valve should be replaced every year as a guideline to be on the safe side. Silicone tubing also hardens when used in water for a long time. It becomes difficult to connect the tubing to glass equipment and it may come loose while injecting CO₂ into an aquarium. The use of dye-based fish medication also accelerates its aging. In the case of silicone tubing, it should be replaced when it hardens and loses its elasticity. Since it is included in the Gray Parts Set, we recommend replacing it regularly.

If you replace the check valve with a check valve Cabochon Ruby, you don’t have to replace check valves periodically. Since this changes the connection method, please make the connection by referring to the diagram below for the proper orientation.