[gpodio]

While I don't have a controller yet, I still find that counting bubbles is rather useless, actually I don't even have a bubble counter anymore. I think it's good for adjusting your needle valve to get the same bubble rate you had before messing with it, or before getting a refill, but can the number of bubbles tell you anything about the CO2 concentration in the tank? I don't think so. At times for example my reactor gets a little clogged with leaves and the CO2 concentration drops, bubble rate is obviously still the same. Or when water level drops a little too much or the suction cups that hold the filter return come off and I end up with some extra unwanted surface agitation... again only a PH test kit, controller or similar can tell you the actual concentration in the tank.

One of these days I'll buy a PH controller, I gave away my solenoid as I run the reactor off the light timer and didn't need it. I may set one up in the new tank however.

Giancarlo Podio

 

[gpodio]

I don't count bubbles myself, only if I feel something is not right I may turn the filter off and count how many bubbles I see running up the semi-clear intake tube, mostly to verify that the needle valve is still set correctly. But in general if my PH tells me I have the right amount of CO2 in there I don't need to know how many bubbles I have.

I did however just run into a slight problem that could have been avoided with a bubble counter. My CO2 lasted only 6 months this time rather than the usual 10-12 months. I got it filled and counted the bubbles when I hooked it back up, the needle valve had indeed been bumped or something and the rate was higher than usual. But for some reason PH and CO2 levels remained the same regardless of the extra CO2 being pumped into my canister. I did notice some extra burping than usual but thought nothing of it. I would probably add a bubble counter if I had one lying around, I wouldn't spend $20 on one, that's more than 2 CO2 refills for me.

Giancarlo Podio