Post by parker002 on Sept 14, 2011 8:48:04 GMT -5
The wife found some Jungle CO2 systems on clearance for $5 each a while back.
It works very well in my 55G tank but finding room for the gas holding chamber in the 14G tank is difficult. Since I only use 1/4 of a fizz tab per day in the 14G, I don't need that large of a holding chamber anyway. So I decided to make my own.
Supplies needed:
And here's how to make it:
Now you should have a miniature version of the diffusing chamber!
It works very well in my 55G tank but finding room for the gas holding chamber in the 14G tank is difficult. Since I only use 1/4 of a fizz tab per day in the 14G, I don't need that large of a holding chamber anyway. So I decided to make my own.
Supplies needed:
- A package of small plastic storage boxes (It NEEDS to be a package, not just one. More on this later.) I bought mine at a craft store. (left pic)
- A couple of suction cup hangers. (center pic)
- Two clear inline adapters for aquarium air tubing, like the kind that come with diffusers. (right pic)
- A power drill, aquarium-grade silicone, and super glue.
And here's how to make it:
- Remove the metal hooks from the suction cups. CAREFULLY cut the rubber tabs off of the cups so that the back of the suction cup is perfectly flat. It is necessary to remove the tabs because if you don't, filling the box with CO2 will cause the front edge of the box to tilt upward.
- Super glue the suction cups to the back side of the box (deciding which side is the "back" is up to you, depending on how it needs to be oriented in the tank to allow for the hose connections).
- CAREFULLY drill a 1/4" diameter hole in the top of one plastic container.
- CAREFULLY drill a 1/4" diameter hole in one side of one plastic container (deciding which side is up to you, depending on how it needs to be oriented in the tank to allow for the hose connections). The reason I emphasized buying a PACKAGE of containers is because drilling them causes them to SHATTER. They're not heavy duty, thick plastic. I would suggest drilling them from the INSIDE, pressed against some sturdy, soft wood and go SLOWLY. If they crack, start with a new one. I had a 4-pack and finally got it right on the FOURTH one.
- Cut off one end of one of the airline adapters, leaving a couple of millimeters beyond the rim, and insert it into the TOP hole in the box. If you cut enough off, the adapter should fit perfectly into the hole with little to none of it extending out into the inside area of the box. This is necessary - if you don't remove the end in this manner, the pressure relief hose will only partially drain excess air out of the unit.
- Once the adapter is cut to fit, use a small amount of superglue to secure it into the top hole of the box.
- Use a small amount of superglue to secure the 2nd air line adapter into the side hole in the box.
- Once the superglue is fully-cured, use a small amount of silicone sealant around each adapter connection to prevent leaks.
Now you should have a miniature version of the diffusing chamber!