Dennerle Carbo Soda M200, Operating Instructions Manual

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4 Assembly and connection
4.1 Connect the pressure reducer to the reusable CO 2 Soda bottle
• Place the CO 2 bottle in the stand.
• Turn the control knob all the way to "-" (CO2 supply closed).
• Check to make sure that the seal in the connection piece of the pressure reducer and the sealing surface of the bottle
valve are clean.
• Hold the pressure reducer straight and screw it on slowly until you feel a slight resistance: The pin in the connection
piece of the pressure reducer is now on the bottle valve. Next, quickly turn the pressure reducer further until it is hand-
tight It may hiss a bit. [3]
• The pressure reducer can be unscrewed at any time – the bottle valve closes automatically. It may also hiss a bit during
the first turn when unscrewing, so it is best to start unscrewing the pressure reducer with a quick motion.
4.2 Installing the check valve
• The check valve should be installed in the hose as close to the aquarium as possible. Make a straight cut in the hose
at the appropriate length.
• Push the hoses all the way onto the hose connections and secure with union nuts.
CAUTION: The arrow on the check valve must point in the flow direction of the CO2, i.e. from the CO2 source to the
diffuser! [4]
• Connect hose to pressure reducer and secure with union nut. [5]
4.3 Connecting the CO 2 diffuser
• Mount the diffuser vertically in the aquarium for a few hours before use so that the diffuser fills with a little water
(bubble counter function).
• The diffuser can also be connected directly. It will fill with water during operation (in this case there is no bubble
counter function at first).
• Moisten the hose connection and attach the CO 2 supply hose.
• Fasten the diffuser with the suction cup as low as possible in the aquarium. [6]
Your CO 2 fertilization system is now ready for operation.
5 Setting the CO 2 quantity (bubble count)
5.1 The right amount of CO 2
For lush plant growth, Dennerle recommends a CO2 content in the aquarium between 20 and 25 mg/l .
CO 2 contents above 30 mg/l are not necessary for healthy plant growth and should be avoided in order to prevent unneces -
sary stress for fish and other aquarium inhabitants.
The CO 2 content can be determined easily with a Dennerle CO 2 long-term test or by measuring the carbonate hardness
and pH value (see 6).
5.2 Setting the bubble count
One measure for the amount of CO 2 supplied is the bubble count. The required bubble count depends on various factors,
such as the type of plants, the water flow and the illumination intensity. This is why it is necessary to calculate the amount
of CO 2 for each aquarium individually.
Rule of thumb for basic setup: Start with approx. 15 bubbles per minute per 100 l of aquarium water. For example, for a 200
l aquarium, start with approx. 2 x 15 = 30 bubbles per minute.
Adjust the CO 2 supply in small steps over several days until the desired CO 2 content has been reached. Please note: The
more the water surface is moving, the more CO2 is driven out of the aquarium.
• Close the needle valve (turn clockwise). CAUTION: Precision thread, only tighten slightly.
• Turn the control knob on the pressure reducer in "+" direction until the working pressure manometer shows approx.
1,5 bar. [7]
• Open the needle valve until the first bubbles escape from the diffuser.
• Set the desired number of bubbles by turning the needle valve.
• TIP: A fine adjustment can also be made by slightly increasing or reducing the working pressure in the range of 1 - 2 bar.
• Please note: To check the bubble count, the diffuser must have some water in it. The bubble count reacts
to changes on the pressure reducer with a time delay (the hose acts as a pressure buffer). Therefore, ad -
just the bubble setting in small steps and always wait a few minutes until the new setting has stabilised.