This DIY CO2 System Lasted Almost 5 MONTHS! My Final Review Of The Colombo CO2 Reactor

Would you buy the Colombo CO2 reactor?

Similar but cheaper

FOR USA: https://amzn.to/3qMYFPc
FOR EU: https://amzn.to/3xrocQA

Or prefer the Pro System from Plantedbox?
https://planted-box.com/product/complete-aquarium-co2-set/?amb=27&campaign=CO2set
Unboxing video:
https://youtu.be/mh6oG10kCns

Refill instructions by William Aaron Hicks!

Just did my first refill/recharge. A few things:

1 - getting the regulator off was... challenging. I’m no slouch and it took several attempts and various grips and angles to finally make it happen. When I finally did get the regulator off, there was some crystallized residue in the threads and on the o-ring from a bit of an overflow experienced during the first charge. avoid the overflow if at all possible (see more below), and this shouldn’t be a problem.

2 - there will prob be crystals when you empty the solution that’s contained inside the cylinder, which I believe to be unreacted sodium bicarbonate precipitated out of solution - harmless, but be sure to get them out.

3 - rinse the cylinder out with very hot water, then fill to top up to the threads with more hot water. Let sit for a few moments until cylinder is too hot to handle, then empty. leave upright to cool and the residual heat in the metal helps to dry the cylinder inside, which helps minimize bicarb or citric acid sticking to threads during refill.

4 - remove the o-ring from the regulator and rinse - but don’t forget to put it back on the regulator after. carefully rinse the threads of the regulator (as needed), being careful not to get water inside the regulator itself - do not immerse the regulator or turn it upside down under running water such that water could possibly get inside the regulator body itself. sit upright on a piece of kitchen paper or a towel to dry, allowing threads sufficient time to dry completely before reinstalling

5 - when you add the recharge chemicals, add citric acid first. it is lighter/less dense and dissolves more quickly in water. adding the bicarb second and on top of the citric acid provides a “barrier” to a premature reaction, as it is more dense and dissolves more slowly in water. gently shake cylinder after each addition of the two components to spread powders into even layers, helping to facilitate this insulating effect.

6 - the ~45° cylinder tilt recommendation while adding water is really effective, especially after the above layering technique. while pouring the water slowly and steadily at this angle, I heard the first bit of the reaction begin from inside the cylinder, but it never bubbled over and I was able to reinstall/rethread the regulator with zero overflow or spill, which hopefully means no stuck threads next time I recharge. instinctually it may seem better to pour the water into the cylinder as quickly as possible, but doing so will invariably stir up the chemical layers leading to a potentially very messy and unexpected premature reactulation - however do not be embarrassed if it happens to you, as it is a common occurrence during one’s first time. (...you’re welcome 😜)

7 - once the regulator is fully reinstalled and the cylinder is properly sealed, gently swirl - do not shake - the cylinder contents/solution to help facilitate proper mixing and a complete reaction.

After above, my cylinder was fully recharged and ready to go within about an hour, but will continue to react over the next several hours. Overall I’m really pleased with how the system has worked thus far. I’ve found several retailers with different versions of the same product for as little as US $80, a bit more for those that include the electric solenoid. As I live in NYC and finding a CO2 provider nearby was neither convenient let alone cost effective, and I find this system to be both. And as it uses food safe ingredients to generate the reaction, there shouldn’t be any risk of introducing potentially unsafe trace elements/chemicals into the tank using CO2 from a potentially unreliable source. 👍

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0:00 - Chapters cuz uncle MJ cares about your time
0:20 - What is this?
1:27 - My experience
4:38 - Clean & Refill
7:06 - Final review

Видео This DIY CO2 System Lasted Almost 5 MONTHS! My Final Review Of The Colombo CO2 Reactor канала MJ Aquascaping