20
UK
m
2000 (2) refillable storage bottle. For the use WITHOUT tools the connecting nut is
designed as a knurled nut! Tighten it only by hand without a tool. Close the adjusting screw
by turning clockwise if it is not already closed.
Never use CO
2
bottles in a horizontal or an upside-down position!! This may damage
the pressure regulator!
5. Connect the CO
2
hose to the hose screw connection of the pressure regulator (4, 5) or
solenoid valve (6).
6.
The
u
501 kit:
Slowly open the adjusting screw on the pressure regulator and set a bubble rate of 10
– 15 bubbles on the bubble counter (approx. 15 – 20 bubbles in the reactor). At first, the
bubbles will flow intermittently through the reactor, collecting at times into large bubbles.
The device needs approx. 48 hours to run in!
After this, a bio-film will have formed on
the surface of the device, allowing the bubbles to rise freely upwards. After the running in
time, set the bubble count for your aquarium, as described in chapter 12.3.
The
m
501 kit:
Open the bottle valve of the refillable storage bottle all the way. The left-hand pressure
gauge now shows the bottle pressure of about 60 bar and the right-hand pressure gauge
shows the operating pressure of about 1.5 bar. Continue as described for kit
u
501.
The
u
502 and
m
502 CO
2
kits:
First connect the power supply unit of the solenoid valve to a mains socket and connect
the 12 V cable of the power supply unit to the cable of the solenoid valve.
For
u
502, continue as described for
u
501, and for
m
502, as described for
m
501.
After the required number of bubbles have been set for your aquarium (chapter 12.3),
connect the solenoid valve to the power supply which is controlled by the time switch for
the aquarium lighting. In this way, the CO
2
supply is interrupted at night when the plants do
not require CO
2
.
The
u
503,
m
503 and
m
2003 CO
2
kits:
Set up the pH computer, carrying out the calibrations required for initial start-up in
accordance with the instructions for use enclosed separately. Make sure that the solenoid
valve of the pressure regulator is connected to the pH computer by the valve cable. Set the
integral solenoid valve to “man open“:
Menu key > select “Valve” > press OK > select “man open“> press OK.
For
u
503, continue as described for
u
501, and for
m
503 /
m
2003, as described for
m
501.
After the reactor has run in, set the control for the solenoid valve to “auto“:
Menu key > select “Valve” > press OK > select “auto“> press OK.
Then set the optimum pH level for your aquarium and the required number of bubbles on the
pH computer as described in the instructions for use enclosed separately. The pH computer
will now automatically regulate the pH level and the CO
2
supply for your aquarium.
12 How much CO
2
is needed?
12.1 pH level, CO
2
and carbonate hardness (KH)
The three parameters, pH value, CO
2
content and carbonate hardness, are inseparably linked,
as they are interdependent.
When CO
2
comes into contact with water, a certain amount of carbon dioxide is produced which
reduces the pH value. The greater proportion remains dissolved in the water in the form of gas
and serves as an important nutrient for plants. Therefore, CO
2
has two benefits: it reduces the
level of pH in the aquarium, which is usually too high, to a level appropriate for fish and plants
