CO2 use in an aquarium should always be controlled to avoid excess CO2 lowering the pH of your water and causing stress to your fishes. The Red Sea solenoid control valve connects either to a time switch or a pH controller, automatically shutting off when it detects pH shifts or when a preset amount of time has gone by. It consumes a low 2 watts of energy and produces very little heat.
Instructions:
The control valve can either be installed in-line on the CO2 tubing between the pressure regulator and the needle valve or directly at the outlet of the pressure regulator instead of the hose barb.
In-line:
Decide the best location for positioning the control valve between the pressure regulator and needle valve.
If the pressure regulator is already in use, rotate the pressure adjuster knob anticlockwise to the fully closed (zero pressure) position.
Cut the CO2 tubing at the desired position. The CO2 that was trapped inside the regulator will be expelled in a few seconds, expect a hissing noise with the escaping gas. The working pressure gauge will read zero pressure.
Identify the inlet and outlet side of the control valve by the arrow on the body, which shows the direction of the flow, connect the control valve to the CO2 tubing and secure both sides with the lock nuts.
Plug the control valve into the outlet of the time switch or pH controller and make sure that the device is switching the control valve on.
Adjust the working pressure on the pressure regulator to approximately 15 PSI and continue using the system as before.
Direct connection to the pressure regulator:
Prepare the control valve by unscrewing the inlet hose barb and exposing the 0.125" thread. Wrap some Teflon tape (not provided) around the 0.125" thread.
If the pressure regulator is already in use disconnect the pressure regulator from the CO2 cylinder.
Using a gripping tool remove the outlet hose barb from the regulator body by unscrewing anticlockwise exposing the outlet port.
Remove any remains of Teflon tape from the outlet port.
Screw the control valve into the outlet port of the regulator until firmly in position.
Plug the control valve into the outlet of the time switch or pH controller and make sure that the device is switching the control valve on.
Connect the regulator to the CO2 cylinder and use as before.
How to use with Pressure Regulator with integral Needle Valve:
The control valve can either be installed in-line on the CO2 tubing after the needle valve or directly at the outlet of the needle valve if it has a 0.125" outlet port.
In-line:
Decide the best location for positioning the control valve after the needle valve.
If the pressure regulator is already in use, close the needle valve to shut off the flow of CO2.
If the outlet from the needle valve does not have a lock nut secure the CO2 tubing to the outlet hose barb with a cable tie (not included).
Cut the CO2 tubing at the desired location.
Identify the inlet and outlet side of the control valve by the arrow on the body, which shows the direction of the flow, connect the control valve to the CO2 tubing and secure both sides with the lock nuts.
Plug the control valve into the outlet of the time switch or pH controller and make sure that the device is switching the control valve on.
Adjust the working pressure on the pressure regulator to approximately 15 PSI and continue using the system as before.
Direct connection to the pressure regulator:
Prepare the control valve by unscrewing the inlet hose barb and exposing the 0.125" thread.
Wrap some Teflon tape (not included) around the 0.125" thread.
If the pressure regulator is already in use disconnect the pressure regulator from the CO2 cylinder.
Remove the outlet hose barb from the needle valve. Remove any remains of Teflon tape from the outlet port.
Screw the control valve into the outlet port of the needle valve.
Plug the control valve into the outlet of the time switch or pH controller and make sure that the device is switching the control valve on.
Connect the regulator to the CO2 cylinder and use as before.
Specifications:
Includes tubing and a standard 1/8-inch compression fittings
2 watts
One year warranty against defects in material and workmanship
