Tired of changing out DIY CO2

Lighting, filtration etc
ingg
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Tired of changing out DIY CO2

Post by ingg »

Yeah, yeah, it'll take two seconds for Sean, Ghazanfar, Arron, Kris, and others to see this, chuckle, and go

TOLDJA SO!!!!!!!

So I'm tired of it. :) Aside from the everpresent maintainance of the bottles, the BBA is hard to control, and I want to go pressurized.

This is the best price I've come up with -

$172.38 shipped

5 pound CO2 canister, new, aluminum.

JBJ co2 Regulator
Dual gauges..one for CO2 pressure and content meter
Solid Copper construction
CO2 Output line..silicone line connection
Needle Valve for precision adjustments
Superior quality German Solenoid
Light Indicator for on-off cycles
NOW INCLUDES BUBBLE COUNTER & CHECK VALVE
AC Power wire

12'CO2 proof line

So. First, anyone know of better pricing than co2-canisters.com?

Second, I have the choice there of JBJ or Milwaukee Regulators, any plus/minus to either or both?

Third, I don't plan to use a PH meter as I'll be slowly tapping this into multiple tanks..... somehow.... (egads, wiring my house for CO2, my wife is going to KILL me)... do I need drop checkers, or can I just watch PH?
Dave
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Jeff120
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Post by Jeff120 »

TOLD YA SO!!!!!!! :mrgreen:

The price seems good, did you check Laurel bottled gas for a bottle?

I have a JBJ regulator and havent had any problems with it, lots of folks have the Milwaukee as well. I have heard reports of the Mil and end of tank dumps, something I have never had with my JBJ(knock, knock) even with it running out while on vacation.

No need for a controller, just test PH and KH to get your CO2 reading. Watch the fish and algae and adjust accordingly
Jeff U.

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Aaron
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Post by Aaron »

*cough* toldya so *cough* Okay, there I said it. 8)

Anyhow, that's a pretty good price. I've had a JBJ in the past. The only thing I didn't like is that the secondary pressure is fixed at 15 or 20 psi I forget which. It did work well though. Another option is to piece together your own regulator...an option you've no doubt seen touted by Mr. Grigg on TPT. He's actually got a point though. You can build a really nice regulator for just a little bit more money. It might be worth it in the end if you plan to run multiple tanks.
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Ben Belton
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Post by Ben Belton »

I have 3 JBJ's with solenoid and no problems. I get frustrated in that it is not too precise. A tiny tiny turn is usually too much. Very hard to do fine adjustments. That said though, I would buy another if I needed it. It's a good deal and once you get it where you want it, you're good to go.

I have a Dupla system from way back when there was no Internet and no people telling you how to DIY things. It has a pH meter/controller and all the bells and whistles. I don't use it anymore.
JMLenke
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Post by JMLenke »

how much you want for that dupla setup?

I need to reset my Co2 and that was one of the things that I needed and that caused me to stop having Co2 going.
The other Jeff

Master of growing algae and getting better at plants
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Ghazanfar Ghori
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Post by Ghazanfar Ghori »

I'd reccomend getting the regulator combo from
http://www.aquatic-store.com/
They have both the JBJ and the Mil.
I'd also buy the CO2 bottle local - you can get a 10lber from Roberts Oxygen
for under $100.00 - and you get the added convineince of a swap out instead
of tryong to hunt for a place down that'll refill it for you. I have a discount
code for Roberts laying around somewhere - PM mefor it.
ingg
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Post by ingg »

That's where I'm shopping Ghazanfar - they also have a 5 pound tank for $60.

Tank, Regulator, 12' tubing, is $22 shipping, whole thing comes to that $172 above. (You can also link to them at co2-canisters.com, who knew?)


Found a used one from a salt tank online last night, $75... going to try and check it out this morning.
Dave
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krisw
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Post by krisw »

You'll get the 5lb tank for $60, plus you'll have to take it to Roberts/elsewhere to get it filled for another $10-$15. You should be able to get a tank directly from them for cheaper than $75 filled. Just FYI
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SCMurphy
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Post by SCMurphy »

If you are running to multiple aquaria you can skip the Mil and JBJ and just go to
http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbee ... mium.shtml
and pick up a 0-60 psi regulator between $35 and $50. They also sell manifolds to let you split the output. AND you can gt the extra thick walled CO2 tubing. If you are running a long distance or a whole lot of aquaria you might want to use copper pipe and tap it.

I don't remember a conversation that would lead me to say "I told you so," so I won't.
"したくさ" Sean

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Ghazanfar Ghori
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Post by Ghazanfar Ghori »

Pressurized CO2 tastes yummy!
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