I'm taking the plunge straight into pressurized CO2 for one (possibly 2) tanks, and would like to know what I need for a decent system. I'm not looking for budget-busting top-of-the-line stuff nor economy junk that'll need replacing in a couple of years.
Also, I've seen names thrown around here for places to buy components, and would like some recommendations.
Blaise
Pressurized CO2--what do I need and recommendations
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B Considine
- Posts: 549
- Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2007 2:13 pm
- Location: HoCo
What I did:
co2-canisters.com (they have a couple of websites that all link to the same place.. beveragefactory or some such being the same)
Get a regulator, JBJ or Milwaukee
Get a 5 or 10 pound tank - yes, it is cheaper to buy here, and bring and swap locally, than to buy locally... as nuts as it sounds, it was.
Get two brass check valves, or get with someone (I'd probably be interested!) in doing a bulk order of stuff from Clippard to build some.
From Ebay: Get some diffusors. Couple of options, I find I like the "tub" style a lot better - the ones that look like fat little pots. The mini/nano diffusors make noise when bubbles go through them for me.
From next GWAPA meeting: Get CO2 line, ask Kris to bring it.
From LFS: Get some clear silicone line.
To branch it:
Get manifold/splitter from CO2-canisters, or other sources. I did mine with a mini manifold and needle valves set up to be inline and next to the tanks, because my tanks are far apart. Others do the manifolds with attached bubble counters, and run it from the regulator, because the tanks are right close to each other...
Remember you need bubble counters when you do this - either buy/build little inline ones, or gets the ones that attach to those sold to hook right up to those manifolds. (I sooooo want to get the little $10 Spiral bubble counters from Aquatic Magic for this for mine.... so cool looking!)
co2-canisters.com (they have a couple of websites that all link to the same place.. beveragefactory or some such being the same)
Get a regulator, JBJ or Milwaukee
Get a 5 or 10 pound tank - yes, it is cheaper to buy here, and bring and swap locally, than to buy locally... as nuts as it sounds, it was.
Get two brass check valves, or get with someone (I'd probably be interested!) in doing a bulk order of stuff from Clippard to build some.
From Ebay: Get some diffusors. Couple of options, I find I like the "tub" style a lot better - the ones that look like fat little pots. The mini/nano diffusors make noise when bubbles go through them for me.
From next GWAPA meeting: Get CO2 line, ask Kris to bring it.
From LFS: Get some clear silicone line.
To branch it:
Get manifold/splitter from CO2-canisters, or other sources. I did mine with a mini manifold and needle valves set up to be inline and next to the tanks, because my tanks are far apart. Others do the manifolds with attached bubble counters, and run it from the regulator, because the tanks are right close to each other...
Remember you need bubble counters when you do this - either buy/build little inline ones, or gets the ones that attach to those sold to hook right up to those manifolds. (I sooooo want to get the little $10 Spiral bubble counters from Aquatic Magic for this for mine.... so cool looking!)
Dave
Stay away from the Milwaukee regulator. It's really tough to dial in.
You're really best off building your own regulator. The regulators they sell at www.beveragefactory.com and other similar home-brew stores are made a lot better.
Here's what I recommend. It'll cost about $200.00 or just shy of that, but you won't be fiddling with settings or replacing parts for years.
Get a 10lb. filled tank from Laurel Bottle Gas in Laurel. Last I checked it was about $80.00
Get this regulator from micromatic.com. They sell the same one at beveragefactory.com with a different sticker on it.
Check to see which one is cheaper.
One 1/4" NPT to 1/8" NPT brass reduction fitting from the hardware store. ~$5.00 It will look like this
One 1/8" NPT hose barb. (I can sell you one for $2.00 as I bought extra)
About 10' of CO2 tubing ($5.00 from the club)
An inline bubble counter. I'm a big fan of these $8.00
A needle valve. I recommend the Fabco needle vavle that Rex Grigg sells. http://www.bestaquariumregulator.com/CO2.html#needle $22
One other item that Rex sells is a Perma Seal washer. It's a good idea to grab a couple of those too.
A solenoid is optional. You can just run the CO2 24/7 and keep the bubble counter lower.
So all of that gear with shipping should come out to just around $200.00 and will last a very long time.
You're really best off building your own regulator. The regulators they sell at www.beveragefactory.com and other similar home-brew stores are made a lot better.
Here's what I recommend. It'll cost about $200.00 or just shy of that, but you won't be fiddling with settings or replacing parts for years.
Get a 10lb. filled tank from Laurel Bottle Gas in Laurel. Last I checked it was about $80.00
Get this regulator from micromatic.com. They sell the same one at beveragefactory.com with a different sticker on it.
Check to see which one is cheaper.One 1/4" NPT to 1/8" NPT brass reduction fitting from the hardware store. ~$5.00 It will look like this
One 1/8" NPT hose barb. (I can sell you one for $2.00 as I bought extra)
About 10' of CO2 tubing ($5.00 from the club)
An inline bubble counter. I'm a big fan of these $8.00
A needle valve. I recommend the Fabco needle vavle that Rex Grigg sells. http://www.bestaquariumregulator.com/CO2.html#needle $22
One other item that Rex sells is a Perma Seal washer. It's a good idea to grab a couple of those too.
A solenoid is optional. You can just run the CO2 24/7 and keep the bubble counter lower.
So all of that gear with shipping should come out to just around $200.00 and will last a very long time.
I must be really lucky, I've seen that said a few times now on Milwaukees, and find them easy to dial in - own two.
That said, I've only ever tinkered with one other, which froze up on me.
I didn't get pricing anywhere near $80 on tanks when I checked
- it was $100+ for 5 pounders when I was looking. I'd like to get another tank, need to call them!
That said, I've only ever tinkered with one other, which froze up on me.
I didn't get pricing anywhere near $80 on tanks when I checked
- it was $100+ for 5 pounders when I was looking. I'd like to get another tank, need to call them!Dave
