Co2 regulator

[aabjones888]

What's another good co2 regulator for a calcium reactor other than the aquariumplants one? I'd like to know people's experiences, and has anyone ever added a bubble counter to there system?

 

[aabjones888]

Anyone?

 

[aabjones888]

Anyone not using a Carbondoser regulator and wanna share there experiences?

 

[jduck]

No carbon doser, but I am using a Cole palmer pump

 

[aabjones888]

What regulator u using? U like that pump?

 

[jduck]

Reef fanatic regular, nothing fancy. Pump keeps stream steady. No worries of a valve clogging. Takes some playing with to get the pump ml vs pH right for your tank.

 

[reefjunkie53]

I purchased the Milwaukee and straight out the box the right gauge didn't work and I've heard that's happened to a lot of ppl

 

[Bpb]

If i am running pressurized co2 on ANYTHING, the Aquariumplants Carbon Doser is the lowest quality out of the box unit I would ever trust, simply due to the fact that it has a nice solenoid. I've been burned by end of tank dump before using cheap single stage regulators before and will never go that route again.

Currently on my planted tank I use a custom built Concoa 312 dual stage regulator with Burkert Solenoid and stainless steel Parker needle valve.

Not running a calcium reactor, but if I were, I would demand that same quality of lab grade equipment for such a vital and possibly catastrophic additive to the system. There are good threads on planted tank forums and other reef forums about building your own stainless steel dual stage regulator piece by piece and it's not terribly expensive. Only a few bucks more than a cheap out of the box single stage regulator.

This is the exact regulator I'm using.

 

[Bpb]

Furthermore I don't think people appreciate how serious a regulator failure can be. It's far more dangerous than a return pump, powerhead, or lighting failure. Even if a pump goes out for a day, at worse...small salinity increase...maybe. Low flow for a few hours before its noticed. An artificially cloudy day over your tank.

Have a cheap regulator dump 10% of your co2 into the reactor at once...you've got a serious problem on your hands that impacts you quickly. Your tank won't be fine while you're at work all day like it would with most other equipment by failures

 

[ZoaCollector]

Just make sure you have a solenoid and a monitor to turn off Co2 when ph of affluent gets too low

 

[reefjunkie53]

here is my setup I hope I never have a solenoid failure that would be a catastrophe

 

[aabjones888]

Looks good, thanks for all the responses and pics. Anyone got good info on how and what to use on a DIY regulator? Anyone make these ss regulators on the side?

 

[Bpb]

Aabjones888 I sent you a PM with a link about building one

 

[NeptuneGarden]

dual stage Victor 253A regulator
Burkert solenoid
Swagelock needle valve

Last a life time. Everything else is junk after a year or two

Research the fresh water planted tank forums.
Usually many high quality used ones for sale. Those guys live to inject Co2, so they do it right and know what works


Everything you want to know and then some on Co2 regulators for aquariums
http://www.barrreport.com/forum/barr-report/co2-enrichment/6653-dual-stage-regulators