Recommend a good CO2 solenoid besides carbon doser

[Dondante]

I have the milwaukee and the needle adjustment is pure garbage. The whole thing is garbage. Not wanting to spend 350 on a carbon doser.

 

[Water Dog]

Are you into DIY?

Building an Alanle style dual stage CO2 regulator

So I wanted to start a build thread on how to put together an Alanle style DIY dual stage regulator. Over the last couple of years, after building a couple of my own regulators, I have been helping a bunch of memebers, both here and on RC, with sourcing parts and putting together their...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Dondante]

If there's a parts list available i wouldn't mind.

Why aren't there options? Everything offered has terrible reviews besides the car on doser.

 

[X-37B]

Look here all top quality.
I got mine here.

Dual Stage 0-50 PSI CO2 Regulator, CGA320, CARx, Planted Aquarium, Swagelok | eBay

This custom build is made with quality components and designed to last decades. Add your own CO2 tank, 1/4” tubing, bubble counter, check valve, CARx or CO2 reactor/diffuser. Reach out if you would rather this system include 1/4” flexible poly tubing for planted aquarium use.

www.ebay.com

 

[Dondante]

Yikes!!That's as much as the carbon doser.

 

[Water Dog]

Most of the hobby grade CO2 regulators use poor quality metering valves, which is the most important part on the regulator. While the CarbonDoser has a very loyal following and is easy to operate, at the end of the day, it is a fancy plastic box that houses an electronic Clippard mouse solenoid paired with a cheap brass single stage regulator... not worth the $350 IMO for what it is.

The DIY ones can get quite expensive as well depending on the materials of the parts you use. As an example, my full stainless steel regulator build cost me over $300 whereas a brass build can probably be done for a little over $200. However, these DIY builds are using lab grade industrial parts of superior quality compared the parts in the CarbonDoser IMO.

You can also take a look at Green Leaf Aquarium’s CO2 regulators. They use quality parts across a range of different price points.

Planted Aquarium CO2 Regulator - Green Leaf Aquariums | GLA

Discover the best rated, legendary performance planted aquarium GLA CO2 regulators and aquarium CO2 kits. Hand built in the USA with lifetime warranty and expert CO2 installation support. Free shipping!

greenleafaquariums.com

 

[X-37B]

Yikes!!That's as much as the carbon doser.

Yea but it will last a lifetime.

 

[AcanthurusRex]

I picked up a Green Leaf Aquariums dual stage.
The Cabon Doser will fail. Every "bubble" requires the activation of a solenoid. For 10 bubbles/min that would be 5 million cycles per year. I am surprised they last the warranty period.

 

[GoVols]

I picked up a Green Leaf Aquariums dual stage.
The Cabon Doser will fail. Every "bubble" requires the activation of a solenoid. For 10 bubbles/min that would be 5 million cycles per year. I am surprised they last the warranty period.

Yep,
Been running the GLA SS Dual Stage Pro for three years and worth every dime.

Too bad GLA stopped making the Stainless Steel Pro, but it cut that regulator's cost in half.

When you fire an email their way, they respond back within 5 -10 mins.

Marco even took the time to show me how to take care (proper tension) and clean the regulator's built-in Co2 check valve.

Just about as good as you can get without going with @Water Dog 's Alanle's handbuilt to the barebones regulator.

Alanle is a true legend within building his dual-stage regulators.

 

[Water Dog]

Here’s my DIY Alanle style full stainless regulator build...

 

[rossco]

I have a Reef Fanatic from Premium Aquatics on each of my tanks With CA reactors and they work fine. One of them is 10 years old. Still works as good as the day I bought it. Control it with my Apex.

Reef Fanatic Deluxe CO2 Regulator with Solenoid | Premium Aquatics

Aquarium & Fish Supplies Superstore. Guaranteed Low Prices. Free Shipping for qualified orders. Aquarium supply for your aquarium fish, saltwater aquariums, freshwater aquariums and ponds. The best aquarium lighting, protein skimmers, aquarium chillers, calcium reactors, aquarium pumps for fish...

premiumaquatics.com

 

[Devaji]

a few years ago I was about to set up a planted FW tank. wanted to go "high tech" so I did a DIY got a really nice new reg off ebay changed it over to CO2 all stainless steel I believe for 1/2 what a new was and 100X better.

GF ended up moving in and that tank idea went out the window. still have it some where.

 

[Dondante]

a few years ago I was about to set up a planted FW tank. wanted to go "high tech" so I did a DIY got a really nice new reg off ebay changed it over to CO2 all stainless steel I believe for 1/2 what a new was and 100X better.

GF ended up moving in and that tank idea went out the window. still have it some where.

Willing to part with it?

 

[Devaji]

Willing to part with it?

IDK still want to set up a FW planted. give me a cpl days to think it over. as once i part with it i'll need it you know how that goes...lol

 

[mtraylor]

Co2 art has dual stage for around 150. Very good for the price. I have 2 of them
Work great

 

[Dondante]

Co2 art has dual stage for around 150. Very good for the price. I have 2 of them
Work great

How's the needle adjustment. This one os impossible to adjust. It's too much or not enough.

 

[mtraylor]

Its pretty smooth and its set it and forget it. Really nice for the price