DIY CO2 with C02 Cartridges??? - Page 2

swylie · 01-21-2008, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiscuitSlayer

Aquabotanic still sells it and it is a regulator for a paintball rig:

http://www.aquabotanicstore.com/CO2_...or_p/10174.htm

I have been considering this one for a nano setup, but I wanted to see about trying to rig it with a solenoid and decent needle valve.

The aquabotanic unit is not a regulator. I repeat, it is not a regulator, it's just a valve. If you were to connect a needle valve to it you would have 900 PSI between the bottle and the valve. This is dangerous. People on APC have tried the aquabotanic unit with a needle valve and have exploded airline tubing.

Seriously, cough up the cash for a proper regulator. Compressed gas is dangerous.

danakin · 01-21-2008, 06:16 AM

What about doing something with a cartridge like http://www.divers-supply.com/Product...05&click=10168

I assume the principle is the same, but how long would something like that actually last (very short to be sure)

swylie · 01-21-2008, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danakin

What about doing something with a cartridge like http://www.divers-supply.com/Product...05&click=10168

I assume the principle is the same, but how long would something like that actually last (very short to be sure)

Not very long. A 16 gram cartridge would last about 35 times less long as a 20 ounce tank and 140 times less long than a 5 pound tank.

Using a smaller cartridge doesn't make things any easier, you know, it just makes things smaller. Compressed CO2 has the same pressure no matter how much of it you're dealing with, so you'll need a regulator regardless.

tazcrash69 · 01-21-2008, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swylie

The aquabotanic unit is not a regulator. I repeat, it is not a regulator, it's just a valve. If you were to connect a needle valve to it you would have 900 PSI between the bottle and the valve. This is dangerous. People on APC have tried the aquabotanic unit with a needle valve and have exploded airline tubing.

Not to correct, but to put into perspective
Actually from some of the pics, they blew out CO2 tubing rated for 300 psi.

swylie · 01-21-2008, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tazcrash69

Not to correct, but to put into perspective
Actually from some of the pics, they blew out CO2 tubing rated for 300 psi.

Craziness... I wouldn't touch that thing with a ten foot pole. 20 foot might be enough, but then how would I see my fish?

crazy loaches · 01-21-2008, 05:05 PM

The sad part is you can buy a real dual guage regulator for cheaper. For example $36.95 at http://www.beveragefactory.com/draft...-premium.shtml but I opted to spend the extra $10 on the 'premium grade' one. Youll just need to replace the 3/8" barb ouptut to 1/4' or just buy a foot of 3/8" and an inline adapter. I just put a 3/8" hose barb on the input side of the solenoid and ran 3/8" from reg to solenoid, then 1/4" out from the solenoid.

To be honest my vote for best bang for buck is JBJ all in one which I got new for $80. If you didnt mind just bubbling the co2 into a canister or powerhead, etc., then all you'd need is a co2 cylinder and a $1 worth of co2 line.

squirrelproductions · 02-09-2008, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiscuitSlayer

Aquabotanic still sells it and it is a regulator for a paintball rig:

http://www.aquabotanicstore.com/CO2_...or_p/10174.htm

I have been considering this one for a nano setup, but I wanted to see about trying to rig it with a solenoid and decent needle valve.

Here are some "not so glowing" reviews of the valve (not really a regulator) which BiscuitSlayer linked; look in the later posts for issues/resolutions people had with the valve.

Big Bone · 02-10-2008, 08:17 AM

I'm working through a similar problem. If you looking for cheap regs though Rex Suggested to me a Beverage Reg that they use for home brew beer. I've looked at prices and they aren't much more then $30-40 bucks. But like it was said earlier you've also got to take into account a solenoid which will coast you around 30-50 if you know where to shop.

BB

**BiscuitSlayer** · 02-10-2008, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squirrelproductions

Here are some "not so glowing" reviews of the valve (not really a regulator) which BiscuitSlayer linked; look in the later posts for issues/resolutions people had with the valve.

Thanks SquirrelP. I read that entire thread. Whats funny is I wanted to rig up the "flow regulator" the same as the fixed regulator that he was offering as a replacement.

kasslloyd · 02-10-2008, 03:19 PM

Might want to make sure that those small 16g cans don't contain oil... I heard that some do?

swylie · 02-10-2008, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiscuitSlayer

Thanks SquirrelP. I read that entire thread. Whats funny is I wanted to rig up the "flow regulator" the same as the fixed regulator that he was offering as a replacement.

What's stunning to me is that by the end of that thread the seller still doesn't seem to understand the hazards associated with the unit he was selling or why he should be concerned in the first place.

**Orlando** · 02-10-2008, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skipm

This regulator may be of interest for those wanting to DIY a pressure system..

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch..._Code=co2units

This thing is dangerous. It does not regulate flow, it is simply an on/off valve.
I believe there has been a number of members who were subject to said valve. And it has been proven to be no good.

**Blacksunshine** · 02-11-2008, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greeneer

thanks andrew...this was exactly what i am looking for..but the price is very high....i was hoping for a DIY or something around $50.

you wont find it. reguardless of what tank you use you will need a regulator. standard cheap regulators that are decent will run you 50-75 alone. At 75 you get a JBJ with a solenoid. Then you will have to spend another 20-30 bucks on connectors to atapt the paintball connection to be used with the regulator. After that you will need tubing and a diffusor or a reactor. At that point you'll be around 100 bucks. Basically the same as if you had just gotten a regular co2 system. Only diff is the cost of the CO2 tank itself.
theres not really a "Cheap" way to set up your CO2 system. unless you are willing to cut corners. This is something I would not reccoment doing with a pressurized system. You or someone else may wind up getting hurt.
tomorrow I will be putting the final touches on my own "DIY" paintball regulator setup. I will try and post some pics for you.

fshfanatic · 02-11-2008, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewH

http://www.anythingxtreme.com/Pure-E...9209C1390.aspx

20oz bottle - $19.99

I just bought a 24oz bottle at Walmart for $24.99

01-21-2008, 06:16 AM	#17 (permalink)
danakin Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Houghton, MI Posts: 111	What about doing something with a cartridge like http://www.divers-supply.com/Product...05&click=10168 I assume the principle is the same, but how long would something like that actually last (very short to be sure) __________________ -Daniel Lackey My Yooper Adventures - - My First "Real" Planted Tank

01-21-2008, 05:05 PM	#21 (permalink)
crazy loaches Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5) Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Gahanna, OH Posts: 1,316	The sad part is you can buy a real dual guage regulator for cheaper. For example $36.95 at http://www.beveragefactory.com/draft...-premium.shtml but I opted to spend the extra $10 on the 'premium grade' one. Youll just need to replace the 3/8" barb ouptut to 1/4' or just buy a foot of 3/8" and an inline adapter. I just put a 3/8" hose barb on the input side of the solenoid and ran 3/8" from reg to solenoid, then 1/4" out from the solenoid. To be honest my vote for best bang for buck is JBJ all in one which I got new for $80. If you didnt mind just bubbling the co2 into a canister or powerhead, etc., then all you'd need is a co2 cylinder and a $1 worth of co2 line. __________________ My 240G tank build journal http://tristan.homelinux.net/ ~Tristan

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02-10-2008, 08:17 AM	#23 (permalink)
Big Bone Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Salt Lake, Utah Posts: 43	I'm working through a similar problem. If you looking for cheap regs though Rex Suggested to me a Beverage Reg that they use for home brew beer. I've looked at prices and they aren't much more then $30-40 bucks. But like it was said earlier you've also got to take into account a solenoid which will coast you around 30-50 if you know where to shop. BB

02-10-2008, 03:19 PM	#25 (permalink)
kasslloyd Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1) Join Date: May 2007 Location: Elkins, WV Posts: 99	Might want to make sure that those small 16g cans don't contain oil... I heard that some do?