Need a new Needle valve

[afuzzy420]

I'm currently looking to replace my red sea needle valve with a better needle valve.The red sea is just to hard to adjust and will change bubble rate with just a little movement of the tubing.I've read allot about the fabco nv-55 and would like that one but i've found it confusing on how and what to order.I am currently using a profab flowmeter regulator that is preset to 30psi with the redsea needle valve,a diy bubble counter and a diy co2 reactor.The system run 24/7 on a 75 gal tank.
My question would be is there somone that sells the fabco needle valve ready to go or is there a good needle valve at or around the same price that is easy to order.If someone could help me on what to order from fabco that would also be great.
I also wouldn't mine getting a good bubble counter tho the one i currently use is sufficient.

[Darkblade48]

The NV-55 needs has #10/32 ports and will require converters to inline hose barbs. You can then run this needle valve inline, while just keeping the Red Sea needle valve completely open so that it does not restrict gas flow.

Alternatively, you can get the NV-55-18 that has 1/8" NPT ports, remove the Red Sea needle valve, and then mount the NV-55-18 instead.

[afuzzy420]

The red sea is an inline needle valve aswell.As far as the barbs go do i order that from fabco? If i wanted to mount it to my regulater how would i check the thread size on the regulater and where would i get the parts to install the valve? I don't mind inline if that would be easier.
Seems like someone could make a little money by having these things ready and easy to install for beginners such as myself.
Thanks,
James

[Darkblade48]

Originally Posted by afuzzy420

The red sea is an inline needle valve aswell.As far as the barbs go do i order that from fabco? If i wanted to mount it to my regulater how would i check the thread size on the regulater and where would i get the parts to install the valve? I don't mind inline if that would be easier.
Seems like someone could make a little money by having these things ready and easy to install for beginners such as myself.
Thanks,
James

Yes, you can order hose barbs from Fabco. If you want to mount it to your regulator, I would advise using the NV-55-18, as it was designed for this purpose, and not the NV-55 (which was designed for inline).

For the thread size on your regulator, the best way is to check the regulator specification sheet. However, most regulators have a 1/4" NPT output, which is usually converted to 1/8" NPT for our purposes, since equipment in that size is usually easier to find. You can find brass fittings at your local hardware store and also online.

There are several users on these forums (myself, Bettatail, oldpunk78) that dabble in CO2 equipment; while not necessarily having the Fabco, we usually have other equipment that has been picked up from eBay and other sources.