Co2 regulator

[mjk412]

I am thinking about buying an aquatek co2 regulator. Does anyone have any experience with them? Are they a good brand?


Thanks a lot.

[creekbottom]

check this - http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=165068

[kevmo911]

Somebody asks a question more or less identical to this one at least once a month. Do some searching.

It will probably work fine for your needs. However, there is a good chance it will fail miserably in one of several possible ways. But are they a "good" brand? No.

[oldpunk78]

Originally Posted by kevmo911

Somebody asks a question more or less identical to this one at least once a month. Do some searching.

I was just thinking to myself today that I should write another article explaining the ins and outs of what's available out there. This question and hundreds very similar could be directed to it.

[creekbottom]

Originally Posted by oldpunk78

I was just thinking to myself today that I should write another article explaining the ins and outs of what's available out there. This question and hundreds very similar could be directed to it.

YES!!!! that is a great idea!! There are still some things I can't find an answer to.

[oldpunk78]

Originally Posted by creekbottom

There are still some things I can't find an answer to.

Such as?

[creekbottom]

1) What type of regulator is useful for us? (I know this is a huge question, read on) Obviously a CO2 reg will work, what about oxygen, or acetylene, inert gas, nitrogen, argon?

2) Can the connection be changed from one to another? Lots of them come with something other than CGA 320.

3) What about pressure range? Lots will list 0-4000psi and 0-100 psi. So that's high and low sides of the regulator but does the regulator itself decide those pressures or can you just change the gauges to whatever you want?

4) Is brand name important? This might be better answered with a 'what to stay away from.'

Those were the originals I had posted but still looking for answers for most of them. And I know answers to some of those questions can be verrrrryyyyy long.

[Yankee]

Originally Posted by oldpunk78

I was just thinking to myself today that I should write another article explaining the ins and outs of what's available out there. This question and hundreds very similar could be directed to it.

Another +1.

But if you'd like to know the Aquatek regulators are nice for entry level set ups. Get the newest one with adjustable working pressure. If you want to upgrade it a bit - get an NV55 needle valve and add an inline bubble counter. That'll make it stable for a while. Get a big tank and just make sure to refill before it gets low so you don't get end of tank dump and you shouldn't have a problem as long as you don't abuse it (I honestly don't know how people break these things, you plug it in and forget about it).

[oldpunk78]

Originally Posted by creekbottom

1) What type of regulator is useful for us? (I know this is a huge question, read on) Obviously a CO2 reg will work, what about oxygen, or acetylene, inert gas, nitrogen, argon?

2) Can the connection be changed from one to another? Lots of them come with something other than CGA 320.

3) What about pressure range? Lots will list 0-4000psi and 0-100 psi. So that's high and low sides of the regulator but does the regulator itself decide those pressures or can you just change the gauges to whatever you want?

4) Is brand name important? This might be better answered with a 'what to stay away from.'

Those were the originals I had posted but still looking for answers for most of them. And I know answers to some of those questions can be verrrrryyyyy long.

Most of what you're wondering about can be found here:

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=148509

[creekbottom]

ok, I don't know how I missed that one. I've been searching on here for a while.

Thanks!!

[oldpunk78]

Originally Posted by creekbottom

ok, I don't know how I missed that one. I've been searching on here for a while.

Thanks!!

Ya, I don't think a lot of people look in the 'grouped' stickies.

[kevmo911]

I've quoted my own post a number of times, and this is a link to the post in a subscribed thread that I posted my original post in (I can't search back that far)...

Anyway, I think it's all valid, and while I'd probably re-word a few sections, this pretty much conveys my thoughts about the bottom-run regs.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...50&postcount=2

[Darkblade48]

Originally Posted by creekbottom

1) What type of regulator is useful for us? (I know this is a huge question, read on) Obviously a CO2 reg will work, what about oxygen, or acetylene, inert gas, nitrogen, argon?

2) Can the connection be changed from one to another? Lots of them come with something other than CGA 320.

3) What about pressure range? Lots will list 0-4000psi and 0-100 psi. So that's high and low sides of the regulator but does the regulator itself decide those pressures or can you just change the gauges to whatever you want?

4) Is brand name important? This might be better answered with a 'what to stay away from.'

Those were the originals I had posted but still looking for answers for most of them. And I know answers to some of those questions can be verrrrryyyyy long.

Don't forget to check out my Primer to Pressurized CO2 (linked in my signature below) as well for information. A lot of the questions that people ask have been answered in the past, so be sure to check the stickies and the FAQ section of these forums.