Here's a link to my miniaturised Victor dual stage setup. It's adapted to paintball tanks because of space limitations. You can see pictures of my aquarium and my previous kegerator regulator as well.
I just sent my regulator back to get the Dual Needle valve/ counter setup installed by Orlando at GLA and will be building a second Reactor for the other side of my tank stand.
Wow, that's certainly an advantage of using a larger cylinder, not having to worry about that but, once or twice a year. As soon as you see the high pressure gauge move, just go for a fill up. Since I'm stuck right now using paintball tanks, it's a once per month fill up. I got a dual stage regulator so I could run it until empty without having to tweak the metering valve.
Nice thing about this hobby, more than one way to set it up to achieve the same result. Inexpensive ready built setup with PH Controller vs. more expensive dual stage regulator and metering valve without PH Controller vs. expensive custom built Sumo or GLA.
I think for alot of folks, going to a kegerator website, buying the reg and canister there and buying the metering valve from Rex or Sumo and running the co2 24/7 until, you can buy a solenoid and fittings to run it on a timer is a less expensive and reasonable way to go about things to. This way you learn while deciding to make a larger financial commitment to the hobby.
Hey it's a hobby. If you wind up with extra parts along the way so what? Knowledge costs too. I bet people that golf or fish have the starter equipment before they move onto the cool stuff. I think it's rare to start out with the titanium carbon fiber stuff to learn on. :wink:
... Nice thing about this hobby, more than one way to set it up to achieve the same result. ... more expensive dual stage regulator and metering valve without PH Controller ...
Hang on there a sec. They are not necessarily more expensive, but they certainly can be. If you pay retail, they are. You can easily have $300 to over $1000 in just these two parts.
I've picked up Swagelok and Parker metering valves from 99¢ to $35. Many of them have the Vernier handles. All but one was brand new. I have some special order chrome plated Ideal 52-1-12 needle valves for $80 shipped from Ideal. These are an exception and I had 9 of them custom made for a group order.
I just picked up a brand new Matheson 8-320 two stage chrome plated CO2 ready regulator for $11.52. I've purchased two stage Victor regulators from $10 to $75. These were either new or in mint condition. I just got my second mint condition Victor chrome plated two stage high purity SGT500. It's body is made from 316L stainless steel bar stock and it has stainless steel diaphragms. It was $60 shipped. I know where you can get a mint condition Victor HPT272 chrome plated high purity two stage regulator with stainless steel diaphragms that already has your choice of a chrome or a brass CGA-320 fitting. It also has a stainless steel Swagelok 1/4" x 1/8" reducer on the output. It comes ready to add the S, MV and BC. PM me if interested. I am not the seller, I get no commission and it isn't on ebay. pdf's of them:
SGT500: http://www.dmltrading.com.sg/documentation/SGT500.pdf
HPT272/270/280: http://www.dmltrading.com.sg/documentation/HPT270-280.pdf
Last week, a mint condition HPT270 like is in the pdf above went for $5.50. That was a deal! Herns got a new Concoa 212 series chrome plated two stage regulator for $9.99 about 5 months ago.
Concoa 212: http://www.ckgas.com/pdf/concoa/212.pdf
Anyway, it's just that I enjoy finding bargains and building my own.
Whether you bargain hunt and build your own or you purchase one already made from Rex, SuMo or GLA; you will have an excellent regulator for our use.
Thanks. I know I got the Burkert solenoid from Orlando, and I got the valve and BC from either Orlando or SuMo. I bought parts from both of them a while back.
Hmm so you got the solenoid from Greenleaf? I asked and they told me they didn't sell solenoid's separately so I bought my new one from AquariumPlants.com. I'd rather have bought it from Greenleaf.
Talked to a few folks and received mixed responses. Most replies stated issues with a steady flow rate would hamper a single regulator supplying two systems including Sergio at Sumo. Primary contact with Sumo was with Serg and what I wanted to do peaked his interest. He offered to build a rig and test flow rates if I wasn't in a hurry for the rig. Configured for dual feed Mike and Serg built and tested this rig and personally I don't know how I could be happier with the results.
Mounted on a 20lb cylinder it barely fits in the stand but running since July 2008 the pressure is yet to drop. American Marine controllers on both tanks with the right tank remotely controlling the solenoid via extension cord connected between the tank controller and regulator. Maintaining 35-45ppm 24/7 through Rex style down flow reactors.
Two 75g tanks, one CO2 system:hihi:. The drop checkers stay pale yellow-green on a hassle free feed to both tanks.
Thanx Sumo!
Talked to a few folks and received mixed responses. Most replies stated issues with a steady flow rate would hamper a single regulator supplying two systems including Sergio at Sumo. Primary contact with Sumo was with Serg and what I wanted to do peaked his interest. He offered to build a rig and test flow rates if I wasn't in a hurry for the rig. Configured for dual feed Mike and Serg built and tested this rig and personally I don't know how I could be happier with the results.
Mounted on a 20lb cylinder it barely fits in the stand but running since July 2008 the pressure is yet to drop. American Marine controllers on both tanks with the right tank remotely controlling the solenoid via extension cord connected between the tank controller and regulator. Maintaining 35-45ppm 24/7 through Rex style down flow reactors.
Two 75g tanks, one CO2 system:hihi:. The drop checkers stay pale yellow-green on a hassle free feed to both tanks.
Thanx Sumo!
You don't want that in your 29g. It goes inside an aquarium and it is quite large. It needs a power head too. My LFS has a 500 in one of their 75g display tanks.
Linde regulator (thanks FTM!)
Parker solenoid
Nupro metering valve
JBJ bubble counter
Cup diffuser (in tank)
I'm really running this on a trial basis, so that i can get used to how it works, and such. It will be pressed into service on a larger (75g) tank, hopefully very soon. For now, here is my freshly re-scaped 29 gallon.
edit: sorry bout pic size... still getting accustomed to photobucket.
And the thread to which I owe the design of my own reactor. Maybe I need to start calling them DiabloCanine reactors or DC reactors or Diablo reactors...
Yes it is a dual stage. I got lucky on this one. Was at a yard sale, and I just can't help my self when I see a box of old tools. Have to pick and see what is on the bottom. Sometimes it's better then the lottery. Asked the lady, how much it was and she said how about 10 bucks, and she made me smile.
But that would require the search function and reading. roud:
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