UP Aqua Simple regulator

[NCSteve]

I'm exploring my options and seriously considering starting co2 in my planted 40 breeder. I've read a ton of great info here in the forums and decided I want to keep it simple for my first system. I'm on a tight budget and have been looking at the UP Aqua Simple regulator and adaptor from Amazon to use paintball
tanks.
Is anyone using this regulator and is it worth trying?



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[h4n]

I have no experience with teh UP aqua simple regulator.
But a paintball tank on a 40b will run out quick. You'll be refill the paintball tank like once a week.

[sarahspins]

Originally Posted by h4n

But a paintball tank on a 40b will run out quick. You'll be refill the paintball tank like once a week.

Not necessarily.. I have been getting about 6 weeks on a 24oz tank on my 55... my smaller tanks obviously go longer between fills. Unless you're legitimately refilling a 5lb tank once a month I think it's silly to suggest a paintball tank would run out after a week.

Sure, I do have to fill up more often than if I had a bigger tank, but there's nowhere nearby to fill a larger tank and the only place I know of (about an hour away) charges $3/lb, which actually works out to be more than I'm paying to refill my paintball tanks. I pass the place that fills the paintball tanks almost every day, so it's easy to just stop in when I need one filled, I don't need to make a special trip.

[NCSteve]

Thanks Han! That really changes things then. What do most people use on the bigger tanks, 5-10lb tank or something even bigger?

[h4n]

Originally Posted by sarahspins

Not necessarily.. I have been getting about 6 weeks on a 24oz tank on my 55... my smaller tanks obviously go longer between fills. Unless you're legitimately refilling a 5lb tank once a month I think it's silly to suggest a paintball tank would run out after a week.

Sure, I do have to fill up more often than if I had a bigger tank, but there's nowhere nearby to fill a larger tank and the only place I know of (about an hour away) charges $3/lb, which actually works out to be more than I'm paying to refill my paintball tanks. I pass the place that fills the paintball tanks almost every day, so it's easy to just stop in when I need one filled, I don't need to make a special trip.

How much co2 you pumping into your 55g?

-Sent from my Samsung Note, a "Phablet"

[h4n]

Originally Posted by NCSteve

Thanks Han! That really changes things then. What do most people use on the bigger tanks, 5-10lb tank or something even bigger?

What most people use is 5lb.

But ya it all depends on what you can get locally like sarah said.

I have welding supply store 20 mins near me.

-Sent from my Samsung Note, a "Phablet"

[houseofcards]

I wouldn't trust it especially without a solenoid. If something happens at night your screwed.

[NCSteve]

Thanks for that info Han and Sarah. I've got several sources closeby to get a 5lb bottle and refills so I'll go that route. Another question.... does the solenoid serve any other function other than being able to turn the flow on and off with a timer?

[Darkblade48]

Originally Posted by NCSteve

Another question.... does the solenoid serve any other function other than being able to turn the flow on and off with a timer?

No. The solenoid is essentially just an on/off switch that is controlled by the flow of electricity. When it is powered, it is open and allows gas flow; when it is unpowered, it is closed and does not allow gas flow (in the case of a normally closed solenoid).