CO2 & regulator

2458 Views 20 Replies 10 Participants Last post by FishStix, Apr 11, 2014

FishStix

Discussion Starter · Apr 10, 2014 (Edited)

I need to buy my CO2 tank here in the next few days. I think I am going to order it online, found for around 105 bucks, free shipping, this is for 20# tank.

Anyone have any suggestions on where to buy dual stage regulator from, that ready to go? I don't want to have to make any changes to it, I want to be able to connect it and plug in and be good to go.

Thanks

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

rdmustang1

· #2 · Apr 10, 2014

Can you share where you found a 20# tank for $75 shipped?

There are a few people on here that might build you a regulator (myself included).

FishStix

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 10, 2014

rdmustang1 said:
Can you share where you found a 20# tank for $75 shipped?

There are a few people on here that might build you a regulator (myself included).

Sorry that was a typo on my part, the 10 lb tank was that price, the 20 lb tank is 105.

oldpunk78

· #4 · Apr 10, 2014

Look through the for sale forum. I think there's a few that haven't sold yet.

mba

· #5 · Apr 10, 2014

oldpunk78 said:
Look through the for sale forum. I think there's a few that haven't sold yet.

Those are overprice that ppl trying to sell you with SS build, I recommend you build your own, it does not have to be very precise for our plants application. Unless you have shrimps that are super sensitive, then go for a better cv rate needle valve. Bettatail has a writeup of different needle valve you can use.

FishStix

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 10, 2014

Also trying to decide if I should get 2 10 lb, or 1 20 lb, thinking of the fact I should never run out then. What do you think?

rdmustang1

· #7 · Apr 10, 2014

Get 1x 20lb if you can.

FishStix

Discussion Starter · #8 · Apr 10, 2014

rdmustang1 said:
Get 1x 20lb if you can.

Yep they have both 20lb or 10lb. I was thinking get 20lb, as this going on large tank 200+ and place that fills it not close by my house, but they will always fill it while I wait.

rdmustang1

· #9 · Apr 10, 2014

20lb lasts longer but is also cheaper. For instance, my local fill shop charges $21 for a 10# and $24 for a 20#. If you want 2 tanks then buy a 20# for main use and then a smaller tank for backup.

jrman83

· #10 · Apr 10, 2014

20s are harder to get filled in my area. I had one welding shop that could fill for me and then they stopped. Ended up having to go to a swap and drop place and would had to give up my nice new 20lb tank, or wait a week to get it filled. 10 and below are very easy to get filled.

What size fish tank?

FishStix

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 10, 2014 (Edited)

jrman83 said:
20s are harder to get filled in my area. I had one welding shop that could fill for me and then they stopped. Ended up having to go to a swap and drop place and would had to give up my nice new 20lb tank, or wait a week to get it filled. 10 and below are very easy to get filled.

What size fish tank?

Tank going to be around 200 gallons + 75 gallon sump

pwu_1

· #12 · Apr 10, 2014

greenleafaquariums.com has plug and play regulators but I just took a look and got sticker shock and remembered why I built my own regulator. If you are willing to pay though, that's a pretty good way to go. They even sell complete systems that includes the tank.
Also, as someone else suggested already, look in the classifieds.

For the tank, get the biggest tank that you can fit since the price to fill bigger tanks aren't that much more than smaller tanks so you might as well try and get more for your money.

FishStix

Discussion Starter · #13 · Apr 10, 2014

pwu_1 said:
greenleafaquariums.com has plug and play regulators but I just took a look and got sticker shock and remembered why I built my own regulator. If you are willing to pay though, that's a pretty good way to go. They even sell complete systems that includes the tank.
Also, as someone else suggested already, look in the classifieds.

For the tank, get the biggest tank that you can fit since the price to fill bigger tanks aren't that much more than smaller tanks so you might as well try and get more for your money.

ouch, sticker shock, you can say that again.

Cwy0608

· #14 · Apr 10, 2014

If you are in NC i have 2 20lbs for 80 each or 100 filled. Pm me I also have 2 dual stage regulators for sale

jeffkrol

· #15 · Apr 10, 2014

FishStix said:
Anyone have any suggestions on where to buy dual stage regulator from, that ready to go? I don't want to have to make any changes to it, I want to be able to connect it and plug in and be good to go.

Thanks

http://greenleafaquariums.com/products/ultimate-co2-system-two-stage.html

Plug and play 2 stage..

Ultimate CO2 System [Two-Stage]
$670.00

AlanLe

· #16 · Apr 10, 2014

jeffkrol said:
http://greenleafaquariums.com/products/ultimate-co2-system-two-stage.html

Plug and play 2 stage..

The cost to build this system is less than $140.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

jeffkrol

· #17 · Apr 10, 2014

AlanLe said:
The cost to build this system is less than $140.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

You know that and I know that (and it can even be a lot cheaper

) BUT

I want to be able to connect it and plug in and be good to go.

doesn't allow that really..

It was my only point..

But WAIT...

Free CO2 resistant tubing

..............

FishStix

Discussion Starter · #18 · Apr 11, 2014

jeffkrol said:
You know that and I know that (and it can even be a lot cheaper ) BUT

doesn't allow that really.. It was my only point..

But WAIT.................

I guess I said plug and play is because I have no idea how to build it, and don't want to get it wrong. I do have a friend that manager of welding supply store, that can get me everything at cost. I do want something that high end, that will last a long time, I just don't even know where to being. :help:

jeffkrol

· #19 · Apr 11, 2014 (Edited)

FishStix said:
I guess I said plug and play is because I have no idea how to build it, and don't want to get it wrong. I do have a friend that manager of welding supply store, that can get me everything at cost. I do want something that high end, that will last a long time, I just don't even know where to being. :help:

Well that is half the battle. Get any 2 stage regulator that is set up for CO2 (CGA 320) inlet.( I once read there is no such thing as a bad 2 stage regulator..

)
Only thing critical here is to make sure outlet pressure has a good range.. say 0-100psi.. Many CO2 injectors like 35psi or so to function properly
A tank that is the size you want..
Get a relay that, according to most here, has a low Watt draw.. (<8W or so???)
Get a timer to run the power for the solenoid
Get a very fine metering needle valve..
Tubing, bubble counter, check valve and some method of pumping the CO2 into the tank water (diffusion disc, in-line atomizer or reactor are the 3 choices)

Read this:
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=148509

Doing all new and at cost will set you back, guessitmating, about $300

INSERT solenoid valve between regulator and needle valve
NOTE: reactor is only one option..

Create parts list w/ help from your welding person.. Check list here for advice on selections before ordering..
optional fun parts are pH controller to shut off the CO2 if pH starts to spike. (or maintain a range)
CO2 checker

ALSO try to make sure most of the parts fit together relatively easily.. i.e try to standardize fittings..actually a bit harder than it sounds... Ideally if everything was, say 1/4NPT you just wrench it all together..
When you cobble things togethr you get like mine.. 1/4NPT to 1/2 NPT back to 1/4NPT to 1/8 NPT to Hoke gyrolok to 1/8npt to 1/16 hose barb..

See less See more

caique

· #20 · Apr 11, 2014

Check aquariumplants.com they have an electronic regulator that is awesome.

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