[Jpraud]

Hello everybody, I read a lot of your threads in the last days. Now I have a question for you. I've been in low tech planted aquarium since 8-9 years now, but I want to upgrade on Hi-tech. I ordered the current USA satellite Led + pro for my 60 gallons aquarium. Now I want to put some CO2 in there. A friend of mine gave me is kit that's include a 5 pounds bottle (that i've just made an hydrostatic + refill) with a Milwaukee regulator (the classic MA957).

After trying to use the kit, I realized that the regulator is broken. Also, I read a lot of bad reviews on the internet about this regulator, including people that lost all their fish.

So now I'm looking for a solution. I looked at GreenLeaf regulator that seems to be high quality regulators but with the shipping and imports charges, the cheaper one would cost me about 400$. So now I'm looking at the American marine Pinpoint that is 179,99$ but it is absolutely impossible to find reviews on it! Did someone have any bad or good experience with it? Also, I could repair my Milwaukee and add an automatic pH controller.

So, after the read of that novel :hihi: what do you think is the best choice? Repair the Milwaukee and add a pH controller, or buy the Pinpoint?

If you have other suggestion that are reliable and in the same range of price, tell me!

Have a good night

Jocelyn

 

[PlantedRich]

That's going to be a very complex question with lots of answers as we all may like different things. Which is better, repair or replace? That may first need some info on what is broken about the Milwaukee. Lots of the parts may be reusable even if the reg itself is toast and not worth fixing. I run a cheap single stage "beer" reg with a PH controller and find it works fine for me. Others don't trust single stage at all but that's a matter of deep discussion. Maybe going to a new single stage in the $50 range combined with a controller is one answer? If the other parts of the setup like needle valve, solenoid and diffuser are good, simply move them over to the new reg. But that leaves the question of what is broken on the current reg?

Sorry, no ideas or info on the pinpoint.

 

[azn1314]

You can also try look into CO2art regulators. I have heard good things about them but haven't got one myself yet. But they will be from UK, so might take a bit long on shipping if you gonna take the free shipping.

 

[ichy]

my 2cents...don't spend money repairing a mediocre regulator, you will still end up with a mediocre regulator....put the money towards a good solid regulator, solenoid and needle valve.

With those quality parts you will maintain a good consistent bubble count day-to-day and then add a Ph controller down the line...

 

[jeffkrol]

Hello everybody, I read a lot of your threads in the last days. Now I have a question for you. I've been in low tech planted aquarium since 8-9 years now, but I want to upgrade on Hi-tech. I ordered the current USA satellite Led + pro for my 60 gallons aquarium. Now I want to put some CO2 in there. A friend of mine gave me is kit that's include a 5 pounds bottle (that i've just made an hydrostatic + refill) with a Milwaukee regulator (the classic MA957).

After trying to use the kit, I realized that the regulator is broken. Also, I read a lot of bad reviews on the internet about this regulator, including people that lost all their fish.

So now I'm looking for a solution. I looked at GreenLeaf regulator that seems to be high quality regulators but with the shipping and imports charges, the cheaper one would cost me about 400$. So now I'm looking at the American marine Pinpoint that is 179,99$ but it is absolutely impossible to find reviews on it! Did someone have any bad or good experience with it? Also, I could repair my Milwaukee and add an automatic pH controller.

So, after the read of that novel :hihi: what do you think is the best choice? Repair the Milwaukee and add a pH controller, or buy the Pinpoint?

If you have other suggestion that are reliable and in the same range of price, tell me!

Have a good night

Jocelyn

always start w/ the quality of the regulator..
As a baseline, and for those not into hunting on eek bay:
https://weldingsupply.com/cgi-bin/einstein.pl?PNUM::1:UNDEF:X:35-125-540

Change out the CGA for a CO2 one
CGA-320 CO2 high pressure bottle fitting. Western CO2 & 333 nipple, same as Superior N-61 nut & NP-151 hose nipple for 1/4 inch male pipe thread

Rest of the major parts (solenoid, needle valve) is between $60 and then up.. You got a tank sooo

CO2 Regulator Parts | CO2 For Planted Tanks And Home Brewing. CO2 Regulator Post Body Kit #1
CO2 Regulator Parts | CO2 For Planted Tanks And Home Brewing. Kit for Paintball CO2

You can get all the parts from the above including the CGA .. sans regulator..You can generally get a used 2 stage for 1/3 or less the cost of the new Smith.. but it takes patience..

Overall under $300 is pretty easy..
"commercial" alternative is this one.. Currently avoid the cheap blue faced 2 stage, seems to have teething pains..
http://www.co2art.co.uk/collections...l-stage-regulator-and-solenoid-magnetic-valve
$282.66 US...........

 

[psyflyjohn]

I rolled the dice with an $90 Aquatek regulator and used 20 lb. CO2 tank, and it has been working perfectly for a year.....