Co2 From Kegarator

[nfored]

I was given a 5lb bottle and the regulator with tap still attached. One of the gauges is missing the glass so it will likely need to be replaced,my question is can I use this regulator? or do I need to buy one that was made for planted tanks?

I will attempt to get pictures of the regulator today, as I know its not much help without them, also the bottle has what looks like a gate valve or a water hose valve on the top.

 

[jcardona1]

It should work, but you'll need to add a needle valve and a solenoid for it to be used on a planted tank.

 

[Philafari]

try it out, n let us know!! thanks wanna repicate

 

[lipadj46]

A new gauge should run you $12 or so from your local welding shop. Yes the tank should have a valve on it to open and close the tank. A needle valve is not a place to be cheap. Ideal makes a great one:

http://www.idealvalve.com/52-series-forged-brass-needle-valves.html

You want the 52-1-12. Call them and say its for an aquarium and he will know which one ($70 shipped). Burkert makes a good solenoid:

http://www.aquariumplants.com/Burkert_Brass_Solenoid_Valve_Type_6011_p/bu6011.htm

Final thing you need is a good check valve, this is the best as far as I can tell:

http://www.swagelok.com/search/find_products_home.aspx?part=B-2C2-1/3

All the fittings you can get from Lowes. You can make a reactor from PVC for under $20. Some like a nice brass bubble counter but you can always stick the hose in the tank and count bubbles.

 

[nfored]

So if I am going to buy a good needle valve should I worry about possibly having a cheap regulator? or is that not something I need to worry about?

Here I thought a whole new kit was 150.00 with regulator, valve, and solenoid from like red sea.
70.00 for the valve 50.00 for the solenoid, I I must have been confused

 

[lipadj46]

So if I am going to buy a good needle valve should I worry about possibly having a cheap regulator? or is that not something I need to worry about?

Here I thought a whole new kit was 150.00 with regulator, valve, and solenoid from like red sea.
70.00 for the valve 50.00 for the solenoid, I I must have been confused

sure you can get a complete regulator from milwaukee for $80. but that comes with a cheap needle valve that will change settings and is near impossible to get a low bubble count and a solenoid that may or may not one day decide not to close.

As far as a good needle valve with a cheap regulator my opinion is that the needle valve is more important. There are other less expensive needle valves too (fabco nv55)

 

[nfored]

I will just have to buy one thing at a time and maybe have the complete kit buy mid summer. luckily I already have a canister filter so I just need the missing co2 parts and a light.

When I go to the welding shop will the be able to test my regulator and make sure its safe? if not is there a way to test it?

 

[lipadj46]

I don't think they will test it, maybe they would rebuild it. Its one of those acts of faith thing, turn the valve and hope nothing shoots off. At least with CO2 we are "only" at 800 or so psi. Usually the regulators themselves are over engineered and the things that fail are the gauges or maybe o'rings/gaskets.

 

[wtf]

I would think you could unscrew the bad gauge and purchase a new one for fairly cheap. Get some thread tape and screw the new one on.

 

[nfored]

I would think you could unscrew the bad gauge and purchase a new one for fairly cheap. Get some thread tape and screw the new one on.

For sure going to replace that gauge, hoping to order the needle valve next month.