Advice On Needle Valves

[SuperColey1]

Since last mondays disaster (pre solenoid valve) where I lost all my livestock due to the second hand cheapo needle valve I got not doing its job (or me getting it totally wrong) I want to get it totally clear in my head how and what to do this time.

I have been looking at the following needle valve

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/CO2-Feinnadelventil-...1QQcmdZViewItem

I currently have the solenoid valve screwed directly into the front of the regulator and the the CO2 hose direct into the solenoid valve.

With this valve would I just screw it into the solenoid valve with the hose the other side or directly into the regulator and then 'somehow' into the solenoid the other side.

I can see from setting up the solenoid that the hose connectors either side of the solenoid valve unscrew and then you can screw things onto them.

My second question is. How high to I set the pressure on the regulator (using the regulators knob) so that there is CO2 available before finely tuning it down with the needle valve? I guess not too high but just want to make sure there are no more mistakes.

Andy

 

[nicklfire]

hey buddy, sorry to hear about the disaster.. that's a tough break... I recently found out about rex's site that sells alot of co2 hardware and fertz even.. you could try to contact him (that's what he prefers) and seeing if he can help you out. Here's his hardware site for co2 stuff.

http/www.bestaquariumregulator.com/

Best of luck to you too buddy lemme know how it goes.

 

[Themuleous]

Would this new needle value not attach in the place of the one that failed? In answer to your question, the reg needs to be set to around 1-2bar/psi.

BTW Ive got one of the regs from these people and they are excellent, find the needle value very easy to use.

Sam

 

[SuperColey1]

Yeah

I bought the solenoid valve from them and some CO2 tubing and it just screwed straight into the front of the reg no probs.

I am assuming by looking at Dave's setup on his journal that I can just unscrew the hose connector that is still on the out side of the solenoid with the CO2 tubing attached at the moment and screw the needle valve in then reconnect the tubing.

Happy with the solenoid. works a treat. Just want to control the flow a little more.

At the mo it comes on 2 hours after the 0.6WPG turns on (1½ hours before 2.4WPG) and then turns off at the same time as the 2.4WPG finishes.

Obviously the needle valve will be definately needed when I get back up to the 2-8-2 rather than 3½-5-3½ that I am on at the mo which should co-incide with the restocking as well.

1-2 bar it is then. Works out at about £10 the needle valve so thats pretty cheap.

Andy

 

[zig]

Andy heres my setup you probably have the same regulator as well, needle valve is the same here as in your link, the solenoid in this setup is just plumbed inline on the CO2 tubing, never had a problem with this type needle valve and setup, this one is up and running about 2 years now.

This shot just shows the whole setup a bit better, these are shots I took ages ago for a different thread still have them on photobucket.

 

[SuperColey1]

No this is my regulator (Its a disposable welding one) with the solenoid attached at present.

It is a dual dial, the bottle pressure dial is hidden by the solenoid in this pic.

I am guessing I just unscrew the 'hose adaptor' replace with needle valve and then reconnect tubing

Andy

 

[Themuleous]

You mean the hose connector on the solenoid? I would be more keen to attach it to the reg itself and have the solenoid in-line like Zig has his.

Sam

 

[Maximumbob]

You could try here for a needle valve. Its run by a UKAPS guy.

 

[SuperColey1]

Indeed it is run by a UKAPS guy but he is too expensive.

Thats why I bought my reg for £8 less from WeldUK
The Solenoid for £25 less from Lunapet
And now i will buy the needle Valve for £9 less from Lunapet

Whilst I do like to support things like UKAPS I'm not going to line someone elses pockets in the process, whilst emptying my own.

Andy