Regulator Question

[Daz CPFC]

I have been considering starting to use pressurized co2 in my tank and have been looking around at regulators. Last night while looking i foudn this one here which says its a manual regulator. I was wondering what is the different between a manual one and then one such as this.

Thanks for any help!

 

[nicklfire]

My only suggestion to you is if your spending all the money on pressurized high tech setup than dont be cheap with your parts. These two regulars are obviously very different. Regulators are the most important part about your setup so this why we want premium.

I'm guessing that one says manual because it does not have a solinoid or a bubble counter, or 2 guagues.

The second one is far superior... It has a solinoid (so you can plug into a timer so it shuts itself off at pre set hours.. by your with a timer) the other one does not so you have to turn it off every night..

the second one also has two guages.. which you want... and it also has a bubble counter.. which you need.

Go for reputable brands of you might get into problems with cheapos.... milwakee are great brands.. expensive but worth the money in my opinion. I spent about 400 bucks on my pressurized setup, went for the best.. and it's paid off.. no problems.. constant co2.... exactly what i paid for with my money.

But i'm sure others will pipe up if they have maybe bought the manual one.. not for me to.. i bought mine for care free operation...

 

[SuperColey1]

Its just the translation that gets lost on AMs site.

Nicklfire is right in that he calls the ones without solenoids manual, although in essence the 2 regulators are the same just one has a cylinder pressure gauge and the other doesn't.

The regulator is just the main section of both setups there.

I am AMs biggest fan but I am not too keen on either of these regs as they will be shipped a long way and also they are from outside europe which may mean needing adaptors to fit euro cylinders!!

You should find out if and where you can get your cannister refilling and if they require you to rent or buy one of their branded cylinders etc before deciding on a refillable regulator. If you have trouble like I and many others do (the restrictions seem to be a lot tighter on bottled gasses these days) then you might consider going the disposable bottle route which would mean that this regulator would be of no use.

Research where you can get refills and what restrictions/conditions they have before you buy the equipment.

Andy

 

[Daz CPFC]

Thanks guys. I have found a aquamedic regulator which is £70 which seems to be a good deal. I would be using refillable bottles as i have a place near me which sells the bottles. I have also found that Aqua Essentials sell adapters to convert the normal connection to one that will work with refillable bottles as this reg says it will accept such an adapter.

The aquamedic regulator i was lookign at is this one here:

http/www.ultimateaquatics.co.uk/acatalog..._Equipment.html

I already have a bubble counter etc as im using a yeast mix at present. So would that reg be okay? Thanks again.

 

[SuperColey1]

That reg would be fine and is a good quality one. It doesn't include a solenoid though so if you are planning to shut the CO2 off at night then you will need to buy one.

I personally don't use a solenoid these days and some others also don't.

for me it looks a bit pricey though

If you want to go the disposable route try these links:

Regulator (second item down):
http/www.welduk.com/Results1.asp?Category=37



Needle Valve and Solenoid:
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/CO2-Feinnadelventil-...oQQcmdZViewItem

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/CO2-magnetic-valve-n...oQQcmdZViewItem



Bottles(buy 3 or more at a time to keep the shiping down, they should last at least the year):
http/www.weldingcentre.co.uk/displayprod...=61&caid=57

This is the setup I have and can vouch for it's reliability (I bought mine in March) buy some proper CO2 hosing though and of course a decent diffusor or reactor.

1 bottle lasts me (using 24/7 - no solenoid) 4 months on a 33USG

Andy

 

[Themuleous]

Get this kit - its the cheapest thing on the net. Then when the 500g cylinder runs out get one from the shop near you, or see if they will refill the 500g one some places will.

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/CO2-Anlage-Komplett-...oQQcmdZViewItem

Better yet if they will refill any cylinder, get the 2kg version of that kit!

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/CO2-Anlage-Komplett-...oQQcmdZViewItem

These kits are excellent, used by many people on here and me

Sam

PS - there are quite literally 100's of threads re pressurised CO2 systems, more detailed advice can be found in those

 

[Daz CPFC]

Thanks for all the replys and kits i can look at a bit more in detail when i get in tongiht. I have been looking at a few of the older threads aswell so just making sure i make the right choice and dont need to change it in the future!

Thanks!