cheap c02 tanks & regulators, are these ok?

CBehr · 01/30/2009, 09:15 AM

Found this place online, cheapest equip I've found so far. I'm sure the tank would work, what about the regulators?

http://www.wholesaledraft.com/catalo...=69&brandID=13

http://www.wholesaledraft.com/catalo...=72&brandID=14

Creetin · 01/30/2009, 09:28 AM

I would think they would work. The regulator would need a needle valve though. Dont cheap out on that one though. IMO

Creetin · 01/30/2009, 09:30 AM

Also no solinoid on it either.

jtma508 · 01/30/2009, 11:12 AM

IME the regulator is the weak link in the whole Ca Reactor system. You can buy the biggest bestest Ca Reactor but if you use a cheap regulator you will quickly lose your mind. I moved from a Milwaukee to an AquariumPlants electronic. It made all the difference in the world.

CBehr · 01/30/2009, 12:34 PM

Wow, those electronic regulators are $$ I don't know that I can drop that kind of money right now...

coryjac0b · 01/30/2009, 02:58 PM

i think in this hobby its better to wait and save up some $$, rather than buying cheap junk and just having to re-buy it later.

CBehr · 01/30/2009, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by coryjac0b
i think in this hobby its better to wait and save up some $$, rather than buying cheap junk and just having to re-buy it later.

So you guys think the $100 Milwaukee or $150 Reef Fanatic regulators are junk?

If these $285 LCD ones are really the route to go then I'll do it...but I just don't know.

coryjac0b · 01/30/2009, 03:22 PM

im not referring to the milwaukee and others as junk, but the one you listed, the "beer" co2 regulators probably are. I don't know, i haven't use any of them. i was just stating that lots of equipment in this hobby that is cheap/inexpensive turns out to be you get what you pay for. most equipment, not all.

jnb · 02/19/2009, 01:02 PM

i am not having fun with my RF reg - working pressure is 27 pounds and not having all that much fun tweaking BPM

HornetMech242 · 02/24/2009, 05:08 PM

I just put my RF regulator to use yesterday. I was wondering about that operating pressure. But anyways, i easily got my bubble count to 32BPM with no issues at all. U just have got to have the velvet touch and turn the knob very slow.

Chris

TheH · 02/24/2009, 05:53 PM

CBehr you don't really need the aquariumplants electronic regulator with lcd screen. They sell the same thing without the lcd screen for $100 less.

jnb · 02/24/2009, 06:58 PM

yea - I could easily get to 30bpm but following recommendations from someone I started slower and that was hard dialing it in - plus I am trying to tune the ca system so the controller does not go off and on much - I ordered a more sensitive valve to put in line and am confident that it will make it very very easy

Quote:

Originally posted by HornetMech242
I just put my RF regulator to use yesterday. I was wondering about that operating pressure. But anyways, i easily got my bubble count to 32BPM with no issues at all. U just have got to have the velvet touch and turn the knob very slow.

Chris

Frozn · 02/24/2009, 08:50 PM

Hmm.. That Co2 tank is nicely priced..

A Co2 tank is a Co2 tank right?

I was going to buy used, but depending on the price might just grab this one...

01/30/2009, 09:15 AM	#1
CBehr Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ephrata, PA Posts: 588	cheap c02 tanks & regulators, are these ok? Found this place online, cheapest equip I've found so far. I'm sure the tank would work, what about the regulators? http://www.wholesaledraft.com/catalo...=69&brandID=13 http://www.wholesaledraft.com/catalo...=72&brandID=14 __________________ 1st time w/o a tank in 10+ years. Planning 65g..mainly fish, maybe a few LPS/Softies

01/30/2009, 09:28 AM	#2
Creetin Limestone Cowboy. Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In a little place i like to call a little place. Posts: 4,552	I would think they would work. The regulator would need a needle valve though. Dont cheap out on that one though. IMO __________________ If only common sense was common. Current Tank Info: 300 gal marineland deep

01/30/2009, 09:30 AM	#3
Creetin Limestone Cowboy. Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In a little place i like to call a little place. Posts: 4,552	Also no solinoid on it either. __________________ If only common sense was common. Current Tank Info: 300 gal marineland deep

01/30/2009, 12:34 PM	#5
CBehr Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ephrata, PA Posts: 588	Wow, those electronic regulators are $$ I don't know that I can drop that kind of money right now... __________________ 1st time w/o a tank in 10+ years. Planning 65g..mainly fish, maybe a few LPS/Softies

02/24/2009, 05:08 PM	#10
HornetMech242 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Amarillo, TX Posts: 786	I just put my RF regulator to use yesterday. I was wondering about that operating pressure. But anyways, i easily got my bubble count to 32BPM with no issues at all. U just have got to have the velvet touch and turn the knob very slow. Chris __________________ I didin't know, it's my first day... Current Tank Info: 120g AGA, 150 #'s fiji rock, DIY stand & canopy, 2 250 watt MH's 14000k on Ice Cap ballast's in Lumenbright reflectors, Mag 9.5 return pump, Dart pump with Oceans Motions closed loop, octopus DNW200 skimmer, GEO 618 Calcium reactor

01/30/2009, 11:12 AM	#4
jtma508 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MA Posts: 1,232	IME the regulator is the weak link in the whole Ca Reactor system. You can buy the biggest bestest Ca Reactor but if you use a cheap regulator you will quickly lose your mind. I moved from a Milwaukee to an AquariumPlants electronic. It made all the difference in the world.

01/30/2009, 02:58 PM	#6
coryjac0b Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Metairie, LA Posts: 823	i think in this hobby its better to wait and save up some $$, rather than buying cheap junk and just having to re-buy it later.

01/30/2009, 03:22 PM	#8
coryjac0b Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Metairie, LA Posts: 823	im not referring to the milwaukee and others as junk, but the one you listed, the "beer" co2 regulators probably are. I don't know, i haven't use any of them. i was just stating that lots of equipment in this hobby that is cheap/inexpensive turns out to be you get what you pay for. most equipment, not all.

02/19/2009, 01:02 PM	#9
jnb Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: S.E. Florida Deerfield Beach Posts: 2,581	i am not having fun with my RF reg - working pressure is 27 pounds and not having all that much fun tweaking BPM

02/24/2009, 05:53 PM	#11
TheH Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 1,278	CBehr you don't really need the aquariumplants electronic regulator with lcd screen. They sell the same thing without the lcd screen for $100 less.

02/24/2009, 08:50 PM	#13
Frozn Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 113	Hmm.. That Co2 tank is nicely priced.. A Co2 tank is a Co2 tank right? I was going to buy used, but depending on the price might just grab this one...