How to build a CO2 regulator for your calcium reactor.

[Lipsontherun]

Originally Posted by whitesquall

Is anyone on here building these for sale?

or can someone provide just a easy to search list of acceptable make and model parts, so it would make it easier to search for these parts, I find myself having to go back and forth searching thur this thread.
Some kind of list like:
Regulators:
Gauges:
Solenoids:
Niddle valves:

Where are you at? I was looking to put my couple extra with my home built CR as a package deal. But if you need one I might be able to find a way to just build another. I have had my eye on a slimline model.

[herring_fish]

I hope that this is the right place to post. I have read many many pages about regulators. I get the concepts but there are so many part numbers that they all run together. Then when I go to ebay, what I am looking for is nowhere to be found.

This may not be the best way to go but I want to get a Stainless Steel Dual Stage body with a Planted Tank electronic regulator. The PT digital regulator, by itself, goes for a full retail of $209. A digital setup instead of the needle valve just fits my personality.

I have been advised that I should go all new but I don’t know if my budget can handle it. If I have an SS model, I’m not sure if a used unit would be a bad idea but perhaps I need to be encouraged (beaten up little) to understand where I need to spend the money. On the first page of this thread I saw the Victor SGT500 (SS), Matheson 3810 (SS), Concoa 432 (SS) but I also saw some good equivalent units. I don’t care so much about actual brand names but I am concerned with quality. I see that some people get new stuff at a great price.

Right now, my budget is very loose at about 3 to 6 hundred, including the electric box but it could go up if needed. On the other hand, I see people finding a steal in stainless steel.

All that being said, I need help finding parts that I can actually buy. I would love it if someone would take a little bit of profit to shepherd me through to a good quality finished regulator at a great price.

Would someone please help me?

[ct_vol]

Originally Posted by herring_fish

Right now, my budget is very loose at about 3 to 6 hundred, including the electric box but it could go up if needed. On the other hand, I see people finding a steal in stainless steel.

All that being said, I need help finding parts that I can actually buy. I would love it if someone would take a little bit of profit to shepherd me through to a good quality finished regulator at a great price.

Would someone please help me?

Patience is your friend if you're looking for a deal. You end up paying for convenience and speed. Deals can be found on eBay, but they go fast. You can definitely save if you go brass over stainless.

[alanle]

Off topic a bit...where do you guys buy those blue reservoir bins?

[ct_vol]

These?

http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/...Q&gclsrc=aw.ds

If you're close to a ULINE facility, it's tough to beat the price.

Also, when I lived in TN we had a condiment packer close to us. We could get food grade barrels dirt cheap. Had to bleach them and then clean with vinegar, but it got the job done.

[alanle]

Originally Posted by ct_vol

These?

http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/...Q&gclsrc=aw.ds

If you're close to a ULINE facility, it's tough to beat the price.

Also, when I lived in TN we had a condiment packer close to us. We could get food grade barrels dirt cheap. Had to bleach them and then clean with vinegar, but it got the job done.

Yes! How do you install the float valve? It looks like you cant remove the lid.

[ct_vol]

They have different types. Some with removable lids, others without. If you can fit your arm in the one with the closed lid, it's easy to install the float valve at the top. Otherwise, you just cut a hole. Jigsaw or Reciprocating both work well...

[lighthouze08]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2490674

[alanle]

Originally Posted by ct_vol

They have different types. Some with removable lids, others without. If you can fit your arm in the one with the closed lid, it's easy to install the float valve at the top. Otherwise, you just cut a hole. Jigsaw or Reciprocating both work well...

Thanks! I have a sprectrapure maxcap ro/di system but didnt know that these systems were not designed for pressurized ro tanks. So I need to get a reservoir. By the way their customer service is horrible. You have to leave a voicemail and they will call you back using a skype number. I'm questioning the way they run their business.

[ct_vol]

Can you use a booster pump to utilize a pressurized tank? That's the way I have my drinking water set up.

I've never been much of a fan of Spectrapure. To me, they were a great company for reefers 10 years ago that never evolved. They had the highest quality ro/di units, but as other quality competitors came on, they didn't alter their prices or step up their service to compensate. The same can be said of their Litermeters.

Another alternative for water storage are storage tanks designed for Agricultural use.

http://www.farmandfleet.com/m/produc...rage-tank.html

[alanle]

Originally Posted by ct_vol

Can you use a booster pump to utilize a pressurized tank? That's the way I have my drinking water set up.

I've never been much of a fan of Spectrapure. To me, they were a great company for reefers 10 years ago that never evolved. They had the highest quality ro/di units, but as other quality competitors came on, they didn't alter their prices or step up their service to compensate. The same can be said of their Litermeters.

Another alternative for water storage are storage tanks designed for Agricultural use.

http://www.farmandfleet.com/m/produc...rage-tank.html

This one might work. It has an opening on the bottom. I can run my water pump line through it.

[LuisPerez711]

Hello everybody. This thread has inspired me to build my own regulator for my new calcium reactor that I just received and wow there is so much i didn't know about the regulators. so thank you to all for this mountain of information that you have given us.

i just saw this auction on a regulator and was wondering what your opinion might be on this model. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Matheson-CGA...item4ae6b052aa

[alanle]

Originally Posted by LuisPerez711

Hello everybody. This thread has inspired me to build my own regulator for my new calcium reactor that I just received and wow there is so much i didn't know about the regulators. so thank you to all for this mountain of information that you have given us.

i just saw this auction on a regulator and was wondering what your opinion might be on this model. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Matheson-CGA...item4ae6b052aa

This regulator will work. The shipping fee is a bit high. It's not stainless steel. Seller is not taking return. Meaning you're stuck with this regulator if it has a leak. So consider these factors.

[LuisPerez711]

I ended up getting these two (one for me and another for my buddy).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/231245134475...475%26_rdc%3D1
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261668788437...437%26_rdc%3D1
I know that they arent the SS models but Ill have mine outside of my sump area so I'm hoping that will help somewhat lol Returns are excepted and I haggled on the price and got free shipping.

[alanle]

Originally Posted by LuisPerez711

I ended up getting these two (one for me and another for my buddy).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/231245134475...475%26_rdc%3D1
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261668788437...437%26_rdc%3D1
I know that they arent the SS models but Ill have mine outside of my sump area so I'm hoping that will help somewhat lol Returns are excepted and I haggled on the price and got free shipping.

Nice regulators!

[LuisPerez711]

Haven't been able to find any of the burkert solenoids on ebay so i might just have to buy them new. But I'll keep looking i still need all the other connections. By the way, where did you order those bubble counters that attach to the meetering valve?

[alanle]

Originally Posted by LuisPerez711

Haven't been able to find any of the burkert solenoids on ebay so i might just have to buy them new. But I'll keep looking i still need all the other connections. By the way, where did you order those bubble counters that attach to the meetering valve?

http://m.ebay.com/itm/261560967664?nav=SEARCH

[LuisPerez711]

Awesome! so i didn't do too bad...and of course this is all thanks to you guys! Few questions regarding these regulators. I see that they both Have the same high and low pressure specs and was wondering what the real difference is between the two of them. I was looking on AIRGAS.com and the Y12-SR145D is labeled as a smart indicating regulator but since it doesnt come with the rest of the doo dads is it just like the Y12-244D? Also, is the second knob, the one after the regulator, really needed?

[LuisPerez711]

thank you for the link! Much appreciated

[alanle]

Here is the stainless steel whitey 22 series needle valve. This is a very rare valve and will work great. This is a hot item. If you are looking for a good needle valve, this is the one.
111641705074
121617145815

[rynoe]

Thanks Alan. 111641705074 is now sold. Now I just need to find a regulator.

[alanle]

Originally Posted by rynoe

Thanks Alan. 111641705074 is now sold. Now I just need to find a regulator.

Here is a really nice concoa 312 regulator. The working condition is unknown and seller is not taking return. The condition still looks really good. Do you want to gamble? I wouldnt pay more than $40 for something like this.
161643550138

[alanle]

Originally Posted by LuisPerez711

Awesome! so i didn't do too bad...and of course this is all thanks to you guys! Few questions regarding these regulators. I see that they both Have the same high and low pressure specs and was wondering what the real difference is between the two of them. I was looking on AIRGAS.com and the Y12-SR145D is labeled as a smart indicating regulator but since it doesnt come with the rest of the doo dads is it just like the Y12-244D? Also, is the second knob, the one after the regulator, really needed?

As long as the regulator is a dual stage and you are good to go. Some regulators are made of stainless steel, assembled in a clean room, equipped with better parts for specific use. Both of the airgas regs you are looking at are dual stage. Just dont get the one with high working output pressure. Below 100 psi is good.

[rynoe]

Well I took a gamble and picked up the concoa 312 for $50. Hopefully it tests out ok.

[rynoe]

Well the deal fell through so back in the hunt for a regulator.