I have a CO2 bottle & regulator, now what?

[Jaysn]

I was able to score a 15# CO2 bottle and a dual-gauge regulator for $80 on craig's list, and now I have lots of questions:
Where can I find whatever fittings I need to be able to connect it to airline tubing?
Does anyone have any good links to a DIY bubble counter?
Is silicon tubing good for CO2, or do I need to get something else?
The two gauges on the regulator go from 0-200 Bar/0-3000 psi on the main gauge, and 0-4 Bar/0-60 psi on the outlet gauge. Will this be slow enough (fast enough?) for a 55 gallon tank?
I already have a hopefully decent diffuser, I bought this (https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=9907&prodid=18686&catid=3) one from Drs F&S.


Thanks everyone!

[ChicoRaton]

1) order a needle valve online. You should be able to find a really nice one and this is the most important part of the setup. http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/CO2/solenoid.html

Everything else you should be able to find at a hardware store. They usually have a big rack of little 3" drawers with all kinds of little brass fittings. Use plenty of teflon tape on the low-pressure connections.

2) http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/CO2/bubble-counter.html

3) Silicone tubing works great.

4) Yes, you won't need to go anywhere near 60 PSI. With a really nice needle valve, you should be able to run at 5psi. With a cheaper needle valve, 1-2 PSI would be better if your regulator can keep the pressure steady that low.

[Rex Grigg]

I have all the fittings. So do other people. You won't find them at a hardware store.

In my Guide I show how to build a very basic DIY bubble counter.

Silicone tubing is the worst choice.

The regulator will work fine.

Return the diffuser. Call now for a return ticket. That's the worst choice you can make to attempt to diffuse CO2.

If you run a canister filter I have in my Guide directions to build a DIY PVC reactor.

[Jaysn]

I'm not running a canister, I haven't built one yet. Why will silicon tubing and that diffuser not work? I'm just curious to your vehemence without any backup info. Can I send you a pic/dimensions of the regulator I have, and have you give me a quote for a needle valve and whatever else I will need? I've read your guide a few times, just wanted to see if there were other opinions out there.

[Rex Grigg]

Co2 loss though silicone tubing.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/213172-post11.html

Gas permeability chart for various types of tubing. The larger the number the worse the loss.

http://www.coleparmer.com/techinfo/techinfo.asp?openlist=D,E,C&htmlfile=SelectingTubing%2Ehtm&Title=Search

As for the diffuser. At least five years in the forums watching people **** and moan about how they wasted their money on it. I don't think I've ever seen anyone happy with it.

A few threads that back me up.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/search.php?searchid=935106

All I need to know on the regulator is the threaded port size. If it has a hose barb in it for beverage dispensing just remove the barb and take the barb to the hardware store and see what size brass fitting it fits.

[Jaysn]

Cool, thanks for the info! I'll measure it when I get home, and I'm sure you'll be getting an order from me in the near future.