More pressurized CO2 questions...

its ok the parts that you should worry about most is the needle valve and the regulator...

a good dual stage regulator is good to have to prevent end of the tank dumps

and a good nv is good to keep your bubble rate consistant

the regulator you listed above is a single stage i believe

I have a sumo and I LOVE IT. Of course it's the only one I've ever had, so I have nothing to compare it to. But the guys who make it are great to deal with, will always answer any questions that ever pop into your head (quickly), and the peace of mind I get from knowing it's the cadillac of regulators, was worth the extra $ to me. Lots of people swear by the milwuakee and don't think it's worth the money for a sumo or equivalent. you're call. I'm a worry wart so the choice was easy for me

The linked regulator is an ok unit. I am currently using 2 of those and had several issues. The solenoid burned out after 2 years on both. There is no fine tuning with the needlevalve and it is heat sensitive. I paid $75 for the first and $85 for the send. I took the less expensive way out. Get a co2 drop checker and increase the bubble count very slowly over a week. Watch you fish for signs of stress. How are you planning on difusing the co2 into the water?

jimangie1973 said:

I'm thinking of biting the bullet and getting a pressurized CO2 system for my new planted 55 gallon. Is the regulator shown in the link below decent? Also, what do I need in addition to it, besides a tank and diffuser?

http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU.../milwaukeeinstrumentsco2regulatorwithsolenoid

Finally, what is this for?

http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU...l0/milwaukeeinstrumentssolenoiddiaphragmvalve


Thanks,
Jim

Click to expand...

dont over do it on the regulator, all you need is an azoo - reliable, cheap and easy to setup. Milwaukee is ok but difficult to setup. This is all you need to setup a complete co2 system, everything else like ph monitor, dropchecker etc..are not needed. Remember: that works the best is the simplest.

1) regulator http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3747+9895&pcatid=9895

2) canister: http://www.aquariumplants.com/Aluminum_CO2_Cylinders_Tanks_p/t.htm

2) a check valve (plastic $1 replace every 1 year, brass $10 but use forever) from any online aquarium store

3) co2 resistant tube: http://www.marinedepot.com/CO2_Proof_Tubing_%28per_ft%29_CO2_Tubing_for_Aquariums-CO2-CO1511-FICOTU-vi.html

4) a cool co2 diffuser: http://www.greenleafaquariums.com/co2-diffusers/diffuser-spiro-900.html (optional, if you dont care for the look just stick the co2 tube into the filter intake)

Once hook everything up, set the bubble rate to 1 bubble per 1 sec for a 55 gallon to start things up, let it run 24/7. At night if you have a very large fish load, you can buy a cheap $10 powerhead and put it by the surface, then turn it on for a few hours when the lights turn off.

Next stop, nutrient dosing?

Like everyone said here already "you get what you pay for"
The MA957 is a decent reg but the needle valve is a POS. I can dial it in but it's tricky and as soon as the psi goes below 6-700 the working pressure shoots up and I get like 15 BPS! Luckily I have a ph controller. Th sumo reg is great! The guy's are in the top of the field in knowledge and customer service. Alternatively Orlando over at GLA has nice quality regs and equipment.
Rexx Grig used to be around a lot but I think he may slowing down a little as of late because of health issuses.

http://sumoregulator.com/

http://www.greenleafaquariums.com/

http://www.bestaquariumregulator.com/CO2.html

you can get dual stage ss regulators on ebay for like 30 bucks... piece together the rest for around 40 putting you still cheaper than the rest of those regulators

also get a hagen elite mini for diffusion works amazingly for 10 dollars