Again, thanks so much for the information. Just to let you know I've finally made my decision. A little background first...
Primarily I wanted a simple 24/7 pressurized CO2 system (similar to DIY) that I could set and forget. That meant a high quality regulator and needle valve, regardless of the cost. I knew I wasn't going to get away with a cheap $30 regulator as some have done. This requisite led inexorably to two choices: Red Sea or Azoo. These two brand name regulators stood out in both professional reviews and user comments as being the easiest to use and the most reliable. Either regulator would do the job, but which to choose?
Ultimately I decided to go with the Red Sea Paintball Regulator. I made my decision based on initial cost and convenience
At $99 the Red Sea regulator is more expensive than the Azoo ($71). In fairness the Azoo includes a solenoid, adding to its value, but it is a feature that I would never use. However despite the difference in cost the cylinders these two regulators use tips the balance in favor of the Red Sea brand. The Red Sea uses a 20 oz. Paintball cylinder that costs about $30 ($27 online). The Azoo on the other hand is a standard regulator that uses standard cylinders, the smallest of which is 5 lbs. A 5 lbs. cylinder will last almost a year but costs anywhere between $50 - $80, and there's no guarantee a local welding shop will even have one which means you may be forced into a larger more expensive tank. This puts the initial (startup) cost for the Red Sea regulator at a distinct advantage over the Azoo.
I also weighed the convenience of getting my bottle refilled at Wal-Mart (which there are two within three miles of me) versus locating a used CO2 cylinder, locating food-grade CO2 for refills, and not knowing where those sources might be in relation to me. They might be down the block, they might be in the next town, and I really don't want to have to search. Frankly I'm just more comfortable knowing that there's a retail location where I can buy CO2 like I buy milk... in fact I might pick up some milk while I'm there. That's a huge plus in my book
So that's what it boiled down to for me; Cost, comfort and convenience. I guess you could call it the "three C's".. "four C's" if you include CO2. The few extra bucks that I'll pay for refilling the smaller cylinder is likely not going to exceed the amount of money I spend on mints at the checkout aisle each year. And the 20 oz. bottle will last long enough for it not to be a hassle or an inconvenience.
Primarily I wanted a simple 24/7 pressurized CO2 system (similar to DIY) that I could set and forget. That meant a high quality regulator and needle valve, regardless of the cost. I knew I wasn't going to get away with a cheap $30 regulator as some have done. This requisite led inexorably to two choices: Red Sea or Azoo. These two brand name regulators stood out in both professional reviews and user comments as being the easiest to use and the most reliable. Either regulator would do the job, but which to choose?
Ultimately I decided to go with the Red Sea Paintball Regulator. I made my decision based on initial cost and convenience
At $99 the Red Sea regulator is more expensive than the Azoo ($71). In fairness the Azoo includes a solenoid, adding to its value, but it is a feature that I would never use. However despite the difference in cost the cylinders these two regulators use tips the balance in favor of the Red Sea brand. The Red Sea uses a 20 oz. Paintball cylinder that costs about $30 ($27 online). The Azoo on the other hand is a standard regulator that uses standard cylinders, the smallest of which is 5 lbs. A 5 lbs. cylinder will last almost a year but costs anywhere between $50 - $80, and there's no guarantee a local welding shop will even have one which means you may be forced into a larger more expensive tank. This puts the initial (startup) cost for the Red Sea regulator at a distinct advantage over the Azoo.
I also weighed the convenience of getting my bottle refilled at Wal-Mart (which there are two within three miles of me) versus locating a used CO2 cylinder, locating food-grade CO2 for refills, and not knowing where those sources might be in relation to me. They might be down the block, they might be in the next town, and I really don't want to have to search. Frankly I'm just more comfortable knowing that there's a retail location where I can buy CO2 like I buy milk... in fact I might pick up some milk while I'm there. That's a huge plus in my book
So that's what it boiled down to for me; Cost, comfort and convenience. I guess you could call it the "three C's".. "four C's" if you include CO2. The few extra bucks that I'll pay for refilling the smaller cylinder is likely not going to exceed the amount of money I spend on mints at the checkout aisle each year. And the 20 oz. bottle will last long enough for it not to be a hassle or an inconvenience.
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