Alternative to Azoo Regulator?

Q

Quartermain

From the deepest darkest abyss
Jan 10, 2005
378
0
16
I am considering doing pressurized CO2 for the first time and need a viable alternative to the Azoo regulator.

After much reading I came to the conclusion that the Azoo regulator (with built-in solenoid and needle valve) was going to be my best option due to its relatively low cost and high quality. However when I went to look for one they were no where to be found. Nobody seems sells this regulator any more.

The only other all-in-one that i can find is the Milwaukee regulator. But I have read too many stories about how difficult it can be to dial-in the output pressure and needle valve to keep the bubble rate steady. If I chose the Milwaukee regulator then I would also have to buy a pH controller, which I do not want to do.

DIY is "set it and forget it" and this is what I want from the pressurized CO2 solution I ultimately buy. The Azoo regulator made that promise.. the Milwaukee does not. But as mentioned the Azoo is no where to be found. Does anyone know of a third option? With or without the solenoid (provided the needle valve closes completely)?
 
I run a red sea paintball system, and hold steady CO2 levels for weeks at a time. No bubble counter, no solenoid, and a DIY inline diffuser (to the outlet of my Magnum 350). In the end it cost me $130 for the regulator, needle valve, wood airstone, some PVC, and CO2 tubing, and lava rocks for inside my diffuser. I estimate my 20oz tank to last about 4-5 months running my 55 gallon at about 25ppm. Red Sea also sells a regulator for standard CO2 tanks, and I would imagine it is just as user-friendly. Big Al's and thatpetplace.com both have them.
 
I remember a post in the CO2 sticky about the Red Sea paintball regulator.. maybe that was you. I like the simplicity of the Red Sea regulator but shy'd away from it as replacement cylinders are expensive (approx. $30 every four months versus $20 every year). I didn't know they also had a regulator that fit the standard refillable bottles too. I will definitely check that out.

Do you not run a bubble counter?
 
No, keeping a reading at a completely steady ppm (like, to the millionth) is a waste of effort to me, so I set it at a rate that seems appropriate, and test an hour later. They sell a whole system w/ bubble counter, but I honestly feel that all the bells and whistles are a waste of time and money. I keep a steady rate, day and night. I get charged $5 a fill for my bottle at the local paintball field, $7.88 at Wal-Mart for a tank-swap. I spend an extra few bucks a year for a system that is small enough to conceal, and is immune to the issues of tipping that standard cylinders have (paintball bottles have a "tip-tube" in them to allow them to exhaust gaseous CO2 when held at any angle). I haven't had any problems dialing in a set rate, albeit with a bit of trial and error in the beginning.
 
Goatman said:
No, keeping a reading at a completely steady ppm (like, to the millionth) is a waste of effort to me, so I set it at a rate that seems appropriate, and test an hour later. They sell a whole system w/ bubble counter, but I honestly feel that all the bells and whistles are a waste of time and money. I keep a steady rate, day and night. I get charged $5 a fill for my bottle at the local paintball field, $7.88 at Wal-Mart for a tank-swap. I spend an extra few bucks a year for a system that is small enough to conceal, and is immune to the issues of tipping that standard cylinders have (paintball bottles have a "tip-tube" in them to allow them to exhaust gaseous CO2 when held at any angle). I haven't had any problems dialing in a set rate, albeit with a bit of trial and error in the beginning.
Click to expand...

Somehow I had gotten the impression you needed to replace the whole bottle.. but perhaps that's just for the smaller bottels? If they are refillable/swappable that is certainly just as economical as the large bottle, if not more so.

Despite all my reading I still have a lot more to learn. I sincerely appreciate the information. Now I just have to make a decision.
 
Last edited:
You're welcome. I'm thinking about buying one. My Milwaukee didn't work right from the start. A rep. from Milwaukee explained that it could be the needle valve, so he sent me a new one. As soon as I'm able to unscrew the **** thing, I'll try it again with the new valve and see what happens.

Hopefully, I won't have to buy a new one, but if I do, it'll be an Azoo.


Lissette

Hmm...Maybe I should have said "Dang thing" instead.
 
There are "disposable" 9 oz. paintball bottles, but they are still refillable. They're just so cheap that it's amost not worth the effort for just 9 oz. Items like BB and pellet pistols use a 9 gram disposable cartridge that cannot be refilled.
 
i am still debating whether to get a normal pressurized setup or one of those for my 50G: http://www.adgshop.com/System_74_YA_ver_2_p/101-002.htm

1) adg system
- cost $90 + $10 per bottle of co2 (lasts 2 months at 1bubble/sec)
- can be setup in seconds, very easy
- uses some special co2 that has nice natural smells
- MADE BY ADA, which means top quality

2) regular pressurized co2
- cost $80 (regulator) + $60 (alum co2 tank)


So basically adg will last you 1+ year or so at the same cost as a normal setup, after that you pay $10 per bottle of co2 every 1-2 months. What you get is a extremely well crafted set-and-forget system and nice natural smells in your tank. And small footprints if space is an issue.

as you can see i am currently leaning towards option 1)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom