C02 - Fire Extinguisher style

[finz]

OK, big C02 (gas delivered) system turn off for me was considering a large industrial sized tank in the house.

Also, the paintball sized canisters seem too small.

Then I read about Fire Extinguisher sizd canisters and for me that seems a sweet spot.

Advise, concerns, feasibility, links, diagrams?

thx

 

[A. Nonymous]

I've got a 10 lb tank that's commonly used for welding. (I think.) I just got it re-filled for $12.50 and it lasts about 6-9 mos in a 75g tank.

 

[finz]

oh now that's pretty sweet!

How do I go about making a system happen?

 

[jmhart]

What you need/want for a co2 system:


Regulator: Milwaukee w/solenoid, needle valve, bubble counter....on ebay for $90/shipped
CO2 Cylinder: Get the biggest you can fit under your stand. This could be a 5#, a 10#, or if you're lucky a 20#. You can buy these locally or online, somtimes empty, sometimes full....anywhere from $65 to $100.

Plug it into some kind of diffuser and you are on your way.


Check out www.rexgrigg.com for more.

 

[finz]

thx.
I've checked REX's stuff out before (and again now) and it looks pretty expensive.... $213 shipped for Rex's Best Darn Aquarium Regulator with Ideal Valve, solenoid, two check valves, 5' tubing, and bubble counter.

Assume I bie the bullet and pick that up... there are a lot of other parts on his page:

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

What else would I need (from his parts list), besides the diffuser you already mentioned? The assumption is that I'd want to do it right.

 

[jmhart]

So, I wasn't really suggesting Rex's regulator, I was wanting you to find/read this:

http://www.rexgrigg.com/regset.html

That explains to you what you need and a how to set up a pressurized system.

To sum up, you need:

Cylinder
Regulator
Solenoid(not required, but preferred)
Needle Valve
Bubble Counter(not required, but preferred)
Check Valve
Diffuser
Tubing

Rex Grigg offers all that stuff, but you can get most(if not all) of it cheaper elsewhere. For economy, I recommend the Milwuakee regulator because it is an all in one unit: regulator, solenoid, bubble counter, needle valve. All you need after that is tubing, a check valve, and an airstone(at the minimum for a diffuser).

An empty co2 cylinder can be purchase online, but you can likely find one locally for cheaper and/or filled.

For tubing you can just use regular airline tubing, you can get a cheap plastic inline check valve for $1-2, and an airstone for $1-2.

You now have a very basic co2 setup.

 

[finz]

Assuming I want trouble-free rather than cheap (I understand Milwuakee regulators generate a lot of complaint), what makes sense to move beyond basic?

Also, I don't want a tank in the living room that will make the room look like a welding shot so am wondering where online one can pick up a tank that perhaps is not so displeasing to the eye - will still look around locally too.

 

[jmhart]

I have a Milwaukee and have no complaints. Any regulator you buy for under $300 is going to be about the same. To get anything better, you'll have to not use a regulator geared towards aquariums.

Also, a 5# cylinder should fit in most stands. Do a google search, you can find the dimensions online for a 5# and 10# and see if they'll fit in your hood.

 

[leocom2000]

I have used mine Milwaukee for three years now. IT is stable as a rock nock-nock on wood.

 

[finz]

I have a Milwaukee and have no complaints. Any regulator you buy for under $300 is going to be about the same.

"Rex's Best Darn Aquarium Regulator with Ideal Valve, solenoid, two check valves, 5' tubing, and bubble counter. $213 shipped in the US."

@ around 66% of $300, is Rex's "Best Darn Aquarium Regulator" about the same as a Milwaukee you'd buy "on ebay for $90/shipped" (minus the stuff Rex includes that the Ebay deal doesn't) ?