CO2 bottle refill

[s10willy]

My CO2 bottle just ran out tonight. I thought it was getting low with the pressure dropping the last couple of days. Now, no pressure left.

Where is the best place to get a 20-lb CO2 bottle refilled in Jax?

[marineduud]

I get mine filled a Tri-Tech Welding Supply on Phillips & University.

[marineduud]

There # is 739-9353

[ScubaTC]

Strate welding off of McDuff Ave near Stockton also fills. Not sure which side of town you're on.

[s10willy]

I'm near Mayport, but I drive out to NAS Jax daily.

[MikeAtJax]

Same as Robert.

[s10willy]

Thanks, guys! I went by Tri-Tech today and got the bottle swapped out. My hydro date was out....by a couple of years. But the swap was quick and easy. Ended up $23.78 out the door. I am thinking this should last me another 24 months, which reminds me how much I prefer my calcium reactor over dosing 2-part solutions.

[Cades]

Welcome home!!

Bio John

[shepbird07]

Does anyone know if you can rent the co2 bottles or do you need to buy them? Also the gauges for the co2 tanks can they be purchased from a place that sell equipment at the co2 place? IF so what brand is good to go with either local or internet?


Thanks,
Shepbird07

[s10willy]

Originally Posted by Cades

Welcome home!!

Bio John

Thanks, John! Glad to be back. Tried stopping by to see you, but you were out. I'll get back by there soon, maybe this weekend.

Originally Posted by shepbird07

Does anyone know if you can rent the co2 bottles or do you need to buy them? Also the gauges for the co2 tanks can they be purchased from a place that sell equipment at the co2 place? IF so what brand is good to go with either local or internet?


Thanks,
Shepbird07

Not sure about the rental idea. I would try calling one of the welding supply stores listed here. I am just not sure if it is worth the money to rent, though. I also wonder if a regulator for welding would give you the fine control you would need for an aquarium setup. I don't know if any LFS is carrying the regulators now, but you can get a 10lb bottle and regulator shipped to the house for about $200. Big up-front expense, but cheaper than buying 2-part over time.

Do you aready have a calcium reactor?

[shepbird07]

Yes I have a calcium reactor already. I Was trying to get some information on what works well. I know years ago when I had my first regulator setup with tank it was nothing but problems. I later had to go with a different regulator setup. But its been so Long I forgot the brand name I used. What regulator do you use? I don't want to go and get my readings out of range with all the sps that I have in the tank now.
Got any advice on seting it up? Like what would be the lowest setting that I could get away with? I have a KR2 reactor ITs work well in the past for me. Been many years.Almost 4 I would say.

[s10willy]

I'm not familiar with the KR2 specifically. Robert (marineduud) was very helpful when I set mine up.

I have a 6x18 model from Aquatic Systems Design, which is pretty much the same as a GEO. I keep my pH in the Reactor at about 7.00 running ARM media.

As for the regulator, I went with a Reef Fanatic model. At the time I was looking for a regulator (about 18 months ago), many people were reporting problems with the Milwaukee regulators. The Reef Fanatic is a little more expensive. I think I paid about $135 vs. $100 for Milwaukee, but it has been trouble-free in 18 months. I also remember hearing good things about the Gen-X model, but it wasn't readily available when I needed it.

[ScubaTC]

Originally Posted by shepbird07

I later had to go with a different regulator setup. But its been so Long I forgot the brand name I used.

Tiren?

[ScubaTC]

s10willy - you are correct about Milwaukee regs having problems.

A few months into running a new one, my bubble flow began to stop throughout the day, everyday. I had to constantly adjust the needle wheel valve to get it going again. After several hours passed it would stop again and I would repeat adjustments.

I called one of the LFS to try and find a replacement needle wheel valve to see if this was the problem. The LFS said good luck finding one locally because they are not normal stocked items. After explaining the problem the LFS said the reason they are not stocked is because needle wheel valves never go bad and that something else is causing the problem.

I contacted the manufacture, but did not want to send the reg set in and be without CA for an undetermined amount of time.

I took it apart to see if it was clogged and cleaned it. This appeared to help a little, but within a day or so it went right back to having the same problem. After letting this go on for far too long and getting very frustrated with it I finally decided to not accept was I was told about needle wheels never going bad and I bought a new one online. After replacing it the Milwaukee reg has worked great!