CO2 regulators

[Darkfrog]

Okay, I need to get a new regulator. All I see by fish dealers are the hyper-expensive dual guage regulators. Since my needle valve and solenoid are working okay, anyone see a problem with an inexpensive beer/soda or welding regulator?

As an aside, why are the dual gauge so popular? You don't need the tank pressure gauge because in the tank, CO2 forms liquid and pressure stays constant until the tank is nearly empty.

[cyberchef]

Originally posted by Darkfrog
Okay, I need to get a new regulator. All I see by fish dealers are the hyper-expensive dual guage regulators. Since my needle valve and solenoid are working okay, anyone see a problem with an inexpensive beer/soda or welding regulator?

As an aside, why are the dual gauge so popular? You don't need the tank pressure gauge because in the tank, CO2 forms liquid and pressure stays constant until the tank is nearly empty.

I don't know about the "inexpensive beer/soda or welding regulator", but the dual gauges are popular so that you can tell when the tank is almost empty and it's time to get it refilled.

[Darkfrog]

I guess that my point is that the guage that tells you your tank is empty doesn't show that until the tank is empty. For example; at room temperature a full tank shows 720psi, a half-full tank shows 720psi, and a quarter-full tank shows 720 psi! The best way to know how much CO2 is in your tank is to weigh it. The tank's empty weight is stamped into the neck after the letters "TW" (tare weight.) For example; if you have a 5-pound CO2 tank with at TW of 7.7 pounds, and the tank weights 9.7 pounds, it has 2 pounds of CO2 in it, so it's two-fifths full.

[Geoff]

Originally posted by Darkfrog
I guess that my point is that the guage that tells you your tank is empty doesn't show that until the tank is empty. For example; at room temperature a full tank shows 720psi, a half-full tank shows 720psi, and a quarter-full tank shows 720 psi! The best way to know how much CO2 is in your tank is to weigh it. The tank's empty weight is stamped into the neck after the letters "TW" (tare weight.) For example; if you have a 5-pound CO2 tank with at TW of 7.7 pounds, and the tank weights 9.7 pounds, it has 2 pounds of CO2 in it, so it's two-fifths full.

thanks, i have been wondering that for years, and nobody i knew could give me an answer. it is always amazing how you learn things all the time in the wierdest places.

G~

[RWD]

I use a dual gauge reg from a beer suply store. It looks like a welding setup. I don't see any problems with using it. Bob

[Rick O]

Originally posted by Darkfrog
I guess that my point is that the guage that tells you your tank is empty doesn't show that until the tank is empty.

Depending on how much CO2 you use you should get a few days notice before the tank is empty.

[dattack]

I am planning to buy a dual regulator too. Seems like the cheapest I have encountered on the internet was $80 at transfishsupplies.