| Skimmers/Equipment/Reactors Archive Threads about skimmers, auto top off, kalk and calcium reactors, etc. |
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08-14-2002, 01:00 PM
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#1
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Nothing to See Here
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 1,613
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Sources for CO2 tanks, valves cheap?
Hey all,
Wondering if anyone can recommend a cheap source for co2 tanks, and valves.
- Cheapest 10lb. tank i found online is $75 at monolithmarinemonsters.com
- Cheapest complete regulator w/ needle valve and solenoid i foundis was $145
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08-14-2002, 01:09 PM
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#2
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A goof
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Plymouth, MN USA
Posts: 2,923
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I would recomend going to a welding supply store for the tank itself. The other stuff is just expensive  . HTH
Jon
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08-14-2002, 02:12 PM
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#3
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ROOTS...ROCKS...REGGAE
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: south suburbs of Chicago,Il USA
Posts: 1,214
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Try a home brewing supply store. They are usually cheaper then aquarium related stores. I bought my tank, hoses and valves from one. Bob
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08-14-2002, 04:30 PM
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#4
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Nothing to See Here
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 1,613
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excellent!
thanks guys! i suspect a brewer's supply is easy to find in Portland! Do they have the same regulators
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08-14-2002, 06:58 PM
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#5
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Good boy
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Marietta, GA, USA
Posts: 7,889
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If I had it to do over again I would stay away from the MMM regulator/solenoid. Most of the time my solenoid won't re-open after being turned off. Also I'm having trouble getting a precise adjustment. I've read of others having trouble with the solenoid reliability also.
JM.02
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08-14-2002, 07:08 PM
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#6
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Nothing to See Here
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 1,613
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huh.....
i thought all the valves were industrial grade(produced by one source, or two) and were all the same. I ordered the complete regulator (regulator, needlevalve, solenoid) from marinedepot.
This was a purchase of convenience, and one of the few i did not research DIY options for. the complete regulator was $145.
Anyone know how much i could have saved by buying the regulator, needle valve, and solenoid seperately?
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08-14-2002, 07:25 PM
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#7
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Good boy
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Marietta, GA, USA
Posts: 7,889
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Since you've already ordered it then I wouldn't worry about it. The problems I've had are just a minor inconvenience. It still gets the job done.  Most of the regulators I've seen are about the same price. Premium Aquatics does sell a super precision needle valve but for $79 I'll just learn to live with my quirky one.
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08-14-2002, 11:40 PM
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#8
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Plankton
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 45
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Just My Opinion here but don't look for too cheap in this category. One thing you don't want is to have a cheap(made) component dump 10 lbs. of CO2 into your house  You might not live to regret it 
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08-15-2002, 03:50 AM
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#9
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Going Broke
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: OR
Posts: 1,594
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Piero,
CO2 tank - Check Air Gas in Hillsboro. My 20 lb filled initial purchased was $120 (some where in that neighborhood). The cost to fill is about $14. Filling a 5 lb vs. 10 lb. vs. 20 lb. is very little. I think it cost about $10 to fill a 5 lb tank. The cost is mainly due to the filling process, not the gas. Gas is cheap. Also check Hillsboro Brewer, they are on Main St. I believe their 5lb is about $50. Cheaper than Air Gas. Oh Air Gas sells welding equipment.
Regulator - Waves has a new German made for $99. Looks pretty decent. I recently bought another for $140 from Upscales. I went a little more because this one has a flow meter versus a output pressure valve.
Stay away from M3 regulator. That was my first one and it leaked like a faucet.
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Proud to be a "Reef Keeper" 
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08-15-2002, 10:35 AM
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#10
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Nothing to See Here
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 1,613
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awsome.
Thanks Jim!
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08-15-2002, 11:25 AM
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#11
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Going Broke
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: OR
Posts: 1,594
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beer co2 regulator will not work for our application without modification to the outlet. the beer regulator outlet uses a 1/2" hose. We use any where from .17 to .25 inch. Plus most beer regulators don't have a solenoid attach to them. By the time you modify one, you might as well buy a reef one. I looked into this possibility as well for the prop setup.
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08-15-2002, 11:56 AM
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#12
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Plankton
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 32
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How about this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=47259
$29.99, CO2/Argon regulator.
I hear you have to change the adapter (available at the welding store for $5) to make this fit a CO2 tank.
Zeph |
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