CO2 Regulator recommendation

[kj5432]

I am about to invest in a calcium reactor. Does anyone have any recommendations on which CO2 regulator to buy? Which ones are good and which ones are bad?

 

[vidrine7322]

im following this one

 

[rleechb]

JBJ or GEN-X. I've had a pair of milwaukees crap out on me; I really don't like them. A friend of mine has had one stop working on him as well.

 

[racermike27]

I use a reef fanatic. It is real simple and well constucted.

 

[racermike27]

Forgot to add that this unit also has the solenoid for pH controller.

 

[tacocat]

I have a JBJ. I've had no complaints.
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps/ps_ViewItem~idproduct~JB2111.html

If I were buying a new one, I'd get this one.
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps/ps_ViewItem~idproduct~CO3117.html

Many reefers I respect use this one and have had no complaints. They have had other brands fail on them. They refer to it as the 3M or M3 regulator.

 

[TheUndertaker]

I just ordered a complete tunze system not sure how im going to like it cant find anyone who has used one

 

[coqui1pr]

I bought an M3 co2 regulator from marine depot it has been rock solid for 7 months now with only minimal adjusting after weeks of use very good so far here is the link to it.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~CO3111.html

Nestor

 

[carpus]

I have the JBJ regulator and bubble counter. No complaints either. running like a charm

 

[Yinger]

as rleechb said, my milwaukee crapped out on me in 4 months, I know another person with the same problem. i just replaced it with a jbj and its much easier to use. the milwaukee never held a consistent bubble count. The JBJ was able to solve that problem as soon as i turned it on.

 

[Dansin]

I haven't had a problem with my milwaukee yet i have had it running for 5 months today. Never had a problem with the bubble count. It was always right on after i got it set right it has be stable for.

 

[old salty]

I use this one on my planted tank. Three year warranty closed the deal for me.

http://www.aquariumplants.com/AQUARIUMPLANTS_com_s_Co2_Regulator_The_BEST_p/co2-1.htm

 

[Emster]

I would get the one oldsalty linked to. I have a m3 and when the power goes out sometime it doesn't turn the co2 back on.

 

[kj5432]

How many bubbles per minute does the regulator on aquariumplants.com go down to?

 

[nwrogers]

I use a M3 regulator

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9346034#post9346034 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by old salty
I use this one on my planted tank. Three year warranty closed the deal for me.

http://www.aquariumplants.com/AQUARIUMPLANTS_com_s_Co2_Regulator_The_BEST_p/co2-1.htm

Old Salty, how stable is the bubble rate maintained and how low can you go with this one?
On of the major issues I see with most of our regulators in the hobby is the fact that most seem to be single stage industrial regulators mostly designed to operate optimally at a range of 40 to 80 psi. Trying to make them operate reliably at a range of 15 psi delivery is almost ridiculous so the bubble rate is difficult to maintain and we try fixing it with more expensive needle valve. This has had me looking for dual stage low delivery pressure regulators like the ones used to maintain controlled atmospheres in biological chambers.

The regulator you posted, although seems constructed for single stage the size of the diaphragm makes me think that it is more responsive and sensitive at low delivery pressures supported by the fact that the delivery gauge range is for 15 psi
I also like the needle valve although it seems that the mounting of the bubble counter can be easily damaged. Have you had any leaks or damage between the bubble counter and the needle valve.

Will you let us know of your experience?

 

[old salty]

I have had that regulator for quite some time now. At one time, it was pulling double duty of providing CO2 to my planted tank and my calcium reactor (both of which required different levels of CO2) and it has never skipped a beat.

Once I set the bubble rate, it stays the same until the entire bottle of CO2 is empty (I have a 20lb bottle.) I operate it at 10psi and this too, does not fluctuate. I run the solenoid on the same timer as my lighting, so it doesn't inject CO2 when the lights go out. Again, the 3 year warranty (as compared to 6 months with some others) gives me some peace of mind; if it should fail, I still have about 2 more years to return it. Worth every penny I spent.

 

[jdieck]

Thanks for the info salty.

 

[old salty]

Your welcome! Best of luck with whatever choice you make.

 

[raddogz]

I use the JBJ regulator w/solenoid.