CO2 regulators - feedback

[JMsAquarium]

Hi all,

I can seldom access the search engine, so my apologies if that has been asked before.

At our club, we are going to do a CA reactor building party and are looking at the CO2 regulators with solenoid valve listed below.

Milwaukee regulator

JBJ regulator


We would like to hear your feedback pros and cons. Any other brand that you have a satisfactory experience with, please mention it.

Thanks

 

[Zaphod]

Do you guys have plans drawn up for these?

 

[JMsAquarium]

We are discussing several designs at this time. We are targetting a reactor for an average tank/system of 200 gals with medium to heavy stock.

 

[JMsAquarium]

Hmmm... no feedback on this productcs

Does it means no one in RC uses them?:hmm2:

 

[kellymm7149]

i have not tryed the jbl but the milwaukee is garbage

 

[Zaphod]

I wish I was in your area I would love to stop in on that workshop.

 

[AZDesertRat]

I have had absolutely no problems with the Milwaukee A957 regulator I have had for about a year now. I have exchanged CO2 botttles and had no problems re adjusting it afterwards and it holds its bubblecount right on. Can't ask for more than that. I have had occasion to contact their customer support with questions on my SMS 122 controller and their response time and technical knowledge was top notch. They even followed up later to make sure I was satiisfied.
If you people are going to make statements like "its garbage" back it up with some data or experiences. People on this board are asking for help and statements like that do nothing for them. If you can't give specifics then you need to keep it to yourself as its not constructive.

 

[SeanT]

I love my JBJ.
It has never failed on me and I can not think of any cons.

If you are planning to buy one for the workshop, I would get it off of E bay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-JBJ-CO2-SOL...oryZ3212QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

$7 cheaper.

 

[Donw]

Ive had two milwaukee's both solenoid were the first to die on each. Neither would hold regulated pressure after about 3 months. The needle valves on both had alot to be desired, lacked fine adjustment ability. Both bubble counters leaked after a month or so.
Ive heard from friends that the genx is a good unit and will try that one next.

Don

 

[flowerseller]

I have a Blueline regular I got from Tropical Laggon in Silver Spring, MD. It has Dual guages, bubble counter and solenoid.
I like it and have not had problems with leaks or adjusting the needle valve once I got the tank # adustment set properly.

I did however read of leaks from all name brand units so I went ahead and taped EVERY possible joint before even testing.
No leaks, no problems.

 

[Lee Stearns]

The same company that sells the milwke has apperently heard the problems and fixed some of them witha slightly higher priced unit they are calling the Top gun.
"Our Top Gun regulators begin life as a MA957(milwakee), we add a new bubble counter that has a built in check valve. We also have added an O-ring to an area that has a tendancy to seep Co2, this makes that unit much more effecient. Each unit is calibrated for accuracy and tested for 1 hour to ensure NO factory defects. Each unit carries a full factory warranty authorized by Milwaukee Instruments. After thousands sold, we have had ZERO units fail.

We know for a fact that some regulators on the market are experiencing a failure rate of 1-2 units out of 10.

FEATURES:
-Dual guage (with tank volume & flow)
-Fully adjustable flow knob (0- 100psi)
-Solid brass needle valve (for precision adjustments)
-Electric "on/off" Solenoid
-Bubble counter
-Built in check valve
(If you have any questions about Co2 injection systems, don't hesitate to email or call. (6 month warranty)

Choose for yourself: We sell: Milwaukee and JBJ and this "TOP GUN" regulator.

NOTE: There has been much debate and confusion about regulators recently...The JBJ has as "built in check valve" but NO adjustable flow on the reg (other than the needle valve). The Milwaukee has an adjustable flow, but NO built in check valve".

JM- just thought I would add this note- I have not used either the JBJ or the milwalkee, and can not tell you whether having a check valve or the extra valve to control flow are worth it- for the extra 15 dollars though I am seriously considering the added feature. STanding by fo more feedback in this wider forum.

By the way for those of you drooling to get in on a calcium reactor building party, like that that is occurring at Washington Area Marine Aquarium Society WAMAS club- even those of us in the area are on a waiting list- they have legitimately restricted it to 12 members for logistical purposes- SO it is a popular event that many clubs could mimic.