How to build a CO2 regulator for your calcium reactor.

900?

900?

alanle said:
Parker IR6000 system details:

Regulator: SS Parker IR6000 ($900 retail)
Solenoid: SS Burkert 6011
Metering Valve: Swagelok S series with Kalrez O-ring (angled version)
Pressure Gauges: SS liquid filled Wika (German made - super precise)
Fittings: SS Swagelok (10,000 PSI rating. Will never leak!!!)

Screen%20Shot%202015-07-28%20at%203.48.17%20PM.png
Click to expand...

Is that what you paid for it?:crazy1:
 
^^^ You look for parts on surplus sites and ebay. Sometimes you can assemble these for 1/3 of the price.

It's like another hobby and can get quiet addicting just like reef tanks.
 
^^^^ Yeah I wish it was that easy It can be very overwhelming trying to figure out whats what. I have looked at ebay but haven't found anything I guess, I am worried that I will buy the wrong thing or pay too much. I only need a few more items for my 40 breeder build, and the reg. is one of them.
 
^^^ before you buy post here to confirm its the right part. I bought all the parts Alanle listed in 10 minutes. Didn't even had to think he made my life so easy.


Go back three pages he listed exactly the parts you need. Search them on ebay and you will find them.
 
in the dark.

CGA320 nipple and nut - $11.49
191599413687

1/4 male npt hex nipple - $4.45
151702965933

1/4 female x 1/8 male elbow - $14.24
400628585893

1/4 tube x 1/8 male elbow - $6
271331098467

SMC VDW31 series solenoid $45
I have one extra.

24vdc Power adapter for the solenoid - $5
181350892506


Swagelok M series with vernier handle needle valve - $39.60 or best offer
201379746031

Brand new dual stage Concoa 412. The seller will accept $75 offer. He has 3 available - $84.95
171842113895
 
Well, 7 months later, thanks to Alan and others here, I finally finished my build and got her dialed in. :)
Very high quality unit and easy to adjust. The needle valve is still more sensitive than I would like but I found that i can just get it close and then adjust the the low pressure for fine tuning.
I sold the Aquarium Plants Carbon Doser I was using before this.

Parker Verfilow Reg, Hoke 1300 Series needle valve, SS Burkett, all SS fittings...

i-tGfND8R.jpg


i-h7L4JGM.jpg


i-n8jbB8f.jpg



And here's the whole setup, including the Cole-Parmer pump...

i-SqDpmG2.jpg
 
Nice setup Dennis. I'm surprised you use a monitor and not a controller though. I'm big on redundancy. ;) That being said, how do you like your Pinpoint?
 
ct_vol said:
Nice setup Dennis. I'm surprised you use a monitor and not a controller though. I'm big on redundancy. ;) That being said, how do you like your Pinpoint?
Click to expand...

It's crappy but it gets the job done.
Someday I'll get it hooked up to my profilux but I need to buy an additional ph probe port. :)
It's always been so stable for me, I just haven't really seen the need to run it on a controller.
 
d2mini said:
It's crappy but it gets the job done.
Someday I'll get it hooked up to my profilux but I need to buy an additional ph probe port. :)
It's always been so stable for me, I just haven't really seen the need to run it on a controller.
Click to expand...

What do you have your solenoid hooked up to or is it just open? I have mine connected to my Reef Keeper, but the metering valve/ bubble count is set so that the solenoid pretty much stays open 24/7.
 
ct_vol said:
What do you have your solenoid hooked up to or is it just open? I have mine connected to my Reef Keeper, but the metering valve/ bubble count is set so that the solenoid pretty much stays open 24/7.
Click to expand...

Yep it's just open with a steady bubble count.
 
Thanks so much for starting and maintaining this thread! I was worried about all the bad reviews I was seeing on regulators when I started shopping for my CA reactor setup.

I tried to get everything on the list a few pages back. I'm trying to figure out what I need to hook the needle valve up to the solenoid. (Looks like a piece of brass tube?) the connection from the needle valve to the bubble counter (1/8" NPT?) and now that I'm taking the bubble counter apart for the first time, is the co2 tube supposed to connect directly to this? (It's got a weird nipple looking thing with an o ring.)

Including a picture of what I've got so far.

6e0f692fbe1134cbb0e24af376bc434a.jpg


Burkert 6011 A Solenoid Valve 1/8 NPT 4W Stainless Steel Body ( 331621597813 )

ISTA Professional Quality Aquarium CO2 Bubble Counter with Check Valve
( 261965422530 )

Swagelok B-400-2-2 1/4x1/8" 90 Degree Male Elbow Brass
( 271331098467 )

SS-4MA-MH Swagelok Metering Valve Stainless 1/4" 0.03cV Micrometer Top
( 201390339645 )

CGA-320 CO2 Carbon Dioxide high gas pressure bottle fitting x 1/4MNPT,CGA-320set
( 191599413687 )

Swagelok Brass Reducing Street Elbow 1/4 Female NPT x 1/8 Male NPT B-4-RSE-2
( 400628585893 )

Brass Pipe Fitting Hex Nipple 1/4 x 1/4 NPT Male Pipe.Both sides.Anderson Metals
( 111711997497 )

CONCOA REGULATOR, 412-330-1000, 1/4" FNPT, Dual Stage Brass Barstock Body
( 171855231731 )
 
I don't have a bubble counter so I don't know. But it looks like you will need a 1/8 ss tube for that side.

A good hardware store will help you. It's nothing major just a simple stainless steel tube.
 
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