How to build a CO2 regulator for your calcium reactor.

[dadummy]

Burkert 6011A solenoids, made a best offer for 45.25 and it was accepted. Total comes to 50 shipped. There is 5 available

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Burkert-601...-Steel-Body-/331621597813?hash=item4d36300275

 

[alanle]

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.

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 )

You will need a 1/4 OD tube. I prefer stainless steel tube because it's stronger than brass and can hold the needle valve in place. To mount the Swagelok needle valve to the 90 degree elbow, you will need to replace the brass ferrules in the elbow to stainless steel ferrules and a 1/4 SS port connector. The reason we use SS ferrules because it will securely seal up the connection on the SS tube to prevent leakage. Brass ferrules are too weak for ss tube.

1/4 ferrules:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ferrules-Sw...l-set-of-10-/281770497140?hash=item419ad49474

1/4 port connector:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Parker-1-4-...Steel-Union-/321816922114?hash=item4aedc88802

To mount that bubble counter you will need this part:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Swagelok-SS...869?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1a0335d74d

btw, if you have extra ferrules left, I'll buy it off from you.

Cheers,
Alan

 

[Jlentz]

Thank you Alan!

 

[africangrey]

Been looking for ss CGA320 nut and nipple, all I found so far on ebay are the brass ones, if you guys can direct me where to get a used one I'd appreciate it, a brand new @ Proxiair sells for $70.

 

[africangrey]

Is this any good, not sure if the highlighted nut and adapter can be taken off, and screw to the outlet side for the CO2 tubing.
Swagelok Fine Metering Valve for 1/4" Tube w/ 1/4" Hose Connector [SS-4MG], the selling has 9 of these used for $45.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Swagelok-Fi...ctor-SS-4MG-/161360100903?hash=item2591cfbe27

 

[alanle]

Is this any good, not sure if the highlighted nut and adapter can be taken off, and screw to the outlet side for the CO2 tubing.
Swagelok Fine Metering Valve for 1/4" Tube w/ 1/4" Hose Connector [SS-4MG], the selling has 9 of these used for $45.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Swagelok-Fi...ctor-SS-4MG-/161360100903?hash=item2591cfbe27

You can move the barbed fitting to the outlet of the needle valve and attach the tubing from there then add a swagelok 1/4 nut and ferrules in between the inlet side and 1/4 elbow (from solenoid).

1/4 nut and ferrules:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Swagelok-1-...s-SS-401-PC-/161314423943?hash=item258f16c487

1/4 tube OD x 1/8 mnpt
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hoke-1-4-Tu...s-Steel-ELL-/221836803656?hash=item33a680fe48

Something like this

 

[ssdawood]

For that price I think you can get a regular swagelok metering valve. I paid 49 for mine shipped.

 

[ssdawood]

So Alanle you thing I used the brass ferrules to connect the two will it not hold the metering valve fine.

Should I change the setup to ss ferrules and port connector. I have leak tested it yet but if feels pretty solid.

So that ss tube that you have me instead of that I use the ss port connector ?

 

[africangrey]

Thanks Alan for all your help.

 

[africangrey]

For that price I think you can get a regular swagelok metering valve. I paid 49 for mine shipped.

Can you shed more light on this, can't seem to find a matching ss metering valve on ebay, there are so many variation to this thing.

 

[alanle]

So Alanle you thing I used the brass ferrules to connect the two will it not hold the metering valve fine.

Should I change the setup to ss ferrules and port connector. I have leak tested it yet but if feels pretty solid.

So that ss tube that you have me instead of that I use the ss port connector ?

It will hold the post body but might have a leak. If you are using a ss tube, then you must use ss ferrules. Don't mix ss tube and brass ferrules. You will have a leak for sure.

This comes with ss tube inside.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Swagelok-1-...s-SS-401-PC-/161314423943?hash=item258f16c487

 

[alanle]

How to build a CO2 regulator for your calcium reactor.

Can you shed more light on this, can't seem to find a matching ss metering valve on ebay, there are so many variation to this thing.

The Idea valve also works really good for CO2 diffusion. You have to call them up and place an order. It's a family business.



http://www.idealvalve.com/52-series-forged-brass-needle-valves.html



You want to use the model 52-1-12

 

[ssdawood]

Alanle so I can get only the ss ferrule and be fine. I also need another ss tube as this one will be distorted from all the tightening.

Also how do I connect the co2 to the needle valve. The co2 tube I have won't even pass thru the nut.

Or can I get the things u posted above.

 

[africangrey]

got this today, but the outlet is 1/2" instead, should I get a 1/2" x 1/4" hex reducer nipple before the 1/4"x1/8" elbow for the burkert solenoid. Do you think I got the wrong gauge since specification on the Matheson's website indicates the port size is 1/4" https://www.mathesongas.com/pdfs/pr...age-High-Purity-Stainless-Steel-Regulator.pdf

http://www.grainger.com/product/PARKER-Hex-Nipple-1DGA2







The outlet fitting is super hard to take off, any suggestion without breaking the gauge.

 

[alanle]

Alanle so I can get only the ss ferrule and be fine. I also need another ss tube as this one will be distorted from all the tightening.

Also how do I connect the co2 to the needle valve. The co2 tube I have won't even pass thru the nut.

Or can I get the things u posted above.

Just this one. It comes with tube and nuts. Everything is ready.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Swagelok-1-...s-SS-401-PC-/161314423943?hash=item258f16c487

You need to get 1/4 OD tubing to fit that needle valve.

 

[ssdawood]

Thanks I got that. So I can screw that ss nut on the brass fitting with no problem ?

Also any clear tube with 4mm od will work. I just need a little bit the rset are all john guest fittings.

 

[alanle]

Thanks I got that. So I can screw that ss nut on the brass fitting with no problem ?

Also any clear tube with 4mm od will work. I just need a little bit the rset are all john guest fittings.

Yes and yes

 

[ssdawood]

The ro tube slid right in. Will that work

 

[alanle]

How to build a CO2 regulator for your calcium reactor.

The ro tube slid right in. Will that work

Insert it through the ferrules make sure the tip of the tube touches the bottom of the nut then tighten it. The ferrules will lock in and secure the tube.

 

[ssdawood]

All in all I spent 250 to assemble it. Wasn't as cheap as I thought it would be especially for a brass one.

If only I was patient I could have bought all ss for that price.