How to build a CO2 regulator for your calcium reactor.

CO2 tank should be coming soon. :D

I was fortunate as the gauges came off fairly easily with regular wrenches. The 580 nipple and output valve fitting I got off with some really long handle channel lock pliers. It took a bit of muscle with a buddy holding it down, but the channel locks gave me some really good leverage it get those fittings off.

As far as putting it together. I just followed Alanle's advice and tightened everything down with regular wrenches, making sure not to over tighten. Again, no vice needed.
 
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Can anyone help me to find a dual stage regulator for a planted tank? I heard from different forum that AlanLe has built the best one. Thanks.

Alex
 
How to build a CO2 regulator for your calcium reactor.

Why not contact Alan? He built mine and it's great.
 
Are you looking to build your own following the guidelines of this thread or are you looking to buy a ready made one? If the former, I have a spare BNIB Airgas Y12-215D580 that's ready to be DIY'd along with some extra Swagelok fittings that I'm not using.

http://www.airgas.com/p/Y12215D580-AG

If the latter, shoot Alanle a PM. He'll be happy to build you a custom killer rig.
 
I'm trying to contact AlanLe to build me "a custom killer rig", but I can't since I'm a newbie. Can anyone hep me to ping him to contact me? Thanks.
 
I need help. My metering valve does not fit to the bubble counter or any other npt threads. The swagelok website says my metering valve is 1/8" but the threads seem to be 1/16." SO, I bought a 1/8" to 1/16" NPT adapter, but the threads are not the same pitch. Anyone have any good advise on what part to order? In the bottom picture I have a 1/8 to 1/16 NPT adapter, and it doesnt work.
Screenshot_20170817-152923 by
[url=https://flic.kr/p/WA4upX]20170817_152752 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/145255365@N08/
 
greengeco82 said:
I need help. My metering valve does not fit to the bubble counter or any other npt threads. The swagelok website says my metering valve is 1/8" but the threads seem to be 1/16." SO, I bought a 1/8" to 1/16" NPT adapter, but the threads are not the same pitch. Anyone have any good advise on what part to order? In the bottom picture I have a 1/8 to 1/16 NPT adapter, and it doesnt work.
Screenshot_20170817-152923 by
[url=https://flic.kr/p/WA4upX]20170817_152752 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/145255365@N08/
Click to expand...


So, it looks like you have a brass metering valve that takes 1/8" tube fittings. if the nut and ferrule are brass, then you'll need the corresponding brass tube fitting with a 1/8" MPT end, part#: B-2-TA-1-2

https://www.swagelok.com/en/catalog/Product/Detail?part=B-2-TA-1-2

If you go with a stainess steel fitting, SS-2-TA-1-2

https://www.swagelok.com/en/catalog/Product/Detail?part=SS-2-TA-1-2

Then you'll need the corresponding stainless steel 1/8" nut and ferrule to attach to the metering valve threads. When it comes to tube fittings, you must keep the metals the same, brass tubes get brass nuts and ferrules and stainless steel tube fittings get stainless steel nuts and ferrules.

Both of those fittings have a proper 1/8" MPT end that will fit the bubble counter.
 
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dateposted-public
Does anyone where I can buy this part?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/91630108@N02/36542121421/in/dateposted-public/
 
THANKS LQT FOR THE RESPONSE EARLIER

Do I need to order more parts than the pictured parts? I'm not 100% sure I understand how these fittings work.

So does the left side of the first picture go through the small brass pieces of the second picture, and then through the screw-on piece of the second picture.
I didn't realize it was a pressure fitting, and that's why I initially purchased the wrong parts.
So, now I dont know if my parts pictured will work, or do I need a different set of parts to go with the second pictured part.
The pictures make the hole look to small for the recommended parts to fit through.
Screenshot (10)
15034268618951929323836
 
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No worries... at first it seemed daunting to me as well, but once you get all the pieces together, it's quite straightforward. We all owe Alanle a big thanks for helping us with these DIY builds. :)
 
Thank you to all. This was harder than I expected, but definitely rewarding. I screwed up my low pressure gauge, but this thing is up and running while a wait for my new one to come. Regulator is HPT500, Burkert solenoid, Wika gauges, Swagelok fine needle valve.
Custom regulator
 
greengeco82 said:
Thank you to all. This was harder than I expected, but definitely rewarding. I screwed up my low pressure gauge, but this thing is up and running while a wait for my new one to come. Regulator is HPT500, Burkert solenoid, Wika gauges, Swagelok fine needle valve.
Custom regulator
Click to expand...

how did you screwed up the low pressure gauge? did you not close the valve before turned on the CO2 tank.
 
Exactly! I let way more pressure go to the low pressure guage than its rated for. I burried the low pressure gauge when I opened the co2 tank valve. Now when there is no pressure in the regulator, the gauge still registers about 30psi. Luckily I found the same used gauge on eBay for $10.
 
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