How to build a CO2 regulator for your calcium reactor.

[GraviT]

[MENTION=73045]GraviT[/MENTION], what reactor are you running?

Its a Skimz Monzter CM153. I’ve been using one of their skimmers for a couple of years and love it, so i thought I’d give their Ca reactor a shot. Its an internal model that is driven by a single, DC pump for both chamber and effluent. There aren’t many reviews of this one, but so far so good.

 

[LQT]

Finally got all my parts in and finished my regulator! I must admit, I did go a little nuts and got some stainless steel glycerin filled Wika gauges from eBay.

 

[ReefWreak]

Looks very nice though! and super compact.

 

[LQT]

Looks very nice though! and super compact.

Thanks dude! Did you test your Matheson yet? If you want, I have the original gauges from my Victor that you can have if you want them...

 

[naterealbig]

Colored CO2 Tank?

Colored CO2 Tank?

Hi everyone! Great thread - I just helped my brother build one of these valves - it's a beaut.

A bit off topic, but I have a quick question - I am planning on mounting my CO2 tank to the outside of my stand, and I am looking for a place where I can purchase a colored 20lb CO2 cylinder. Any ideas where I can get one of these?

 

[solitude127]

Hi everyone! Great thread - I just helped my brother build one of these valves - it's a beaut.

A bit off topic, but I have a quick question - I am planning on mounting my CO2 tank to the outside of my stand, and I am looking for a place where I can purchase a colored 20lb CO2 cylinder. Any ideas where I can get one of these?

Only place I found was a red one on amazon. It might be tough to get your own tank filled as most places usually do a bottle exchange.

 

[naterealbig]

Only place I found was a red one on amazon. It might be tough to get your own tank filled as most places usually do a bottle exchange.

Ah. So step one....see if I can find a place that will refill and give me my bottle back. Step two - see if the same place will refill a painted bottle.

If I can find a place, I guess I could just paint one myself... I've seen a few really neat looking ones, but nothing bigger than 10lb. I was thinking a 20lb for my tank, but guess I could go smaller if I needed.

Thanks for the reply. I'll see what amazon has. I really wanted a blue one to match my piping.

 

[alanle]

Who likes digital gauges?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[solitude127]

that's pretty cool. I wonder how long the batteries last in the gauges.

 

[mitch91175]

Hey guys, I am embarking on switching to a calcium reactor and stumbled upon this thread. I was considering buying a CarbonDoser, but from everything that I have read online, 2 stage is much more precise, but I am having issues finding the components. Anyone can recommend a source for the components or have one for sale at a somewhat reasonable price?

 

[LQT]

Hey guys, I am embarking on switching to a calcium reactor and stumbled upon this thread. I was considering buying a CarbonDoser, but from everything that I have read online, 2 stage is much more precise, but I am having issues finding the components. Anyone can recommend a source for the components or have one for sale at a somewhat reasonable price?

All of the components purchased for my DIY builds were sourced from eBay. Finding good deals on eBay will require patience. All of the components needed for these builds are on page one of this thread. I know it’s not the easy answer that you’re looking for but if you want to build a full stainless steel Alanle style dual stage regulator at a reasonable price, patience and a quick trigger finger on eBay when deals present themselves is a must.

Here is a source for pre wired stainless steel Burkert 6011 solenoids.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Burkert-60...874372&hash=item41eab7722f:g:o4kAAOSwyXVbZTki

Here is a source for cheap stainless steel Hoke 1/8” elbows.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HOKE-2SLP-...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

As far as the other components go... Happy Hunting!

 

[bigboy7828]

alanle, Where did you find those digital gauges????

 

[alanle]

alanle, Where did you find those digital gauges????

Found them on eBay but they're garbage. Internal leaks.


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[bigboy7828]

Found them on eBay but they're garbage. Internal leaks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks! Good to know

 

[ReefWreak]

Found them on eBay but they're garbage. Internal leaks.

Blah sorry to hear that. I got really excited when I found them on ebay for ~$35. Wonder if the branded ones are any better? It's a neat idea that's for sure.

 

[salty joe]

I finally got my reactor up and running but am disappointed in my metering valve. (SwagelokSS-MGVR4) If I barely turn the handle, the bubble rate changes a lot.
The Flow (Cv) is listed as ? to 0.03.

Did I get the wrong valve or maybe another issue?

Industrial Valves from Swagelok Company
SS-MGVR4

SS Medium-Flow Metering Valve, 1/4 in. Male Swagelok VCR Metal Gasket Face Seal Fitting

Specifications

Product Category
Industrial Valves

Valve Type
Metering

Primary Material
Stainless Steel

Valve Size
0.25 inch (6.35 mm)


Number of Ports
2 to ?


Media Temperature
-10 to 400 F (-23 to 204 C)


Flow (Cv)
? to 0.03


Connection Description
Face Seal; Face Seal

 

[LQT]

You will have better flow control using a low flow metering valve. Your medium flow valve will have a harder time with fine tuning adjustments. For stainless steel Swagelok low flow metering valves, look for an SS-SS2 (1/8”) or an SS-SS4 (1/4”).

 

[salty joe]

Rats, that's what I was afraid of.
Thank you LQT, I appreciate it.

 

[salty joe]

Hey! I found an SS-SS4 on EBay for $49 or best offer and got it for $40. I'm thinking it's a steal. Thanks again LQT for suggesting SS-SS4.

 

[LQT]

Nice!