Vpier Posted December 29, 2015 Report Share Posted December 29, 2015 Whats is a good CO2 system for a beginner that will not break the bank and I can use with shrimp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandovalsbco Posted December 29, 2015 Report Share Posted December 29, 2015 I purchased this co2 regulator http://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/300228662982 I bought my 5 lb co2 tank from a local welding supply shop for 60 bucks. It costs 11 to fill which I haven't done yet because it has been going strong for 2 months now. Everything else like the diffuser and the co2 tubing I bought off amazon. Which came out to another 20 dollars. As far as the regulator goes I haven't had a problem with it. It's easy to adjust and stays on point with no fluctuations with the amount released. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandovalsbco Posted December 29, 2015 Report Share Posted December 29, 2015 Oh I also purchased a rhinox glass co2 checker but it isn't a must. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vpier Posted December 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2015 Thanks. I will check it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kikojaharo Posted December 29, 2015 Report Share Posted December 29, 2015 This is my set up; asa paintball valve with a Parker needle valve and a regular airline adjuster, both as a breakaway point and for fine-tune adjustments. I've seen many arguments against this setup with the needle valve being not adjustable enough, the paintball tanks being too much of a hassle to refill, but it depends on your situation. My brother gave up on paintball and we have a lot of places around here that will fill your tanks for cheap, and I'm only giving co2 to a 5 gal. This set up cost me about $20 to set up, $3 to refill If you do want to go with an actual regulator, I've heard good things about aquatek regulators, and both the paintball and basic regulator run for about $90 on eBay and Amazon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OMG Aquatics Posted December 30, 2015 Report Share Posted December 30, 2015 With CO2 Systems, you get what you pay. DIY CO2 gives very inaccurate CO2 output. If you plan on getting a regulator, I recommend GLA because of their super duper awesome warranty. GLA MINI-series regulators are covered under a 10 year warranty. GLA GRO-series regulators are covered under a 3 year warranty. GLA Pro-series regulators are covered under a 6 year warranty. I don't know any other company that gives this long warranty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve R. Posted December 30, 2015 Report Share Posted December 30, 2015 I second Poopians. I have a system from GLA (greenleafaquariums) and I am very happy with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vpier Posted December 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2015 Thanks guys. I have no idea what to get. Looking for a complete system out there for CO2 dummies like me but dont want to break the bank. I love planted tanks but GLA stuff is going to put to big of a dent on my shrimp budget. Hey Steve R. Rock Chalk Jayhawk Go KU !!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlantDude Posted December 30, 2015 Report Share Posted December 30, 2015 Thanks guys. I have no idea what to get. Looking for a complete system out there for CO2 dummies like me but dont want to break the bank. I love planted tanks but GLA stuff is going to put to big of a dent on my shrimp budget. Hey Steve R. Rock Chalk Jayhawk Go KU !!!!!!!!! Honestly, most of the budget will go towards your regulator, and I would recommend something that is fairly accurate(less dialing in). What is your budget for your whole co2 setup? You can get a Milwaukee regulator or a Co2 Art regulator which are less expensive compared to GLA. I think the Milwaukee reg comes with a drop checker so you'll save some cash there. After that, the only big ticket items will be the tank and diffuser. Saw this today and it's similar to what I was referring to: https://www.reddit.com/r/AquaSwap/comments/3ypy7m/fs_selling_dualvalve_co2_setup_and_solenoid/ Tank: http://rapidswholesale.com/aluminum-co2-cylinder-5-lbs.html?gclid=CjwKEAiA4rujBRDD7IG_wOPytXkSJACTMkga1nXFlcCVXXKJ0TnmHU825D0k_fbP2sEIcdVyLYUi2BoCQZbw_wcB Reg: http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-Instruments-MA957-Dual-Valve-Adjustable/dp/B002P39I8U Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vpier Posted December 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2015 Honestly, most of the budget will go towards your regulator, and I would recommend something that is fairly accurate(less dialing in). What is your budget for your whole co2 setup? You can get a Milwaukee regulator or a Co2 Art regulator which are less expensive compared to GLA. I think the Milwaukee reg comes with a drop checker so you'll save some cash there. After that, the only big ticket items will be the tank and diffuser. Saw this today and it's similar to what I was referring to: https://www.reddit.com/r/AquaSwap/comments/3ypy7m/fs_selling_dualvalve_co2_setup_and_solenoid/ Tank: http://rapidswholesale.com/aluminum-co2-cylinder-5-lbs.html?gclid=CjwKEAiA4rujBRDD7IG_wOPytXkSJACTMkga1nXFlcCVXXKJ0TnmHU825D0k_fbP2sEIcdVyLYUi2BoCQZbw_wcB Reg: http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-Instruments-MA957-Dual-Valve-Adjustable/dp/B002P39I8U Thanks. I will look into the Milwaukee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdman Posted January 30, 2016 Report Share Posted January 30, 2016 A lot of people dislike Milwaukee compared to higher end regulators like GLA but I think they're reasonable for a first co2 system. If you don't need pin point accuracy and you're just looking for something that works, I would recommend Milwaukee as well. I have 3 of them on low tech to high tech tanks, been using them for over 8 years. No problems yet, but the needle valve isn't that accurate and will require some fiddling every once in a while. Or maybe I'm using it incorrectly... Vpier 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aennedry Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 My first (and only) co2 setup was a very diy, I was using yeast bottles. basic, but if you kept an eye on it it worked great, my plants grew like weeds. And that became a problem due to me having done this to a 38gal tall, and boy was it hard to prune. So not doing that again in a tank that is as tall as my arm is long. =^._.^= Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctaylor3737 Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 Aquatek has a decent regulator I have used for years. Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctaylor3737 Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk PlantDude 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vpier Posted February 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 Aquatek has a decent regulator I have used for years. Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk Does this have a good needle vavle? Is it precise? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctaylor3737 Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 Does this have a good needle vavle? Is it precise?Yea works good for me, once it's set usually stays that way other than minor adjustments. I could never figure out the hype of the expensive ones. I've had them and they work the same as the others. Vpier and Soothing Shrimp 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vpier Posted February 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loumeer Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 I 100% believe that buying a used regulator on ebay and building your own is the best and most economical. You can get a decent dual stage reg for 45-60. Then if you go all brass it keeps its really economical. Just requires a bit of research. If you want to go down this route and need some advice or info let me know I'd be glad to help. I knew jack all about CO2 and regulators and was able to piece a nice system together. Mine came out to be quite expensive but I opted for stainless steel for aesthetics. I think with brass you can get a top of the line setup for ballpark $200 if you dont get lucky on ebay and much less if you do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vpier Posted February 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 I 100% believe that buying a used regulator on ebay and building your own is the best and most economical. You can get a decent dual stage reg for 45-60. Then if you go all brass it keeps its really economical. Just requires a bit of research. If you want to go down this route and need some advice or info let me know I'd be glad to help. I knew jack all about CO2 and regulators and was able to piece a nice system together. Mine came out to be quite expensive but I opted for stainless steel for aesthetics. I think with brass you can get a top of the line setup for ballpark $200 if you dont get lucky on ebay and much less if you do. Thanks. If I decide to go that route I will contact you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.