Ca Reactor: CO2 Guages

[anzaw]

Hey everybody,
I am trying to finish up my DIM Ca Reactor. I followed a design that I found online at melevsreef.com. At the same time, my brother and I have just started kegging our homebrew. Question is as I searched online for appropriate CO2 gauges it always seems that those on aquarium websites are apox $90 while gauges on homebrew sites are considerably less. Is there some element of a guage necessary for a Ca reactor that warrants a difference in price: I understand the idea of a selenoid and do not think that I need one now, as I will have my setup in my sump and if power goes out my return goes out. Is the control of the aquarium guages finer? Below are two links to give you an idea of the comparisons that I have found.
Thanks
Adam
www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/regulators/co2-premium.shtml
www.nextag.com/co2-gauge/search-html

 

[robinsonfam1]

i have heard only good things about the brewing gauges.
yes the selenoid and bubble counter (if it has one) will add to the cost. my next reg will be a brew though with diy counter and seperate sele.

 

[Reefin']

http://www.plant-aquarium.com/en-us/dept_32.html

milwaukie reg for $77

 

[DonW]

The reef specific regulators have a fine adjust needle valve. Its a pretty expensive valve so by the time you get the valve the price will be close to the same. Take a look at the genx they work very well the MW are junk.

Don

 

[robinsonfam1]

i agree on the mw....i have replaced/warrantied mine 3 times in 6 months!

don:
do you know if the needle valves made from plastic are any good for this application? i have been thinking about nixing my mw valve for that route.

 

[DonW]

i agree on the mw....i have replaced/warrantied mine 3 times in 6 months!

don:
do you know if the needle valves made from plastic are any good for this application? i have been thinking about nixing my mw valve for that route.

I'd probably just scrap the thing or use for beer. I dont think there is one good component on the MW. The Genx are pretty cheap and work well.

Don

 

[robinsonfam1]

thanks don!