Co2 Regulator

[IndyMatt]

I am tired of messing with the Milwaukee regulator on the Co2 tank. I have it set and then it doesn't hold the setting. In fairness, it is pretty old and banged up. So, I am looking at new regulators. I am looking at either the GEN X regulator or the Reef Fanatic. Here are the two:

GEN-X
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=GEN-XCO2REG&Category_Code=co2units

Reef Fanatic
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...roduct_Code=RF-CO2-REG&Category_Code=co2units

I want something that I can set and forget and not have to mess with everyday. I need something that can hold a steady one bubble every 3 seconds rate. The reef fanatic is nice but it is almost twice as much! Is the Gen X as good?

 

[DonW]

The gen x is a good unit. The other uses a valve that looks like the MW but chromed. I'd stay away from that type of fine adjustmet valves.

Don

 

[twilliard]

I have the gen-x and the only thing I would add is a high quality needle valve to it.
The adjustment knob it has seems to be more for planted tanks.

JMO
Todd

 

[IndyMatt]

Will it be able to hold a steady low bubble count?

Twillard- would this be a good replacement?

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=RF-NV&Category_Code=co2units

Although if I have to add that to it, I might as well get the Reef Fanatic.

 

[DonW]

Will it be able to hold a steady low bubble count?

Twillard- would this be a good replacement?

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=RF-NV&Category_Code=co2units

Although if I have to add that to it, I might as well get the Reef Fanatic.

I have the genx. I can use 1bpm or 60bpm and everything in between without it ever changing.

Don

 

[IndyMatt]

That's good to know Don. I really don't want to shell out $145 bucks for one!

Twilliard were you having issues holding the bubble count? I can get the one I have set but then it changes on me, it either slows or stops the C02.

 

[twilliard]

Not an issue of holding the count. It just is not a fine adjustment knob. Getting below 10 BPM takes some serious Patience. Not for the shaky hand.
No such thing as a "turn" for adjusting on this one. You can literally bump it to change your bubble count.
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Oh and by no meens am I disagreeing with you Don. I run all PCI equipment and love it all. I am just stating that a fine adjustment neddle would help out for the beginner reactor user.

 

[twilliard]

Oh and not to say Matt is a beginner, it was stated for all beginner users in general.

After some coffee in me I noticed now that you are having a problem holding a bubble count. The pressures in your reactor will change your count. Is the needle actually moving on you? How do you have the reactor plumbed in??

 

[DonW]

Not an issue of holding the count. It just is not a fine adjustment knob. Getting below 10 BPM takes some serious Patience. Not for the shaky hand.
No such thing as a "turn" for adjusting on this one. You can literally bump it to change your bubble count.
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Oh and by no meens am I disagreeing with you Don. I run all PCI equipment and love it all. I am just stating that a fine adjustment neddle would help out for the beginner reactor user.

Oh no I agree they are touchy. One cheap easy fix is to use a good check valve that requires a little pressure to open. The John Guest is a good one. This way your using more pressure to get the low bubble counts.

Don

 

[twilliard]

Totally agree Don. I installed a check valve on my reactor which helped a TON on bubble count. Uses the pressure in the line to help keep it steady.

For being my first reactor it took almost 4 weeks to get all the bugs figured out. What a mess! The pressures in my reactor was always changing and messing with my count. Then I would get an air bubble in my effluent line and stop the flow which then the CO2 went nuts and filled the reactor.
Now it is fed off my return pump that keeps the reactor at a steady pressure inside.
All is well now!

 

[IndyMatt]

It is a MRC CR-1, I have it feed with a maxijet 1200.

As far as a check valve, is this what you guyes are talking about?

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=M3-DCV&Category_Code=

I was also told about this Co2 regulator, it looks really nice but I just need something that keeps the bubble count steady.

http://www.aquariumplants.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=CO2%2D1&CartID=1

I do like how it has a 3 year warranty.

 

[IndyMatt]

Oh by the way I am a beginner when it comes to Calcium Reactors.

 

[class clown]

I made the switch from a milwaukee to GenX after my Milwaukee konked out on me. I've had the gen x going for about a year. The nozzles seem stiffer and I don't know why, but it seems like it is easier to adjust. FWIW, I'd go gen x again if I had to.

side note: also FWIW, I do think their bubble counters are kinda cheap though. I had a bit of difficulty threading the top on mine. Maybe i just got a bad batch, but that was my only complaint. I'm now scared to take the top of the bubble counter off for fear i won't be able to rethread the top and loose the seal.

 

[IndyMatt]

Class Clown - Are you talking about the Milwaukee's Bubble Counter? I didn't think the GEN-X came with a bubble counter? I was going to use a Aquamedic bubble counter and attach it to the Reactor body.

 

[DonW]

I made the switch from a milwaukee to GenX after my Milwaukee konked out on me. I've had the gen x going for about a year. The nozzles seem stiffer and I don't know why, but it seems like it is easier to adjust. FWIW, I'd go gen x again if I had to.

side note: also FWIW, I do think their bubble counters are kinda cheap though. I had a bit of difficulty threading the top on mine. Maybe i just got a bad batch, but that was my only complaint. I'm now scared to take the top of the bubble counter off for fear i won't be able to rethread the top and loose the seal.

The plain genx regulators dont a have bubble counter, and would be what I'd stick with. On the Check Valve just search JounGuest check valve. I like these they take quite abit of pressure to open so makes it easier to get a low bubble count.

Don

 

[twilliard]

Gen-X does not have a bubble counter.

Nice regulator, 80 TPI is nice. Also that is just like the check valve I have on my reacor.

LOL Don--- on top of things

 

[class clown]

yeah.. Don's right, the regular one's look like they don't come w/ a bubble counter. I have the one w/ a selenoid on it and it did come w/ one. I got the one w/ the selenoid so i can hook it up to a controller. I think you'd be fine w/ either you go with, some folks like extra bells and whistles - you just have to figure out if it's worth it to you.

selenoid - gives you the option to add a controller, but as they say, it's just another part to replace in a couple years if it goes bad. The selenoid on my milwaukee went out, which is what orginally encouraged me to move to gen x. good luck in whatever you decide.

 

[IndyMatt]

Well I ordered the Aquarium Plants regulator. I liked everything about it and it comes with a 3 year warranty!

 

[class clown]

warranty is always good

best of luck!

 

[DonW]

yeah.. Don's right, the regular one's look like they don't come w/ a bubble counter. I have the one w/ a selenoid on it and it did come w/ one. I got the one w/ the selenoid so i can hook it up to a controller. I think you'd be fine w/ either you go with, some folks like extra bells and whistles - you just have to figure out if it's worth it to you.

selenoid - gives you the option to add a controller, but as they say, it's just another part to replace in a couple years if it goes bad. The selenoid on my milwaukee went out, which is what orginally encouraged me to move to gen x. good luck in whatever you decide.

Gen-x is just PCI. They had both available for awhile. One had a bubble counter the other did not. They both have solenoid valves. It appears that they may not be importing the one with the bubble counter anymore, Its not on their website. IMO the one with out is just one thing less to leak.
I also would not use the AM bubble counter, I'm not even sure why its still on the market. I would make one or get a good one.

Don