Building a New Co2 Regulator...

sntlewis · Aug 10, 2018

OK, I lost my CO2 regulator on my CA reactor this morning to a diaphraghm rupture (single stage..) and was thinking of upping the ante with a dual stage setup..

Then I got a price from local welding store...

Now off to ebay, but other than brand name (victor, matheson, harris) and dual stage what should I look for?

model numbers would be really helpful or links to other regulator setups that people have built.

GoVols · Aug 10, 2018

sntlewis said:
OK, I lost my CO2 regulator on my CA reactor this morning to a diaphraghm rupture (single stage..) and was thinking of upping the ante with a dual stage setup..

Then I got a price from local welding store...

Now off to ebay, but other than brand name (victor, matheson, harris) and dual stage what should I look for?

model numbers would be really helpful or links to other regulator setups that people have built.

Well,
I've got an great, hand built (GLA) dual stage regulator.... $$$

If you don't have any luck on ebay, you might want the buy the CarbonDoser

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/carbondoser-electronic-co2-regulator-aquarium-plant-life.html

KrisReef · Aug 10, 2018

I bought a dual stage and now wish I would have bought the CarbonDoser.

sntlewis · Aug 11, 2018

I have the electronic savvy just wondering if dual stage and electronic control (apex and arduino) is over kill.

May go the route of a good single stage and add, which was the plan before the diaphragm let go.

Water Dog · Aug 11, 2018

If you’re into DIY and electronic savvy, then get quality dual stage regulator and an electronic Clippard mouse solenoid. That’s essentially what the CarbonDoser is, except the CarbonDoser uses a cheap bottom of the barrel single stage regulator. Here is some valuable information from an RC thread if you want to go with the DIY route for the electronics.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2630742

That said, I just built this all stainless steel Victor SGT160 dual stage regulator with all stainless steel parts... Hoke 1300 low flow metering valve and Burkert 6011 solenoid for my CaRx set up. Still waiting on my stainless steel CGA320 fitting and Wika liquid filled gauges to come in. They should come in today and I’ll post pictures of the completed build. These parts are all industrial, lab grade parts that will last a lifetime.

jda · Aug 11, 2018

The regulator on the CarbonDoser is not nice. The box is cool. Can you still just buy the box? You used to be able to. People put them on Victor dual stage regulators and claimed that they were the best setup.

All of this being said, I have used regulators for a decade or more that are just single stage. You will probably be OK if you just want to get another one. I have had great luck with Milwaukee, M3 and Tunze and just put a better metering valve on them, or a carbon doser box.

Water Dog · Aug 11, 2018

BTW... someone is selling a a dual stage with everything included except for the solenoid valve in the classifieds...

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/wts-diy-co2-regulator.436499/

Water Dog · Aug 12, 2018

The rest of the parts came in and I just finished her up!

sntlewis · Aug 12, 2018

time for a leak test!

Water Dog · Aug 12, 2018

Done... passed with flying colors!

sntlewis · Aug 17, 2018

bought the setup WaterDog referenced earlier. Came in today. Got the 320(?) nipple ordered.

Water Dog · Aug 17, 2018

Sweet! If you have any questions, gimme a heads up.

Mrx7899 · Dec 16, 2019

I know this is an old thread, but my regulator I've been using has a adapter on it to convert it to CGA-320. I would like to swap it out for a CGA-320 nut and nip to eliminate the adapter. Anyone have an tips on removing the original nut and nip setup do I just use vise grips and unscrew it ?Here is a pic of my regulator.

Water Dog · Dec 16, 2019

I used a socket wrench to remove the original nitrogen fittings on the two DIY regulators that I built. Worked well for me. I’d imagine vice grips would work as well, the longer the handles the better, for leverage purposes.

Mrx7899 · Dec 16, 2019

Thanks I didn't even think about using a socket wrench.

kwong1998 · Dec 20, 2019

Try to build one for myself. I have a question from the solenoid to the metering value. Do I need any adaptor in between? I saw youtube video. he used a 1/8 to 1/8 elbow connect between the solenoid and the metering value, And he is using the swagelok SS-SS4-A, but the swagelok SS-SS4-A is 1/4". .

Thanks

Water Dog · Dec 20, 2019

So Burkert 611a solenoids have 1/8” female threaded commections. As you can see in my regulator, I have a pair of Hoke 1/8” street elbows attached, coming out of the solenoid. From there, you’ll need a 1/8” MPT x 1/4” tube to connect to your 1/4” Swagelok SS4 metering valve. Swagelok part #: SS-4-TA-1-2

Swagelok® 1/4" OD Tube Adapter x 1/8" NPT Male Pipe 316 Stainless Steel SS4TA1-2 | eBay

CONDITION REPORT: New & clean. These are pre-swage with a Swagelok 1/4 tube nut and double ferrules. PTFE tape, if not applied properly, can contribute to system contamination, especially with fluid applications.

rover.ebay.com

Note - I’m using a 1/4” Hoke 1300 series low flow metering valve.

kwong1998 · Dec 20, 2019

Got it. Thanks for your Help. by the way What is the part# between your regulator and solenoid and the elbow. I like your config. very nice setup. Is this your metering value https://www.ebay.com/itm/HOKE-VAVES...018883&hash=item2864af40a0:g:9nIAAOSwEHhas-Im That come with the 1/8 fitting? Thanks

Water Dog · Dec 21, 2019

That is a 1/4” MPT x 1/8” MPT nipple, Swagelok SS-4-HRN-2

Swagelok New Stainless Steel Hex Reducing Nipple 1/4 MNPT x 1/8 MNPT SS-4-HRN-2 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Swagelok New Stainless Steel Hex Reducing Nipple 1/4 MNPT x 1/8 MNPT SS-4-HRN-2 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

rover.ebay.com

Then the solenoid itself, a stainless steel Burkert 6011a

Burkert 6011 a 3/32 FKW SS Solenoid Valve NPT 1/8 00461789 PMAX 87psi 110v for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Burkert 6011 a 3/32 FKW SS Solenoid Valve NPT 1/8 00461789 PMAX 87psi 110v at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

rover.ebay.com

My metering valve is actually a Hoke 1335G4Y, which is 1/4”. The one you linked to, the Hoke 1335G3YMM is a no go as it’s metric.

raullozano3 · Jun 18, 2020

Kind of an old thread, but for you guys using the burkert solenoid, what is the life expectancy of it, I have one and just wondering how many time on/off will affect the life of it.