What is the best "CO2 Regulator w/ Solenoid Valve" setup to buy?

[Hale]

I need to buy a NEW: CO2 Regulator w/ Solenoid Valve
-Just bought a used K2R Calcium Reactor. (It has a bubble counter.)
The regulator setup is old, so I want a new one. I have a 20lb CO2 tank.

Any recomendations as to what brand/setup style?

I'm looking at this one from Cramer Decker Industries, Santa Ana, Ca. (sold on MarineDepot)
Delux dual gage with solenoid - $149
-Is this any good? Is there a better one out there?

•Most compact & sturdy construction •Dual gauge pressure indicators
•Industrial-grade Precision Needle Valve (upgradable to Super Precision Metering Valve)
•Integrated 110V Solenoid (Magnetic) Electrical Valve
•Compatible with various sizes of US & Canada CO2 Cylinders (from 12 oz to 20-lb).

 

[Miller]

I just bought one of these......

http://www.aquariumplants.com/Aquar...?Click=13332&gclid=CPzPoIaNmaACFQldagodjQgaUw

I am still going to have a bubble counter just so I can actually see the bubbles. I have a friend who has been running it for quite some time and he LOVES it. Just waiting on my bubble counter and I will be swapping to the new one.

 

[stevenp]

I just bought one of these......

http://www.aquariumplants.com/Aquar...?Click=13332&gclid=CPzPoIaNmaACFQldagodjQgaUw

I am still going to have a bubble counter just so I can actually see the bubbles. I have a friend who has been running it for quite some time and he LOVES it. Just waiting on my bubble counter and I will be swapping to the new one.

I've been running one of those for a while now and it's one sweet piece of equipment. I could never go back to a traditional solenoid.

 

[Gardiner]

I've been running one of those for a while now and it's one sweet piece of equipment. I could never go back to a traditional solenoid.

Same here. Great piece of equipment, and it comes with a 5 year warranty. I bought one used and it stopped bubbling after 6 months. I sent it in for repair and they sent me a brand new model using their new regulator. Totally worth the extra money.

 

[DoctaQ]

i bought a sumo for fw for like 200 bucks, it came highly reccomended and thier customer service has been awesome thus far.

 

[Liam]

aquamedic make the best regulator in my experience,they regulate the pressure internally to 30 psi so you do not have to adjust your valve as cylinder pressure drops

 

[RayD]

I have to go with the Aquarium Plants electronic regulator. It is by far the best one I've used IMO. Solid as a rock. A little more expensive than the others but you can expect 10 years or more out of this unit and re-sale value is good.

I had to fiddle a little with mine to get it perfect but with a little help from Patrick at AA who owns one I got it just exactly where I want it.

Glad I bought that unit.

_________________________________________________

 

[Hale]

Thanks,
I'm going to order the "Electronic Co2 Regulator (with 8 digit LCD Counter)" @$289. from AquariumPlants.com. This thing looks waaay better!

 

[RayD]

Thanks,
I'm going to order the "Electronic Co2 Regulator (with 8 digit LCD Counter)" @$289. from AquariumPlants.com. This thing looks waaay better!

Great choice! I got the one without the digital counter and it rocks.

 

[Hale]

The next step is the whole PH controler setup.
Any recomendations?

This is the first time I am setting up a ca reactor. Is it ok to run my Calcium Reactor all the time without a ph controller and probe setup? If i start off slowly, will the ph stay relitively safe?

 

[Miller]

I would be to nervous to run a CA reactor without being able to control the ph. If you are releasing to much CO2 into your tank it could drop your ph VERY low.