Tank
Rapids Wholesale - Co2 kits - 5-lb new steel tank with dual
gauge regulators
(#BD435) – As of 11/19/2005 price is $110.99
Rapids Wholesale: http://rapidswholesale.net/
Search for “BD435”
This tank and regulator combination uses a Tap-Rite #742 two gauge regulator.
Needle Valve
Appears to be Clippard MNV-4K2 (4k2 has an 1/8 hose
barb included)
http://www.floridadriftwood.com/product.asp?3=51
or
http://www.floridadriftwood.com/store.asp Then search for “needle valve”
Florida Driftwood shipped my valve with a 10-32 to 1/8 NPT adaptor on the bottom port.
Connect Needle Valve to Regulator
If needle valve comes with brass adaptor with 1/8” NPT male screw
threads:
Also needs a ¼” NPT male to 1/8” NPT female adaptor (Clippard #15006-5) to connect the valve directly to the regulator.
Can probably get where you fill co2 gas.
If needle valve does not come with any brass adaptor – std 10-32
male threads on bottom:
Need ¼” NPT male to 10-32 female adaptor (Clippard #15006-3) to connect the valve directly to the regulator.
Add second 1/8” hose barb to needle valve
Add female 10-32 to female 10-32 bushing (Clippard # 15004)
Add 1/8” hose barb to male 10-32 threads (Clippard # 11752-4)
CO2 Reactor
Plant Guild Power Reactor
Scroll down or look for “power reactor”. I use the larger of the two products.
CO2 Level Monitor
Dupla monitor - Dupla CO2 Dauertest
http://www.dohse-aquaristik.de/dupla/england/dupla/produkte.php
or
http://www.dohse-aquaristik.de/ and select “Dupla Products”
Then search for “dauertest”
Initially I used this and it saved my but. Once the co2 is stable, there is less/no need for it.
NOTES
You may be able to buy the Clippard
needle valve - MNV-4K2 from a local Clippard
distributor. Check their web site
www.Clippard.com
The web site can also show you the
closest distributor to where you live.
To add a second 1/8-inch needle
connector on the Clippard
you need the following parts from Clippard:
#15004 -
Female Hex Connector - convert the 10-32 male inlet port to a 10-32 female
#11752 - 10-32
to 1/8 inch hose
Some people use other co2 reactors/diffusers. Lots of variety
here so do some more research on the web.
My 5 lb tank lasts about 6 months on my 55 gallon tank.
Be sure to look at local welding supply
companies and at home brewing supply stores for tank and regulator. Certainly will save shipping (partly offset
with tax).
Note if you consider buying a used tank, be sure to find out when it was last pressure tested
and how much that will cost. As I
recall, tanks must be tested every five years.
If possible, get a used tank that has had a recent test.
If you are interested in less pieces, be sure to look at the
Do a Google search for “