breakaway Posted April 24, 2010 Report Share Posted April 24, 2010 Hey, Just wondering if it's worth investing in a 'high quality' brand like JBJ or similar. I had a quick look on eBay and I can source the regulator + solenoid valve for about $120 NZ incl shipping. But only its one of those "chinese brands" (Link 1) (Link 2) So I'm basically wondering - is it okay to get this chinese quality stuff for my aquarium? With filters and heaters I don't take this sort of risk as they have the potential to kill fish, but CO2 not so much, right? If I was to import the above, all I'd have to do is get a bubble counter and a diffuser (both relatively inexpensive), and I'd be in business - is this correct? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordayzbro Posted April 24, 2010 Report Share Posted April 24, 2010 I will PM you the link for the regulator I bought. You can get your check valve, bubble counter and Co2 test kit from the same site Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brennos Posted April 24, 2010 Report Share Posted April 24, 2010 I will PM you the link for the regulator I bought. You can get your check valve, bubble counter and Co2 test kit from the same site PM to me too please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breakaway Posted April 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2010 The one he recommended me is the same as this one pretty much: http://cgi.ebay.com/Precision-CO2-Carbo ... 45f1e7f350 This is the regulator only for NZ$110 shipped. Still gotta buy the bottle + CO² reactor + check valve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breakaway Posted April 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2010 Also - if I order the regulator from overseas, is it going to fit a NZ bottle? If not, will I be able to buy adapters to make it fit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordayzbro Posted April 24, 2010 Report Share Posted April 24, 2010 Also - if I order the regulator from overseas, is it going to fit a NZ bottle? If not, will I be able to buy adapters to make it fit? To fit my reg to a sodastream bottle I had to order an adaptor, but I don't think sodastream is a standard fitting anyway. What type of bottle are you using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breakaway Posted April 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2010 I'm not sure. I'm going to order the reg + solenoid from ebay first - probably this one - http://cgi.ebay.com/CO2-regulator-solen ... 3a57ab9c7c, and then find a bottle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordayzbro Posted April 24, 2010 Report Share Posted April 24, 2010 I'm not sure. I'm going to order the reg + solenoid from ebay first - probably this one - http://cgi.ebay.com/CO2-regulator-solen ... 3a57ab9c7c, and then find a bottle. That's similar to the one I ordered. If you decide to use sodastream I can send you the link to the adaptor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breakaway Posted April 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2010 How long does the sodastream last for? The main reason I'm staying away from soda stream is because it holds only 500mL of CO² vs the 5kg or so that the other bottles have. Won't it run out in a month or so? And you have to pay $12 to re-fill / replace it at the supermarket? Whereas a bigger bottle wouldn't need refills for close to a year on my 200L tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordayzbro Posted April 25, 2010 Report Share Posted April 25, 2010 How long does the sodastream last for? The main reason I'm staying away from soda stream is because it holds only 500mL of CO² vs the 5kg or so that the other bottles have. Won't it run out in a month or so? And you have to pay $12 to re-fill / replace it at the supermarket? Whereas a bigger bottle wouldn't need refills for close to a year on my 200L tank. I haven't set mine up yet, still waiting for the adaptor to arrive. If you can find a good supplier to fill your Co2 bottle go for the big one. I'm stuck with the sodastream for now but if it becomes a hassle refilling all the time I'll look for a bigger bottle. Also, not sure if it makes a difference but I know the Co2 in a sodastream is food grade Co2 so is cleaner than say Co2 used in a FE. I may be wrong on this though..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breakaway Posted April 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2010 Hollywood fish farm sell gas bottles for $220 iirc. The capacity is 10L. They do refills also. I'm sure they wouldn't be selling CO2 that may harm your fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordayzbro Posted April 25, 2010 Report Share Posted April 25, 2010 Hollywood fish farm sell gas bottles for $220 iirc. The capacity is 10L. They do refills also. I'm sure they wouldn't be selling CO2 that may harm your fish. HHF would use high grade Co2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breakaway Posted April 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2010 Yeah. Usually when you buy a bottle they come unfilled anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted April 25, 2010 Report Share Posted April 25, 2010 How long does the sodastream last for? The main reason I'm staying away from soda stream is because it holds only 500mL of CO² vs the 5kg or so that the other bottles have. Won't it run out in a month or so? And you have to pay $12 to re-fill / replace it at the supermarket? Whereas a bigger bottle wouldn't need refills for close to a year on my 200L tank. I remember someone that used a sodastream saying theirs ran out every week or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordayzbro Posted April 25, 2010 Report Share Posted April 25, 2010 Yeah. Usually when you buy a bottle they come unfilled anyway. The hardest part setting up Co2 for me has been deciding on the bottle and refills and finding clear hosing suitable for the pressures. :-? There is a company called Airliquide who might be able to fill your 10kg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N1CK Posted April 25, 2010 Report Share Posted April 25, 2010 HHF would use high grade Co2. how can you get high grade CO2? :-? and anything in large concentrations is harmful, 30ppm of CO2 is an alright level for most fish though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breakaway Posted April 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2010 Why would you need clear hosing that can take pressure? That's the regulators job. The only part of the loop that uses hose would be from the output from the needle valve to the diffuser inside the aquarium, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordayzbro Posted April 25, 2010 Report Share Posted April 25, 2010 how can you get high grade CO2? :-? and anything in large concentrations is harmful, 30ppm of CO2 is an alright level for most fish though I could be wrong but I was led to beleive there is different grades to Co2 purity. I'm not sure if it makes any difference in an aquarium though :-? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted April 25, 2010 Report Share Posted April 25, 2010 Yeah, should be. The hose should be low pressure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordayzbro Posted April 25, 2010 Report Share Posted April 25, 2010 Here is a good setup article http://www.littlegreencorner.com/setuptips_co2.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zev Posted April 25, 2010 Report Share Posted April 25, 2010 You can get food grade C02, this is what they fill the Sodastream canisters with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breakaway Posted April 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2010 What is the diameter of the connector on the bottle end of the bottles that you get in NZ? I asked the guy who sells the regulator on eBay and he says the regulator end is 2cm. How big are the connectors on our bottles? It's not a standardised thing is it? That would be far too logical :roll: . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwiplymouth Posted April 25, 2010 Report Share Posted April 25, 2010 Same seller, same product but a different link http://cgi.ebay.com/CO2-regulator-solen ... 3a57dc6a05 Make an offer. I offered him USD$50 each for 2 units and he accepted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breakaway Posted April 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2010 I already got him down to US$53 each But I need to be sure that the regulator will fit NZ-Bought bottles. So I'm waiting for someone in the know to come around and tell me whats what. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zev Posted April 25, 2010 Report Share Posted April 25, 2010 It is not just the diameter of the end, it is what sort of thread it is as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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