Best calcium reactor co2 regulator

[jbanman14]

Hi all,

I have an older MRC 2 stage calcium reactor I will be setting up. Tank eats about 130 ml of 2 part a day. I bought one of the Kamoer continuous duty pumps and I have an old Milwaukee regulator but one of the gauges seems broken and its seen some use so probably wise to go new. I was thinking just another Milwaukee regulator but figured there may be some other good options. Would like to keep it reasonably priced, i know the bubble counter one is really good but hopefully a cheaper good options. Let me know what people think. Thanks for the help.

James

 

[Haddonisreef]

https://aquariumplants.com/products/carbondoser-electronic-co2-regulator-the-best-in-the-world

 

[TheRealChrisBrown]

I have a regulator that I bought off of eBay that I intended to be my backup regulator....that I just ended up liking better than the CarbonDoser. I still have the carbondoser which is attached to a Victor 2 stage regulator if interested. The eBay one is a little harder to make small adjustments on, but it works really well as the simplest solution.

By no means cheaper than the Milwaukee, but I like to drool over these custom build rigs

 

[halmus]

https://aquariumplants.com/products/carbondoser-electronic-co2-regulator-the-best-in-the-world

I went with the carbondoser as well. I’ve been really happy with it.

 

[jda123]

I have used a bunch of different kinds... currently use a Dual Stage Liquid Filled Gauge Surgical Stainless Victor with a super precision needle valve (super expensive), AquaTek and a Tunze. I have had Aquarium Plants Carbondoser (the regulator is cheap junk, but the box is cool), M3, Milwaukee and a few more. All of them work and are steady. If I had to do it again, I would just get a Tunze.

Do not forget your check valve or any regulator that you buy will suffer when/if saltwater gets back into it.

Edit: people freak out about this, but all that you need is a steady and consisten regulator and most of them fit this bill. They can get inconsistent when they rust up, but use a check valve and this should help. Most of them will not last more than a decade if get humid and salty, but what do you expect when you do not spend the extra big-time bucks on a stainless one. The needle valve is far more important than the regulator - you can upgrade these for $50 on nearly every one... or you can just learn to use the more-touchy ones that come with them. I have never had a regulator that would not hold steady.

Double Edit: when out and about, buy a second bottle if you ever see one. It seems like you always run out of co2 at the worst time and having even a 5 lb bottle in the garage or shed is really helpful. I got one from a failed home brewer once for $5 and it was nearly full. I saw some 60lb ones on the side of the road with a "free" sign and I should have gotten one or two. ...just keep an eye out.