Economy CO2 regulator in Austin?

[Edk]

Matt is building a calcium reactor for me, and I'm looking for the CO2 setup to go with it. He recommends a Dwyer flow meter with a simple regulator. Anyplace in Austin sell simple regulators and CO2 tanks? Also need CO2 resistant hoses and a PH monitor, although I can easily get the latter off the web.

Thanks,

Ed

[matt]

"CO2" resistant hose is nothing more than 1/4" LDPE tubing, better known as icemaker hose. Available at HD for about $2 for 25ft. Check beverage supply places for the regulator. Just make sure there's someplace you can screw in the flow meter; I think it's 1/8" female threads. You need to drop the working pressure to about 20-30lbs/sq"

[GaryP]

Any gas company should have a regulator. You can also check with industrial supply type companies such as Grainger. You can check Grainger's catalog online.

Gary

[TexasState]

You can buy them for about $50 from Harbor Supply. But I would suggest that you buy a complete dual Gauge JBL regulator, needle valve and bubble counter combo from Ebay for $90 shipped.

[matt]

Yeah, but he doesn't need the bubble counter (on the reactor already) and the needle valve because the dwyer flowmeter replaces it and does a MUCH better job. I think I posted something about it way back when I first got the flowmeter. Here it is:

http://www.maast.org/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=1968&high light=dwyer+flowmeter

[RobertG]

I picked up a Tunze Regulator w/ dual gauges. Also comes with Needle valve. I think it was about 65$$.
Its pictured here in the left corner. AquaTek, Burnet Rd.

Good Luck

Robert

[Henry]

Wow that is a good price on the tunze. Just to make sure that was the price new and not used?

[RobertG]

69.28 Pulled reciept. Cant believe I had it. Thats scary a box of fish stuff reciepts. :lol3: Yes it was New.

[matt]

Hey Robert, does that foam really cut down on noise?

[RobertG]

I Think so.

[Henry]

Thanks Robert.

[Edk]

What do you think about this regulator? http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=47259
It's only $29.95. Looks like it has the right size output to go to the Dwyer meter.

Matt--what kind of tubing goes from the regulator to meter, and from the meter into the reactor?

Ed

[matt]

Don't know about that regulator. The fitting for the bottle end looks a little different to me. The tubing is 1/4" O.D. LDPE, icemaker tubing.

[Edk]

Alright, what about this one?
http://store.kegwarehouse.com/1h001.html

Ed

[matt]

Should work. I don't understand why you can't find a cheap one at the same place you get the bottle though. If I knew more about these things I could help you better, but this one looks like it has the right connection. Find out what the thread size is on the output, what the hose barb size is, what the output pressure is, etc.. Or at least find out if you can send it back if it won't work for any reason. It looks to me like you could take off the output hose barb, use a brass threaded nipple to connect the flowmeter directly to the regulator, then use that same barb, if it's the right size, on the out connection to the flowmeter. The barb looks pretty big to me, though.