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masroberts9
03-13-2009, 10:09 PM
I have had a couple recommendations to post this list....so here it goes.

CO2 cylinder
http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/tanks/co2/C5.shtml

Regulator/solenoid/needlevalve/bubblecounter
this set does not come highly recommended, apparently it may experience end of bottle dump. The recommended fix is to get a better needle valve.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330313440436&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_RCRX_Pr4_PcY_BIN_IT&refitem=230328311470&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=CrossSell_LogicX&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget&_trksid=p284.m183&_trkparms=algo%3DCRX%26its%3DS%252BI%26itu%3DUCI%2 52BSI%26otn%3D4

Since i intended on running CO2 on more than one tank I ordered this distributer/manifold/gangvalve
http://www.aquacave.com/3-outlet-co2-manifoldbr-gang-valve-by-jbj-1940.html

the regulator/solenoid/needlevalve combo that come highly recommended is a custom make by rex griggs.
http://www.rexgrigg.com/

I opted not to get a ph controller/monitor, but what i have read... suggests that this one is a good one. (not sure if this is the best price out there.)
http://www.aquacave.com/sms122-ph-controllerbr-by-milwaukee-instruments-612.html

Whether you decide on a ph monitor or not...... a drop tester is very important. there are many fancy higher dollar versions. heres the one i ordered. (they also have inexpensive ph controllers/etc that i know nothing about)
http://stores.ebay.com/International-Fish-Street_Co2-System_Co2-Drop-Checker_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ11857492QQftidZ2QQt Zkm

here's the nice (i'd be jealous) drop checkers.
http://www.greenleafaquariums.com/co2-drop-checkers.html

as far as co2 proof hoseline....its basically add to your order wherever you already have an order. its relatively the same each place i looked.

for check valves it was suggested (strongly) that i go with brass since the pressure could destroy glass or plastic. I found a good deal at the http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/
but the check valves that had been recommended to me were the clippard brand. if you are ordering just 1 then use this link http://www.greenleafaquariums.com/check-valves/clippard-check-valve.html
if you want more than one, you can save money going to http://www.clippard.com/ (http://www.clippard.com/)
clippard also has many great choice as far as splitters and such. *****navigating this site can be difficult at first due to terminology. I cant get a link that will take you to the right items. so i'll have to explain how to find it. once you get to the product catalog find airvalves, then check valves, then miniature, then MCV-1BB (http://www.clippard.com/store/display_details.asp?sku=MCV-1BB). Those will also need barbs. for those...use the catalog home link on the left navigation menu, then fittings, then to connector, then CT4-PKG (http://www.clippard.com/store/display_details.asp?sku=CT4-PKG) (you will need 2 of these).

as far as diffuser/reactors I chose to use the spiro brand. since i intend to run 2 lines into one tank and 1 into another, i chose the spiro5K, which are rated for up to 35 gallons (since i have a 55 and 30 to run). initially i had ordered them from a hong kong based ebay shop (cause they were dirt cheap), but they had none in stock (which i found out days after ordering). so, i chose to go with a US based ebay store (which charged way more) in order to get my order sooner.
what you decide to do here totally depends on what size tank you have, how much co2 you want to run, whether you have a canister filter or not.... lots of things.
if you have a canister (which i dont) i have seen these recommended because you can fed the co2 into the return from the canister.
http://www.aquacave.com/co2-reactor-500-by-aquamedic-9.html
only good with canister filters because these are probably way too big for inside the tank diffusing.
ebay has lots of great deals on smaller in the tank glass diffusers.
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/AquaticMagic_CO2-Diffuser_W0QQ_fsubZ3071932QQ_sasiZ1QQ_sidZ21699354 7QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322

rolloffhill
03-14-2009, 08:36 AM
GLA for all dry ferts, tools, drop checkers ect for me...:)

masroberts9
03-16-2009, 12:25 AM
they have a nice quality stock! and they know it!

masroberts9
03-16-2009, 03:05 PM
So i just filled my cylinder today. It cost $10.71, after taxes. They had told me that hydrotesting would cost $14, if i had needed it. I went to Koetter Fire Protection Service, 214-358-3593, at

10351 Olympic Dr.
Dallas, TX 75220-4437

rolloffhill
03-16-2009, 08:26 PM
they have a nice quality stock! and they know it!

Well are you comparing apples to apples or to oranges...

They do stock quality stuff, so you can't compare it to the junk you find on ebay...JMO...

masroberts9
03-16-2009, 10:57 PM
....its like comparing apples to oranges, but the assignment was just to compare edible fruit. some of their products are available elswhere at lower prices, then some of their product i have never seen elsewhere, but it seems like the best product on the market.
as far as the check valve....I need to modify my previous statement. GLA has the best deal under 3.
1 from gla after s/h = $17.95
2 from gla after s/h = $30.95
3 from gla after s/h = $46.10
1 from clippard after s/h = $27.29
2 from clippard after s/h = $37.90
3 from clippard after s/h = $48.51

as far as the manifold...

GLA's Unknown brand
http://www.greenleafaquariums.com/co2-manifolds-splitters/co2-triple-manifold.html

and Aquacave JBJ
http://www.aquacave.com/3-outlet-co2-manifoldbr-gang-valve-by-jbj-1940.html

diffusers... ebay has the same stuff for 1/4 the price.
http://www.greenleafaquariums.com/co2-diffusers.html

ebay http://stores.shop.ebay.com/AquaticMagic__W0QQ_nkwZco2Q20diffuserQQ_armrsZ1QQ_ fromZQQ_sasiZ1
or
http://stores.ebay.com/International-Fish-Street_Co2-System_Co2-Diffuser_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ11857491QQftidZ2QQ tZkm


drop checkers..apples to oranges
ebay..
http://stores.ebay.com/International-Fish-Street_Co2-System_Co2-Drop-Checker_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ11857492QQftidZ2QQt Zkm

thats like $5 at ebay after s/h where the same one at GLA is $26 before s/h.
http://www.greenleafaquariums.com/co2-drop-checkers/gleaf-drop-checker.html

now the apples and oranges
http://www.greenleafaquariums.com/co2-drop-checkers/cal-double-check.html
Never seen those before!