Willapa Posted March 31, 2020 Share Posted March 31, 2020 I couldn’t bring myself to drop $350 on a carbon doser but wanted something more constant than a single stage regulator commonly sold for reef tanks. I got inspired by the reef central thread below. The process was really fun and I learned a lot. I was able to buy all the parts shipped on eBay for $200. It took a while to hunt parts down, so if you’re not in a hurry, you can build a very nice analytical grade 2 stage regulator for a decent price. 2 stage regulators deliver constant supply pressure regardless of the cylinder pressure or level. So supposedly don’t dump CO2 when it gets low. The air gas regulator is chrome plated brass, but the needle valve, solenoid, fittings, and check valve are all stainless. Check it out!Can’t wait to get this going.http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2461771 Here are all the parts before assembly: Here is the finished regulator after leak testing passed: Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bicyclebill Posted March 31, 2020 Share Posted March 31, 2020 Very nice! I bought one from Charles (Wanareef) a few years back that he built up the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenbasketreef Posted March 31, 2020 Share Posted March 31, 2020 Nice build, I was using some chrome brass connectors and showing oxidation fast. Stainless connector part is the way to go. I use digital solenoid like this one, very low amp 12vdc solenoid so didn't get hot at all 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willapa Posted March 31, 2020 Author Share Posted March 31, 2020 Nice build, I was using some chrome brass connectors and showing oxidation fast. Stainless connector part is the way to go. I use digital solenoid like this one, very low amp 12vdc solenoid so didn't get hot at allThanks and good to know about the solenoid. The burkert I used is 24v 4w but does get super hot.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bicyclebill Posted March 31, 2020 Share Posted March 31, 2020 Nice build, I was using some chrome brass connectors and showing oxidation fast. Stainless connector part is the way to go. I use digital solenoid like this one, very low amp 12vdc solenoid so didn't get hot at allWhere did you find that solenoid? That website shown in picture no longer existsSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willapa Posted March 31, 2020 Author Share Posted March 31, 2020 Where did you find that solenoid? That website shown in picture no longer existsSent from my iPhone using TapatalkTry thishttps://www.diyco2regulator.com/co2-regulator-solenoidSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertareef Posted March 31, 2020 Share Posted March 31, 2020 5 minutes ago, Willapa said: Try thishttps://www.diyco2regulator.com/co2-regulator-solenoid Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk they apparently use a modified (low volume) version of the Clippard in the Carbon Doser regulators so these should work well. I rebuilt one recently so had to dig into it a bit. I can't confirm the "custom" aspect of the aquariumplants.com part but ended up getting it from them just in case as it wasn't that much more money. Would be curious though if anyone used one of the standard Clippard parts to try and rework one of those units or build their own electronic controlled version (basically just tying one of these to a timer chip). Seems like someone in this crowd must have gone there 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenbasketreef Posted March 31, 2020 Share Posted March 31, 2020 (edited) 4 hours ago, Bicyclebill said: Where did you find that solenoid? That website shown in picture no longer exists Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Clippard sells direct to public including the manifold Clippard.com Model DV-2M-12 Manifold 15490-5 Edited March 31, 2020 by goldenbasketreef Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenbasketreef Posted March 31, 2020 Share Posted March 31, 2020 3 hours ago, albertareef said: they apparently use a modified (low volume) version of the Clippard in the Carbon Doser regulators so these should work well. I rebuilt one recently so had to dig into it a bit. I can't confirm the "custom" aspect of the aquariumplants.com part but ended up getting it from them just in case as it wasn't that much more money. Would be curious though if anyone used one of the standard Clippard parts to try and rework one of those units or build their own electronic controlled version (basically just tying one of these to a timer chip). Seems like someone in this crowd must have gone there 😁 Carbon Doser using mechanical clippard solenoid that you can buy at electronic surplus place in Hillsboro 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenbasketreef Posted March 31, 2020 Share Posted March 31, 2020 Foe the metering valve I use this brand Ideal Valve Inc., Model V54-1-12 / P/N 211727-18 It is not SS valve if you want SS just ask the agent for same valve but in SS 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClark Posted April 1, 2020 Share Posted April 1, 2020 Awesome job! A good regulator absolutely upped my CR game. It was nuts before it. Looks like a great quality build! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willapa Posted April 1, 2020 Author Share Posted April 1, 2020 Awesome job! A good regulator absolutely upped my CR game. It was nuts before it. Looks like a great quality build! Thanks! There are great deals to be had on eBay if you’re willing to hunt for a while and know what parts are suitable. Can’t wait to get the tank switched over to the reactor.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClark Posted April 1, 2020 Share Posted April 1, 2020 2 hours ago, Willapa said: Thanks! There are great deals to be had on eBay if you’re willing to hunt for a while and know what parts are suitable. Can’t wait to get the tank switched over to the reactor. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk For sure! That is where I picked mine up. Now that you are rocking it, you should build more and resell! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuisPerez711 Posted May 4, 2020 Share Posted May 4, 2020 What type of 24vdc power supply/adapter are you using for the Clippard solenoid? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willapa Posted May 5, 2020 Author Share Posted May 5, 2020 What type of 24vdc power supply/adapter are you using for the Clippard solenoid? Thanks.If you’re talking about the clippard that @goldenbasketreef called out, that one looks to be 12v dc. Any 12v dc power adapter rated for 1 amp or less should work. The berkert I used was 24v dc and I had a power adapter from a broken jaebo pump lying around that worked. You might have an adapter that size from an unused electronic or just buy one off amazon for 10 bucks.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bicyclebill Posted May 5, 2020 Share Posted May 5, 2020 If you’re talking about the clippard that @goldenbasketreef called out, that one looks to be 12v dc. Any 12v dc power adapter rated for 1 amp or less should work. The berkert I used was 24v dc and I had a power adapter from a broken jaebo pump lying around that worked. You might have an adapter that size from an unused electronic or just buy one off amazon for 10 bucks.Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkThat’s the beauty that many miss. It’s literally just a transformer to a voltage with general amp output, not some proprietary product that will blow up anything other than what’s namedSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuisPerez711 Posted May 5, 2020 Share Posted May 5, 2020 Awesome! Appreciate the feedback 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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