Building my 1st CO2 - need advice & sources

[Larry Grenier]

GLA and aquariumplants.com seen to be quality but really expensive so here's what I'm think for my 180gallon and my 65gallon tanks using 1 CO2 cylinder. Yes, that's right, I'm picking your brains like a vulture

AZOO Regulator with Solenoid --> 2 or 3 way splitter/manifold (no bubble counter) --> needle valve for each --> check valve for each --> diffusor for each (The kind I can see atomized bubbles in the tank).

My questions are:
1) AZOO OK? Or or suggest another without busting the bank
2) Please suggest a good splitter/manifold and needle valve (built together or seperate)
3) I'm looking at GLA's Atomic diffusors but open to suggestions

Where to buy would be nice too

Thanks in advance

[Cristy Keister]

I can't speak to their longevity, but I have an Azoo that has worked for a year. Mine came with a needle valve. You can get a good needle valve from Fabco (http://store.fabco-air.com/products.php?cat=113): NV-55 or NV-55-18 depending on whether you have a 1/8" or 10/32 port.

[Aaron]

There are a lot of good threads on Planted Tank and Aquatic Plant Central on how to build your own regulator if you want something that will really hold up well over time. The Fabco needle valves that Cristy suggested are great little needle valves for not too much money. Once you know what to look for a good quality used 2 stage regulator can be had on Ebay with some hunting.

I've not had any experience with the Azoo regulator so I can't speak to its reliability.

Grab a beverage...
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showt ... =regulator

[Aaron]

Here's a good one here:http://www.usedlabequipment.com/lab_equ ... _20042.php

Looks like you'll have to call for a quote.

[Aaron]

Another one that could work. A lot of these will work, but need to have a CGA-320 fitting put on so they can be used on a CO2 tank.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Used-Victor-Com ... 2ecb85ebcf