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Would this kit be a good buy for the price?

Up Aqua co2 kit

gerlewis said:
Do you guys in the know think thats worth it for the price?

I suppose it depends what you compare it to. This kit is quite similar to the Hydor NRG kit, and the Dennerle Nano kit, just a lot cheaper.

gerlewis said:
Or more importantly, would that fit on to a fire extinguisher?

Nope. Or at least not as is. I've done a little research on this kit, and the company which makes them.

Their website; http://www.up-aqua.com/index.htm ... They are called UP Aquarium Supply, and are a complete nightmare to google, as up and aquarium are so common! Look for 'CO2 system for charming aquarium' on the 2nd row down and thats a more detailed look at the set.

Anyway, found an Aussie forum whose sponser sells these. They seem to be well recieved. http://www.aquariumlife.com.au/showthread.php?t=13087

The drawback with any set like this is that you are hooked on to their supply of co2 cylinders. The cheapest I can find them for is here http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3-pcs-Replace...66:2|39:1|72:1686|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50 at £28 del. It sounds dear but the hydor 74g bottles are usually over £10 each!

Doing a little more research I found this being sold on ebay too http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=180360506646 which is the same reg as in the kit but with a solenoid. The description says the cylinder uses a standard "5/8-18UNF" thread for disposable cylinders, so I suspect this may be compatible with 88g paintgun co2 cannisters, which are fairly cheap.

Anyway, I plan to give that set a go myself, but only after I sell a few things on ebay to get some funds, that way it doesnt really hurt if its not that good.

If you did go that route, there is an upgrade in the long run. A converter can be bought that lets you use 22mm threads (ie FEs) but you'd have to find some one who stocks it. I believe the Aussie forum sponser sells it for aus$25, which would be £13 before any delivery.

Oh, and one last thing, I've noticed also that most of the regs which are sold on ebay (from hong kong and the like) which have solenoids are actually made by this company. I beleive nry bought one not so long ago and he seems happy with the quality.

I guess it depends what size tank you have or plan to have. Anything over 60-80l and and each cylinder wouldnt last very long.
 
wow that was a detailed reply. Im off out for a meal now, but will digest it later (your post - not the meal!).

Thanks for all that - I suspect a cheap kit which fits standard fire extinguishers would be a better bet. no?

Ger
 
Personally I prefer 2 dial regs like this...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0432373386

You should be able to buy disposable bottles of co2 for that at around £13 tops for a 390g size from a welding suppliers.

A reg with a standard thread, so you can put it on refillable bottles, is best but then you need to find somewhere that will fill up your bottle. Take a look in the swap/sale section of the forum for bottles or fire extinguishers.
 
My tank is to be 100 litres - am/was tempted to go without co2, as im new to all this and there is so much to learn so was thinking one step at a time. Although part of me wants to go the whole hog.

Standard fitment sounds the best bet - what is the technical term for the 'standard fitment'?
 
hmm, for 100l this set would probably be quite costly in the long run.

Have you thought about using a liquid carbon supplement instead? I use this currently on my 60l, and it been doing well. The biggest issue is remembering to dose it. I've made up an all-in-one EI fert so dose both of these daily. I could probably do it every other day but I start missing a day, then double dosing etc....

If you are wanting to go the FE route, the cheapest reg & solenoid combo I found was the Wave reg from First Stop Aquatics.

If you are short on money then it might be best to sort your flow out first and dose the Liquid Carbon then invest in the FE route later.
 
I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.

But depending on your set-up and requirements could be OK(ish).

I think there are more economical ways to inject CO2 in the long run. So my opinion (and just my personal opinion) is "NO"

Get a reg and solenoid, bite the bullet spend some money now (if you can) and save loads later. I've just changed a 2kg FE CO2 cannister, lasted me 8 months on a 60ltr with solenoid.
 
I'd personally be terrified of using a flimsy reg like that on a FE.
I've tried it before and the results weren't good. I'd agree with Simon - bite the bullet and get the proper stuff!
 
Yeah, I agree with all you are saying - Think I will give this a miss
 
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