full Co2 setup recommendation please

[Dom]

OK,

So, I'm thinking the time has come for me to start looking at a complete CO2 setup.  I was told (by a sales person that I would need the following for my 60gal:

a tank for the CO2 (can my old diving tank work?)
CO2 gas
Aqua Medic co2 reg
Aqua Medic solenoid valve
Aqua Medic Bubble counter
Aqua Medic CO2 reactor
water pump of flow rate from (20 to 50GPH)
and of course the very expensive Pinpoint PH controller

I would love to hear from the experts who have been using CO2 systems for a while what they think and what they can suggest for me please.  I know a full system is quite expensive and of course I would love to save as much money as possible so I don't want to make a purchase I'll regret down the road.

Any and all info welcome and VERY MUCH appreciated    

Many thanks in advance.

Dom

[BigDaddy]

The pinpoint controller is a TOY.  An expensive toy, but a toy.  It is not a REQUIREMENT for CO2 injection.

Bubble counters are useless as well most of the time.  Especially since the reactor you mention is clear, and with the pump off, you can see the bubbles entering the chamer.... gee that would be a bubble counter!   :lol:

I don't know if your diving tank would work.  It has to be certified to hold CO2.  I thought I remembered someone saying O2 tanks didn't do it.. but I might be wrong.

Here's what you really need for a pressurized setup

A 5 lb CO2 tank filled
A dual gauge regulator with a needle valve
CO2 resistant tubing
Some form of reactor

You can build reactors similar to the Aquamedic for tens of dollars instead of hundreds.

Essentially, pressurized has a high start up cost, but then there is no cost down the road.

You could go yeast/sugar.. but then there is the maintenance and the constant replacing of the mix.....

If you are going to be at the meeting this month, I will be bringing in a DIY rig and a pressurized rig and discussing them in relative depth.