+ACampbell Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 Hey guys, I should have all the parts coming in tomorrow to complete my Ca reactor setup. I've never set one up before, so I just trying to get it all figured out. I'm confused on how the tubing physically attaches to the Co2 bottle. Here's a pic showing the tip of it. You can see that it's threaded, so is something suppose to screw on? Am I missing a part? The tip is only about 1/4" and won't allow the tubing to stay on by itself. Pic of Regulator: Rest of Ca Reactor setup minus pH controller, a few pumps, etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Entropy Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 That be where the hose hooks on. I think your model is designed to use a nut with a hole in the middle (I know there is a name, but I am tired) to tighten down the tubing. Looks like this (random google search pic, all rights reserved to the owner, blah blah blah) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ACampbell Posted August 21, 2007 Author Share Posted August 21, 2007 Anyone know where I can get that part. This has been very frustrating trying to get everything needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Entropy Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 Home Depot should have it I would think in the plumbing section. I would think most of the weld shops would have it too, but maybe not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ACampbell Posted August 21, 2007 Author Share Posted August 21, 2007 Home Depot is becoming my kryptonite. Hope I can find it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedude Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 Agree completely, it should be 1/4" I THINK but I could be wrong (Home Depot is also my kryptonite). I'd bring the regulator with you and search for the nut. After that, you jam the piece of tubing over the threads then screw the nut down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ACampbell Posted August 21, 2007 Author Share Posted August 21, 2007 Do I need to use a special fluid in my bubble counter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKarshens Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 If I understand it correctly it should fill on its own once you turn on the feed pump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beretta Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 If it's like most regulators, it won't fill with liquid on its own, because the gas is running in one direction through your bubble counter. If you don't have one already, you should have a check valve inline between the bubble counter and where it goes into the calc reactor to keep water from getting in your regulator. I just fill mine on my FW tank with tap water (I'd use RO water if I had it handy at my office), although I do have to refill it every couple of months. You can use glycerine in them, and that won't evaporate, but I've had a hard time finding straight glycerine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKarshens Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 Well mine filled up when I turned on the feed pump so maybe each one is different. Good call on the check valve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beretta Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 I don't know how a ca reactor works, but I'm guessing what happened is the feed pump pumped water back into the bubble counter. As long as the solenoid had the valve closed, you should be ok. The problem comes in when you get water into those regulators, as it is very bad to get water into those membranes. That's why I always have a check valve inline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ACampbell Posted August 22, 2007 Author Share Posted August 22, 2007 Feed pump, circulation pump and bubble counter all came in as expected. I got all the fittings on, I just need that stinking piece for my regulator. It Seems HD, Lowes, Pep boys don't have a 3/16 compression cap. Well at least I figured out it was 3/16ths. Anyone know where else I can look? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beretta Posted August 22, 2007 Share Posted August 22, 2007 Try Airgas. They have regulators and other stuff. If they don't have it, ask them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ACampbell Posted August 22, 2007 Author Share Posted August 22, 2007 NoGo on Airgas. The guy gave me a funny look too. Any other suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beretta Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 Hmmm, I'm running out of places locally. You can try this website, as he carries a lot of parts for regulators. Only other place I can think of one of the homebrew places. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headless_donkey Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 Austin Home Brew? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beretta Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 Yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ACampbell Posted August 29, 2007 Author Share Posted August 29, 2007 Homebrew was awesome, but no luck. I emailed Marine Depot (where the regulator is originally from) but they don't carry the part. Project is at a stand still. I may be forced to buy a new regulator if I want to get it running anytime soon, but it's $150 for a new regulator vs a $5 compression nut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beretta Posted August 29, 2007 Share Posted August 29, 2007 If you can find a small hose clamp, that would probably work in a pinch. It's not like the line is under high pressure, so as long as there is a decent seal around the bubble counter, it shouldn't come off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headless_donkey Posted August 29, 2007 Share Posted August 29, 2007 I like that idea! It's something I would do. Do I know if it is a good idea? Nope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ACampbell Posted September 6, 2007 Author Share Posted September 6, 2007 Well I've given up hope of finding the compression nut. I'm hoping one of the LFS can get one in for me, but in the meantime I've taken Berettas advice and got a small hose clamp. I was planning on using a Maxi 900 for recirculation, however I couldn't get it to stop leaking. It's not leaking from the hose connection but the pump itself. I guess these weren't made to be used externally. Can someone recommend a pump that can be used externally? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headless_donkey Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 Mag drives can be used, but I have heard they leak as well. Joseph was selling an external pump. I don't know what GPH you needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKarshens Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 Why do you need it to run external? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ACampbell Posted September 6, 2007 Author Share Posted September 6, 2007 Why do you need it to run external? Check out the pic of my CA reactor. Theres no room in my sump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKarshens Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 Oh you mean to run the reactor itself? I thought you meant to feed the reactor. Yeah a mag pump would be perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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