calcium reactor question?

[Speedy5200]

Can anybody tell me the purpose of having the soilonoid with your CO2 guage for a calcium reactor, and is it necessary?
I am getting ready to buy a calcium reactor and I was wondering if I could get by with just buying a cheap guage set, without that expensive solonoid.
Thanks,
speedy

 

[myreef]

The solenoid valve will shut off the supply of CO2 to your tank if the power goes out. You can also hook it up to a controller and if your tank hits a specified pH it can shut off your CO2 and the turn it back on when the pH rises. Is it necessary? No, but I like the safe guard of turning off my CO2 tank. HTH

 

[Rick O]

I'm not sure you could fine tune the bubble rate without a needle valve. Even with the needle valve a very small adjustment makes a big difference.

 

[myreef]

I agree with Rick. I was just thinking of the solenoid valve. You will definitely need either a needle valve or a flowmeter. Flowmeters are fairly expensive, so go with the needle valve. But you could get a dual gauge regulator from www.morebeer.com for $55 and a precision needle valve from www.premiumaquatics.com for $19 and have a nice unit. There is also a person that makes them with solenoid valve included for $115. You get a the gauge, clippard needle valve, and solenoid valve. His website is http://www.geocities.com/cerretasaquahut/index.html His name is Scott...great guy. I just got one of these for my second reactor I am about to set up. It is a nicely built unit. HTH