CO2 manifold in the UK?

EssexPete

Prolific Poster
Aug 13, 2006
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Billericay, Essex, UK
I'm adding a 2nd reactor to my tank to be run from a single CO2 cylinder.
I had intended buying the manifold and needle valves from Rex Grigg, but he doesn't accept PayPal funded via credit cards.
I can't fund PayPal via my Citibank a/c as Citibank do not support it.
So it seems I can't buy the manifold/needle valves from Rex.....

Does anyone know where I can get hold of a 2-port CO2 manifold in the UK?

Thanks
Pete
 

Tom Barr

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Jan 23, 2005
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Re: CO2 manifold in the UK?

DIY, they should sell the parts at an hardware store.
Send Rex a cheque/money order etc.

Ask a friend to buy it for you and pay them, 3rd party sales etc.

Regards,
Tom Barr
 

EssexPete

Prolific Poster
Aug 13, 2006
43
0
6
Billericay, Essex, UK
Re: CO2 manifold in the UK?

Cheers Tom

I called an aquatic supplier I've delt with over the years in Scotland and he described (at enourmous length) how they do it..

They use a CO2 proof T peice and 2 CO2 proof plastic valves - he said they use a single CO2 cylinder per 6 tanks via this method and some of the distances from cylinder to tank are over 100'. He admitted it is fiddly getting the balance right, but he assured me that once set they don't tend to drift...........

The cost is minimal so I ordered it and am keeping my fingers crossed - proof of the pudding etc....
I'll post an update when it's working - or not

If it doesn't work, then I've found some other US-based suppliers who will ship 2-port manifold with needle valves to the UK for under $50

Best wishes
Pete
 

Tom Barr

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Re: CO2 manifold in the UK?

Never use plastic valves.............ever!!!

Always use metal!!!

The plastic has a very high expansion coefficent compared to metals......
So when it gets warm/cold, the plastic expands/contracts and closes off the flow.

Use the metal needle valves always.

It's worth the extra $$ to get a good needle valve!!!!!!
Several places sell them.

Regards,
Tom Barr
 

EssexPete

Prolific Poster
Aug 13, 2006
43
0
6
Billericay, Essex, UK
Re: CO2 manifold in the UK?

Yikes - didn't relaise it was 1 of the 10 commandments.

I'm still trying to find a way of ordering from Rex or I can order from a US store but P&P at $30 is heavy going, and there will be a 20% surchage from HM Customs - making the overall cost around $100

I'll use to plastic bits initially but will get the proper metal stuff as soon as I can get hold of it for a sensible cost.

Thanks
Pete
 

EssexPete

Prolific Poster
Aug 13, 2006
43
0
6
Billericay, Essex, UK
Re: CO2 manifold in the UK?

Thanks Tom - needle valves are quite widely available, it's the manifold I can't get hold of here.
I've called/emailed a lot of aqua stores and gas equipment suppliers - none of them has heard of a manifold to split CO2 from a single CO2 bottle nor have they any suggestions apart from a 2nd CO2 tank and reg...

No doubt we'll catch-up in a few years time :rolleyes:

Just a thought.... could I thake the output from my existing needle valve (CO2 tubing), use a CO2 proof (dare I mention the word) plastic T peice and put the needle valves you suggested in-line to each reactor?

I'm waitinig to hear back from PayPal if there's some way I can put funds in my PP a/c that doesn't require electronic transfer - Citiabnk do not allow it to PP !
Then I can order from Rex

All the best
Pete
 

Tom Barr

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Jan 23, 2005
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Re: CO2 manifold in the UK?

Your idea is a manifold actually.........

You simply go down to the hardware store, get some similar sized brass Tee's w3ith threads, add some teflon tape and make your own set of Tee's.

See the pic:

manifoldresized.jpg


maniresized.jpg
 

Tom Barr

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Jan 23, 2005
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Re: CO2 manifold in the UK?

Good deal, I think I must have made the first ones back over a decade ago now.
Everyone was like, "Hey! that works!"

Regards,
Tom Barr