Reddit mentions: The best lab gas handling products

In another thread I provided my my step by step instructions for building your own heat wrap for fermentation vessel warming. (Can also be used for reptile cage warming.)

All steps are also detailed here: https://imgur.com/a/nhjgf

Buying the parts and assembling them yourself is much cheaper then buying the available commercial versions -- like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Brewing-FE650-FermWrap-Heater/dp/B00ODSS3LI -- as they are the same (or similar) parts assembled, at a much higher price. And that's exactly what I did.

But now I have scaled up to much larger brew vessels, I several smaller wraps -- great for 1 to 2.5 gallon vessels, that I don't need anymore. I only used them for a few weeks, so they're in like new condition.

Just like the commercially available FermWrap referenced above, my wraps use Flexwatt reptile cage heating tape -- made in the US by Calorique. After some research, I've found that there are several imitators out there, mostly made in China or Korea, and I've found many scary anecdotes involving melting and potentially dangerous issues with their products. The Calorique heat tape is a far superior product -- they invented it and own the patent on it - and it's made in Massachusetts.

And unlike the FermWraps that have a 3' cord on them, mine have an 8' cord!

FlexWatt (http://www.calorique.com/reptile-heat-2/reptile-heat-tape/) comes in different sizes, but the wraps I'm selling are based around the 6" wide strips, and are about 19" long. As I said, perfect for a 1 to 2.5 gallon jar, as well as 1 and 3 gallon carboys.

I recommend connecting them to automatic thermostats with temperature probes, so that they keep your vessels between your desired temperature range. I use Inkbird C206 10 amp controllers https://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-Temperature-Controller-50-108-F-Function/dp/B01NB8LQA8/ and so far I've been very happy with their performance.

KombuchaBrooklyn sells approximately the same thing for $20 plus shipping, and KombuchaKamp sells them for $50 w/ free shipping.

I would be happy to sell my wraps for $15 plus $7 for USPS priority flat-rate shipping, which is about what I paid for the parts.

PM me. I can ship this week. Feel free to ask any questions here, but PM me if you want to purchase.

Do you ever plan on doing 5 gallon batches? If you have the space it will be more cost effective to just go for a full size keging system. Mini kegs are going to cost you roughly what a new 5 gallon keg will.

That said if it's only a one-off thing you could use some 2 liter bottles and get yourself a co2 tank and regulator and a carbonation cap and force carb that way, it won't be on "tap" but it will be force carbonated.. and you can keep it carbonated if you leave the cap on and top off the bottle with co2 each time you pour from it.


If you have nothing then you'll need a regulator I have this one: (taprite t742hp primary double gauge co2 regulator, brass https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002UZUJ22/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_auBCDbBPZ3V0H)

A co2 tank, something like this: (5lb co2 tank- new aluminum cylinder with cga320 valve https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HQQ3WWE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_BvBCDbXPB33KP)

Some 5/16 tubing l, and a ball lock gas disconnect like this (5/16" gas line assembly - ball lock https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0064OI77Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_6wBCDbSWZWMNY)

And a carbonation cap like this : (stainless carbonation cap counter pressure bottle filling with 5/16" barb，co2 coupling to carbonate soda beer fruit juice water https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K4GGYT0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_BxBCDbK0V3J35)




I also have this regulator for my mobile mini keg set-up: Ultimate CO2 Regulator works with 5 types of CO2 tanks (0-50psi) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071J9FKVD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_nABCDbQWF87S3
It works great and I use it with a soda stream co2 tank which are a little pricey for how much co2 you get but they're convenient and available everywhere. This makes a nice compact system since you don't have the big regulator and big co2 tank.

I have a 5 lb. CO2 tank that sits on a small shelf in the back of my kegerator, with a regulator to dispense CO2 at 30PSI. The CO2 is attached to the corny keg using some 5/16" gas line and a ball-lock fitting.

The 40 ft. of beverage line is 3/16" (internal diameter) vinyl tubing that is coiled and wrapped with zipties to make sure it doesn't get tangled. Even though that sounds like a lot of line, there is only ~8 ounces of fluid in it when it is completely full. When the keg runs dry, I detach the CO2 and beverage lines, clean the keg, add about a liter of sanitized water (diluted starsan) to the keg, reattach the lines, and push the sanitized water through the beverage line. When the beverage line looks nice and clean (but still has the sanitized water in it), I can take it off and leave it in my kegerator until it's ready to use again. When I add another full keg, I just discard the first glass (which is half sanitized water and half sediment from the cold crash), and then I'm good to go.

Ammosorb is useless. It's really only useful if you live next to a swamp or abattoir.

You really need to positively ID the NOx, and quantify how much.

A Draegar tube like this will work.

You also need to purchase a hand pump that fits the tubes. You can probably find a cheaper used hand pump on ebay.

Google the Draegar manual and it will explain how to use the pump, how to do the measurement and how to convert the reading into a concentration.

Fluval sells this simple kit. It does get expensive replacing their specialized cartridges, but it's a good place to start if you're only ready to get your toes wet.

If you want to go bigger, it'll cost more upfront, but is cheaper to maintain.

Amazon Shopping list for CO2 under $200:

Cheap Regulator. There are better/nicer/higher quality ones out there. This one is cheap and okay.

Drop Checker

Diffuser

Check Valve

CO2 tubing

Thread tape

Adjustable wrench

5lb cylinder less than $15 to fill at gas supply store

I use Excel ( I actually buy it in bulk 10 gallons at a time and dilute it myself ) with my CO2 BUT I don't use it as a carbon but instead as an algaecide. The supplement is just a bonus. Polycytoglucolsomene (botched it, but that's what's in Excel) is a strong medical cleaner that's been diluted for the aquarium. It changes the DNA/RNA of algae to prevent replication. Some plants do not like this.

https://youtu.be/eIj67-zOrGk

Watch that video.


The co2 tank I use https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HQQ3WWE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_dzYNsK4I2fzHX

So here we go,

First off a Danby 4.4 Cu Ft fridge, something like this. I got this off of some one on craigslist for a $100. I tried to talk them down but some one had informed them that the fridge was valuable to home brewers.

The tap tower was purchased on amazon.

The line connections were also purchased there, since the ones that came on the tower were incorrect for the five gallon kegs.

The temperature controller was also purchased on amazon. Really amazon was my go to.

Here is the CO2 tank I anticipate buying. I haven't really picked out a regulator yet.

Ferts - http://greenleafaquariums.com
Co2 Regulator - http://aquaforestaquarium.com/collections/co2-systems/products/copy-of-archaea-co2-regulator-pro-dual-gauge-fits-cga-320
5lb Co2 tank - https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HQQ3WWE/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3ONOLGNT00SR9. Co2 diffuser - https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005MLTRR4/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Bubble counter - https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004GCPM6K/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Co2 Drop Checker - http://m.ebay.com/itm/New-Aquatic-CO2-Glass-Drop-Checker-PH-Momitor-Aquarium-Fish-Tank-Test-CO2-Kit-/391351972319?varId=660586838351&txnId=650126189026 Co2 tubing and check valve - http://aquaforestaquarium.com/collections/co2-systems/products/pressure-proof-tube-parts-set
Co2 Drop Checker Solution - http://aquaforestaquarium.com/collections/co2-systems/products/ph-kit-ph-reagent-refill-for-drop-checker

That should be everything. I would look into EI dosing too. Especially if you're going with dry ferts. You'll have to find a place near you that can fill the Co2 tank. I get mine filled at Beer Depot. Any home brewery store will have the equipment necessary to refill a 5lb Co2 tank. Welding stores also refill Co2 tanks. If you're really luck, you may have an awesome LFS that refills tanks too. If I missed anything, or if you have any more questions, please let me know. =)

When starting up my CO2 I gave in and bought a tank and solenoid regular off of amazon both totaling a bit over $100 with some lucky sales. I've used Flourish Excel before but haven't noticed anything substantial until using pressurized system. Tank and Solenoid. The tank is on sale currently I might just buy another one, the 5lb tank with this solenoid sits perfectly under my aquarium stand and works with the space in my stand builds.

If I were to use CO2 on my 10g I would buy a smaller tank like their 2.5lb size and another solenoid. I've never gassed fish nor do any of us want to try, I'd rather have a reliable setup that is cheaper in the long run vs buying the smaller overpriced kits.

Overdosing excel can kill algae but I did just find this.

40 gallons is going to be pushing on what you can accomplish with DIY, so I would avoid going that route, as you wont wind up happy.

As for what you will need, it is really very simple, but not particularly cheap. You need a CO2 tank, a regualtor, bubble counter, diffusor and gas line.

CO2. Go with a 5 or 10 lb tank. If you can find used even better as most places just swap tanks when you fill them, so you get your new shiny aluminum tank, bring it to get filled, they take it and give you a banged up used one back. A 5lb tank should last 3-4 months depending on how many bubbles per second you are pumping

Regulator with Bubble Counter and solenoid, the solenoid is what shuts off flow of CO2 at night, when plugged into a timer. Plants don't utilize CO2 at night, so continuing to pump it into the tank is just wasting gas. Keep it on the same cycle as your lights, or better yet, and hour behind, so it turns on and hour before the lights come on, and off an hour before the lights go off.

Diffuser, you can spend a little or a lot here. I dont really see the need to spend a ton with this part. You do want to see if the unit has a check valve though, and if not, you will need to add one between the bubble counter and diffuser to prevent a back siphoning.

Gas tubing very important you get tubing rated for CO2 gas. Do not use regular air line of the gas will eat right through it

Sorry to keep bugging you but does something like this seem like it would work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CO2-Regulator-aquarium-Two-Gauge-Solenoid-Magnetic-Valve-CGA320-US-thread-110V-/272333167283?hash=item3f68525ab3:g:YSEAAOSwyLlXprmJ

https://www.amazon.com/Tank--Aluminum-Cylinder-CGA320-Valve/dp/B00HQQ3WWE/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1472673301&sr=8-7&keywords=5+lb+co2+tank (actually found it for 5 bucks cheaper here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HQQ3WWE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3L3Q6EPZRMXO8)

That gets me to ~$110 for full setup as I realized I have a power head I can feed the co2 into for dispersal.

Thanks for your responses.

I've gone the DIY c02 route and it is just not worth it. You can buy a regulator and 5lb tank off amazon for like 120$ and that will set you up for a year. Then it's like 15$ per refill. You can dial the c02 to whatever level your tank needs. IMHO I'd get pressurized c02 just so I don't have to deal with algae problems.

The number of hours spent refilling soda bottles, growing yeast, cleaning, dealing with c02 swings and no precise control with very very little benefit to show for it. Easily cost more than 120$ in time, effort and supplies.

Tank

Regulator

Yep, temp probe as close to the beer as possible and you're in good shape.

If you want to measure from the middle of the wort, you can use a thermowell, like this:

Eagle Brewing FE612 Stopper Thermowell https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ODSS3Q8/

I haven't tested rigorously, but I'd assume it's at least SOMEWHAT more accurate.

PM me if you'd like mine. I got a new fermenter recently that has one built in, so you're welcome to my old one.

fermwrap is my choice of heat. works great and keeps the whole chamber warm. I usually wrap it around the newest beer(along with the temp probe) and let the older beer ride!

These are pretty popular, and cheap. The only time I didn't use mine I couldn't get my beer to go below 1.03

I'm glad you said something because I wouldn't have known anything about this. I'm using a very small 5lb gas cylinder like this. Do you think Air Liquide would have any concern about this tank? I was planning on putting it in the back seat of my 4runner..

Yeah there's a discount if you return the canister.

Or you could probably buy in bulk:

https://www.amazon.com/Tank-Aluminum-Cylinder-CGA320-Valve/dp/B00HQQ3WWE

https://www.amazon.com/External-CGA-320-System-Adapter-stainless/dp/B01GIL5EUU/

I wish Soda Stream them self just sold larger canisters so I don't need to change it out so often. Would be cheaper for them and for me too due to marginal cost scaling.

Below are most of parts that are needed for the kettle and electronics controller. I don't think I forgot anything. You would obviously need to be a little handy and have some tools like files, a drill, etc.

--

Let me know if you have any other questions!

--



Item| Count | Cost | Link
---|---|----|----
Kettle - SS Brewtech 15 gal|1|$239.00|https://www.homebrewsupply.com/ss-brewtech-15-gallon-stainless-steel-kettle.html
Weldless 1.5" TC|1|$24.00|https://www.brewhardware.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=TC15WLF
Hole saw for 1.5" weldless TC|1|$19.00|https://www.brewhardware.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=holesaw40
Pump|1|$94.99|https://www.brewhardware.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Mark2SS
Tri-Clamp Fitting|1|$7.48|https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073J5MHRP/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
1/2" bulkhead|1|$8.50|https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IJI0TH4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
1/2" Npt ball valve for pump|1|$12.99|https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0734QDGZW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s04?ie=UTF8&psc=1
1/2" ID silocne tubing|1|$19.61|https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074Q6QF9S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Spray Wort Aerator|1|$6.66|https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ODSS5J8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
||||
Electronics|||
10x8x6 Wall Mount Box w/ 40A heatsink|1|$75.55|https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=34&products_id=616
RTD probe|1|$64.95|https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20_15&products_id=767
High Amp Main Switch|1|$12.00|https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=69_32&products_id=586
120v 15A Socket|2|$1.95|https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=34&products_id=274
120v 10A Rocker Switch|2|$1.80|https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=69_32&products_id=435
Fuse holder (pack of 5)|1|$2.99|https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AQWXW9S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Nema L6-30 socket 30A 240V|1|$12.39|https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00002NAT9/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s04?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Nema L14-30 Extension cord for main power|1|$56.00|https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072F8P2SN/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Nema L6-30 Power cord for Element|1|$29.95|https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07935M281/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
240v 5500W heating element|1|$60.00|https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075KCJX8W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Inkbird PID temp Controller|1|$23.99|https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LQ8TPDC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

some pro use these for shows when they don't have compressors

https://www.amazon.com/Kegco-I22-580-Nitrogen-Pressure-Aluminum/dp/B0037B3BLE/ref=sr_1_10?crid=2IXYSOPAOBSUI&keywords=high+pressure+air+tank&qid=1566535229&s=gateway&sprefix=high+pressure+air+t%2Caps%2C179&sr=8-10

hope that helped

Yea I feel ya. I'm getting this co2 tank with this regulator

I wanted to get the 5lb cause it will last a long time and is only like $15 to refill at the welding supply near me. I hopefully won't have to upgrade until I get my 250g tank and ill be getting a 20lb for that one.

Yeah, you're right. You want something that has more surface area than the opening of the spigot itself, otherwise it would likely get clogged. From experience, I have a steel braided tube, and have had no issues over many batches.

I would say go for the braided tube at first. They are generally pretty cheap. This one is only $20, but I think I got the exact same one for around $8. You may want to dig for some sales.

You can easily pull off brew in a bag all grain brewing. Just buy a giant grain bag that fits around your kettle. This is the cheapest and most space-efficient method.

Alternatively, you can buy a 10g rubbermaid mash tun and drain into your boil kettle.

Try amazon, this one says they can ship to finland. Shipping would be ~30 bucks though. Might buy the whole assembly in that case.

Ball Lock and hose

Coupler and valve assembly

As for getting the tank filled, I would go to your nearest bar or restaurant that uses co2 for their soda/beer and just see who their vendor is.

I agree I linked an item from kind of a random website, but check out the Amazon value. Also check out What's Brewing Supply in Palatine, they filled mine for $12 or so.

For temp control, you want something like This to control your heating/cooling, and a Carboy Wrap to heat your FV up.

If you get a thermowell you can put the temp probe down in your fermentation vessel, rather than just taping it to the side - you'll get more accurate readings. Downside is you can't set up a proper 1" blowoff hose, and counter-intuitively the first few days of fermentation (When you really need a blowoff hose) are the most critical to temp control (Based on what I've read in other threads here)... Might work well if you get a 6.5 gallon carboy, and do 5 gallon batches in it, so you've got extra head space for all the krausen. You can also use some standard size siphon hose as a blowoff, it's just more prone to clogging than 1" hose.

As an aside, if you're already spending $130, you may want to consider spending the extra $20 and just having a pre-built one shipped to you.

Define bulk?

I saw this but it's the US site. On the canadian site the same thing is conveniently priced at $1500+.

There are plenty of plastic ones out there, too.

This is what I use

Ill second the list /u/asr provided, I have exactly the same stuff except for the co2 tank. I bought this 5 pounder for 42 bucks, it costs $10 to fill (for me). When I went to the beverage distributor to fill it they had the same tank, filled... for $40 bucks, lol.

It's not thousands of dollars. Likely a few hundred IFF everything is broke. Likely nothing is broke and it just needs to be clicked back in.

See these are used as a safety measure.

They connect the hose to a smaller hose on the pumping station, and are designed to break away under between 100 and 200 lbs depending on the grade. Worst case scenario it's a fail away and not a break away. Though break away are MUCH more common.

A break away can reconnect safely, a fail away seals itself shut hard. Either way, at most it's ~$100 part.

Why would you go for a shitty paintball setup when you could have really high quality two-stage regulator for 15£≈20$ more, not includimg a CO2-cylinder?

Another option with only a single-stage regulator, this is prone to a end-of-tank-dump, but you can read the fillimg status on the second manometer

Simply get your CO2-cylinder locally. Or from Amazon

edit: To expand on this: Both setups paintball setups are bad. The pressure regulator that fits on a piantball-cylinder does not have a manometer to measure the pressure inside the bottle, so the end-of-tank-dump will likely happen, because you have no way to anticipate it.

IMO: Go for the dual-stage system. No worries about end-of-tank-dumps and a system that will last your whole life as aquarist.