[ldzielak]

If you build your own reactor, the way I look at it the CO2 system is the biggest expense. From what I could find when I was looking regulators were $100+ depending on guages and such. I was lucky that my dad had a reg I could use. I did have to purchase the correct fitting for the tank, most regulators are not gas specific.

Then I needed a tank. Up here in Campbell River, I could not find any local refill places if I had my own tank. So I went to Praxair, used my company name and rented a tank for a year $65. Then each refill was $36 (I have had a guage and a solenoid fail, so this has cost me more than I expect, I should get more than a year out of a 20lbs tank!!) I was going to get a 5lb tank from KMS, but I wouldn't be able to refill it up here. So now I'm stuck with renting for now.

Also consider where you want to put the tank. 20lbs rental are big and ugly. I can just fit it on my reactor/skimmer shelf.

Lee