Where did you get your oxygen tank regulator?

[JennM]

I'm looking to replace the regulator I use on my oxygen tank for fish packing. The one I have has a push-pin inflator, and it's a PITA to use. No extension hose, no nozzle... it's functional but there has to be a better way...

I'm looking for a regulator with an extension hose/nozzle, so I can leave the tank where it is (safe from being knocked over, and secured to the wall, where it is now) but I can run an extension hose closer to where I bag the fish.

Can anybody help?

Jenn

 

[John_Brandt]

BINGO!

http://www.aquaticeco.com/aquatic1v...&eflag=0&iteminfo4=0&itmid=358&passitemid=358

:wink:

 

[JennM]

Thanks John, that's what I'm looking for -- but it's more than twice what I paid for my current regulator.

Anybody else have some more inexpensive suggestions!?

Jenn

 

[John_Brandt]

Jenn,

They also sell a 10 foot extension hose, if you can live with your present nozzle.

John

 

[JennM]

I think I need to replace the whole regulator although I need to take a good look at it... the one I have presently has a pin, I have to put the bag against the pin and then push the valve straight back and it fills the bag - release the pressure and the valve shuts - the regulator is brass and it's beginning to turn a bit green from the humidity/dampness of the bags, and sometimes the danged thing sticks on. I lease the tank from a welding company and when I got it last year I explained what I needed the regulator for, and that's what they rigged -- it was about $60. I don't *think* I can replace the pin with a hose/nozzle because it's the pin that stops the oxygen from flooding out -- but without pushing the pin, none will come out, if that makes any sense.

I'll go look at that stuff again at the link you posted -- would really like to just be able to clean up my existing regulator and add to it, but not sure that's possible.

I'm at home now but I'll look more closely at my existing regulator tomorrow.

Cheers,
Jenn

 

[JennM]

Bummer that nobody else in this INDUSTRY forum can help me with this simple little issue....

Back to your regularly scheduled MAC debate....

Jenn

 

[dizzy]

Jenn,
I think we just got our regulator from the gas company that we rent the O2 cylinders from. You can buy a nozzle and hose at Home Depot or Lowes that is used for airing up tires or stuff like that. You know compressor parts. (tool room) They have all the fitting at Lowes or HD including a short nipple. Go to the plumbing section or there with the compressors and demand some service. It is as simple as matching up the fittings.

 

[JennM]

Thanks! That's what I was looking for!

I examined my existing regulator - the pin valve is screwed on with plumber's tape (it's a brass fitting, both pieces) and so pehaps if we bring the pin valve for sizing, we can swap that for a connector, hose and a rubber nozzle.

Many thanks!

Jenn

 

[JennM]

Thanks to all two of you who replied We got it!

I already had a regulator, so we bought a 25', 300 PSI compressor hose for $11 at Home Pee-pot (hehe our affectionate name for the place since we have spent so much there, we don't have a pot to pee in, or a window to throw it out...). Adaptor coupling $2.49 at same, and I had to REALLY call around but found a rubber tilt valve at a welding place that carries helium supplies, for $4.95. (Aquatic Eco wanted $14.95 for the same piece!) Grand total, about $20 with tax. The original regulator cost me $59 from the other welding place where I lease my oxygen tank from. $79 all told, that's about half of what Aquatic Ecosystems wanted, if you factor in shipping too...

Now, instead of having the tank at the end of my bagging station counter, it's in the back room. We drilled a hole in the wall with a hole saw, and put a bulkhead fitting in the hole, and ran the hose through that. So...tank is secured to a back-room wall, safer than it was before (it was safely secured previously, but now it's out of sight too...) and a neat tidy hose with tilt valve is there at my disposal.

Bag 'em up!

Jenn

 

[Anonymous]

How necessary is it to have an oxygen tank for bagging fish? I've never used one in my shop.

 

[JennM]

Well some of my customers come from far away - so at least with oxgen the fish are good for 48 hours as long as their temp is maintained.

Do you not oxygenate or otherwise aerate your fish bags??

Jenn

 

[Anonymous]

Nope, just a quick grab and some rubber bands. It's airtight and 2/3 full of air when we're through. Most of our customers are under 30 minutes away. And we have 200 tanks in the store, and on a busy Saturday are bagging for 5-6 customers at a time. Not sure if O2 would even be feasable. Have never had any problems so far though. I can see why you'd need it for 48 hours though.

 

[JennM]

Well 48 hours is extreme but it's doable. I have customers who are several hours away, like in Columbus and Macon. Plus if I ever want to ship stuff...

I never had any luck just grabbing a handful of air - the oxygen spout is handy, and I lease the tank and just call for replacement/refill when needed - one tank lasts a LONG time.

Jenn

 

[Anonymous]

Yup - we don't use o2 either - same technique quick grab and twist - knot. When I have customer's that are traveling longer than one hour - I just use a larger bag.

I actually have a "regular" from Switzerland. He comes into town on business 4 or 5 times a year and stops in and grabs hermits snails and the odd coral or fish and we just bag em up and he goes into Boston and hops on his flight home.

IMO ammonia burn is the greater chance of mortality than lack of dissolved o2 in such a short time frame. 12 hours plus yeah thats a different story.

Some customers ask about o2, I'd love to see a calculation of say the respiratory consumption of o2 from a centropyge angel (to pick a fish size). I doubt o2 is really necessary other than making the customer feel warm and fuzzy.

We offer a guarentee and it's never been a traceable factor - I don't think any of our fish have ever died in transit.

 

[dizzy]

Tom,
We got by without it for years. When fish are individually bagged it is not really necessary. It works very well when sending home feeders or live brine that are in crowded conditions. We find we have to replace less freshwater fish after we started using it. We do get the occasional customer who feels much better when we use to it, so it saves time having to explain how it is not necessary. It also does work wonders on a hangover, kind of like having your very oxygen bar. :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

FW, Feeders and Live Brine are a different story - none of which we sell. We will start doing limited FW in the next year but I doubt we'll see a need - we rarely put multiple fish in a bag unless they are very small and even then I normally opt for the larger bag.

 

[JennM]

For the little bit it costs, it affords good peace of mind.

I have had damsels die in a bag when there were several in a large bag, with just "air"....

Costs me $5/month to lease the tank, and about $11 per refill (I'm a year + on the same tank...) and the regulator, with the recent modifications cost me less than $100 - so for around $6/month plus the initial equipment, I know things aren't going to suffocate.

Worth it to me. Worth it to my customers.

Jenn