The noob guide to building your own regulator: part numbers, sources, and other tips!

[D-Linquent]

I do hear a click when I plug it in, and more muted sound when I unplug it. The led light does not come on even when everything is open. Should I take it apart and try to clean it out?

Edit: Do you know what part number will close off the outlet of the regulator? I want to take the solenoid out, and close off the outlet and test for a leak. If there isn't a leak, then it has to be the solenoid, right?

[D-Linquent]

Okay, so now when I try to test the second stage per these instructions: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...=137245...when I close the regulator to charge the second stage before I can release the connection from the tank, the low pressure gauge dives to zero and the air is forced out. There is definitely a problem with the solenoid.

[Darkblade48]

As I posted over at TPT:

You just need an appropriately sized plug. You should be able to find this at any hardware store.

For your solenoid, there may be several issues:

There could be something (such as teflon tape) blocking the plunger.
It could be put on backwards (directionality matters).

As for the LED not coming on, it could be because it was wired poorly.

[D-Linquent]

Thanks. I will follow the sticky about the leaking solenoid, and I will see what I find. Whatever else may be going on, it seems that there is definitely a problem with the solenoid.

As far as installation, I have the gas flowing as follows P--->A, or T--->P--->N

[Flyinghellfish]

My first build, enjoi-

[Matt F.]

That is a nice, clean build!

My first build, enjoi-

[Matt F.]

Eheim Skim350 is available in the U.S.

For any of you who don't have a wet/dry or overflow, and you have surface scum, this is a nifty little device, which easily outperforms and out engineers ADA's Vuppa for a fraction of the cost:

http://www.barrreport.com/showthread...R-Members-Only

A group of us at the local club pre-ordered 20+ units and received ours today 5/20. First time it's been released in the USA, so it's really exciting to have a quality Eheim product that does an exceptional job of keeping the surface scum a non-issue for tank respiration.

It's on sale if you use the coupon code I listed in the linked thread. Offer expires on 5/31. After that, the unit/shipping is full price.

Don't live with surface scum!!!

Benefits of the Eheim Skim350 over the ADA Vuppa-I:

Eheim is much lighter
Eheim is plastic and won't scratch the surface of your glass or acrylic tank
Eheim uses suction cups, which will fit on any tank, unlike the vuppa, which requires a rimless tank.
Eheim's surface head floats and allows for more than 1+" of evaporation w/o adjustment.
Eheim's surface head has 4 portals for water to be literally sucked in, whereas the Vuppa has two and doesn't allow for as much water volume to pass through the unit.
Eheim's motor/impeller is much more powerful than the Vuppa's
Eheim's costs is $35.99 Plus $4 shipping (with coupon) versus the ADA Vuppa, which is MUCH more expensive
Eheim's power cord is one piece and is good quality unlike the Chinese-made Vuppa power cord that can short out (ask me about this).
Eheim maintenance is much easier than the vuppa, which has a press-fit impeller motor housing.
So far no sucked up shrimp with the Eheim, which was a major problem with the Vuppa. With the Vuppa, the dead shrimp would clog the only inlet for water in the impeller motor housing, which would cease flow. You'd have to remove the housing and unclog the orifice to dislodge the body...what a PITA.

[Matt F.]

Just got some good news....

If you ever need new suction cups or an impeller, there are replacement parts available.

Replacement impeller for the skim 350 is the same as the compact 300 pump.

Impeller--Part #7445868
Suction cups are part #7445854