Difference between aquarium CO2 regulator and beer keg CO2 regulator?

Question

I'm getting a CO2 system for my freshwater planted tank and can't figure out the difference between a regulator sold for home brewing and a regulator sold in aquarium stores other than the fact that the latter cost three times as much as the former.  I know that some are equipped to use a solenoid but I'm not interested in that as I only need a slight bump in CO2 and I will leave it on 24/7 with an airpump kicking on when the lights go off to increase O2 at night. 

I also noticed that the aquarium regulators that only cost twice as much as beer keg regulators (versus the ones that cost three times as much) don't even include a safety relief valve in case of pressure build up in the line which isn't unheard of if the diffuser gets clogged with algae.

theChad · Accepted Answer

It doesn't matter what or where you get the regulator. It's a good idea if it has a needle valve. A needle valve allows you to fine tune the output to just one bubble.Without a needle valve you won't be able to reduce the flow low enough.  Also the regulator will need a small nipple attached for a air line.

I searched for mine for a while looking on-line on www.craigslist.com for a used regulator. I finally found one on sale at a place they sale fertilizers and lightning for plants. It cost $100 and came with a needle valve and solenoid.

Also, there are CO2 defusers that look like a cup that's tipped upside down. All you do is turn on the CO2 just a little to fill the cup then shut it off. The CO2 gradually defuses into the water. This is a slow way to defuse CO2 but may work for you. There would be no need for a needle valve or solenoid with this type of set up. 
http://www.wayfair.com/Hagen-Fluval-CO2-Diffuser-0.7-oz.-A7542-HGE1076.html

Difference between aquarium CO2 regulator and beer keg CO2 regulator?

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