CO2 Reator TROUBLE!!

deucebiggss

Guru Class Expert
Aug 31, 2009
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Well I just cracked the Clippard check valve. I had to turn my psi up to 40+ and crank my needle valve all the way to the point my regulator was making a vibrating noise. That sure as hell doesn't seem right.
 

deucebiggss

Guru Class Expert
Aug 31, 2009
106
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The arrow was pointing at the reactor --->. Problem is I had to have the psi set to 40psi and my needle valve was turned allt he way up. That is not right. What am I doing wrong here. I checked for leaks
 

Left C

Lifetime Members
Sep 26, 2005
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Burlington, NC
This is all that I can think of at the moment:
- The air in the reactor was keeping the CO2 from dissolving. Burp it until all the air is out.
- This is a first ... defective Clippard check valve???
- I suppose that your Burkert solenoid was on this whole time.

You don't have to have it up to 40psi and the Ideal valve open all the way to run it in your powerhead, do you?

Hook it up with a good check valve and see what happens.
 

deucebiggss

Guru Class Expert
Aug 31, 2009
106
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I am not using the clippard valve for the powerhead. I am using an Elite check valve made by Hagen for the powerhead. My Regulator is set at 10psi and about 3-4bps for that setup. But the problem with those check valves is they are junk when used on the reactor. The water creeps right by it, but it allows the CO2 through. I am going to buy another clippard valve and see what happens. I am also going to take everything apart and retape and tighten. It is something so stupid I can see it now.
 

milesm

Prolific Poster
Oct 18, 2006
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you do have the water entering from the top and exiting from the bottom, right?

forehead slap(?)
 

abcemorse

Prolific Poster
Sep 8, 2008
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My clippard CV was like that when I first got it. I took a small piece of wire and carefully pushed it in the intake side and pushed the check open, then it was fine. Kinda like a window that's painted shut if that makes sense. Try that, just be careful not to damage the inside. HTH
 

deucebiggss

Guru Class Expert
Aug 31, 2009
106
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Well, today was a good day. I found the problem. I checked for leaks again and found it FINALLY!! It was the cover of the bubble counter and that cracked open the brass check valve. I am happy but frustrated I couldn't figure it out sooner. Thanks everyone for your help
 

Gbark

Guru Class Expert
Jun 15, 2009
266
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deucebiggss;45999 said:
The Eheim powerhead did the trick as far as getting CO2 into the tank. I have 2 drop checkers and they changed to green. If I can't get this reactor to work I may just stick to the powerhead.


I'm glad you solved it :) I was looking at your pics and noticed a plug adapter that looked like it had built in timers, is this right? if so do you know if you can get UK ones?