CO2 Setup Issues

[shane]

I have a CO2 setup that does something weird. The setup is as follows in order of connection:

1) 20lb CO2 bottle
2) Regulator (working pressure of 11psi)
3) Solenoid
4) LPR
5) 3 port manifold (only one port being used currently)
6) Needle Valve
7) Check Valve
8) ADA Bubble Counter
9) Aqua Medic Reactor 1000 running on the intake of an Eheim 2215

When I first setup the CO2 system, I set up the bubble rate for 1 bubble/second. The solenoid turned off in the evening. In the morning, the solenoid turns on and the bubble rate explodes to like 5 bubbles /second. After a few minutes, the bubble rate begins to slow down. Once the CO2 system stabilizes I can turn off the solenoid and turn it on again with a normal bubble rate of about 1 bubble/second. I only see this increased bubble rate ofter the solenoid turns off for a few hours.

Anybody see this before?

Any ideas?

 

[Tom Barr]

That's normal, set the output pressure to about 15-20psi.
Some back pressure will build and initially shoot a lot in, but that's fine, you need it anyway.

Add a timer to the solenoid to start the CO2 30-60 min prior to the lights coming on and shut it off, 30 min before the lights go off at night.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[shane]

Hmm, my Dupla regulator doesn't do that.

I was concerned that so much CO2 coming out in a short time would be bad for the fish, etc. I don't have any fish in the tank currently.

 

[Tom Barr]

Probably will not hurt the fish unless the rate keeps up for more than a few minutes, perhaps 20-40 min.

If the other reg does not do that, you can upgrade to a better regulator.
My regs take awhile to fire the manifold set up.
I use the Victor brand which I think are the best.
Light duty is a decent grade.

About the best regulators here in the US anyway.
A needle valve might also be a point of error.
Clippard has a good track record and many use them, but admittedly, the Nupro and Swagelok brands are better.

Check valves also might be an issue.
How low is your CO2 tank pressure getting for this set up?

There are a few things you can look at if you can rule out the reg issues.
A cheapo Cornelis CO2 reg run about 20-30$ on ebay, Victors from about 30-60$.
Both can work well for many years.


Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[shane]

I just turned on the solenoid again after if being off for 2 hours. The bubble rate was proabably over 10 bubbles/sec. I really couldn't count, it was so fast. It was so fast that the bubble counter fluid was pushed into the CO2 reactor. This can't normal. The tank pressure is at 825psi.

This setup is a brand new system. Been playing around with it for 2 weeks.

 

[Tom Barr]

Probably the reg, you can swap them with the Dupla and see if it's something other than the valve/reg since you have 2.

Regards,
Tom Barr