co2 tank

[cbster]

I just purchased my pressurized co2 equipment and i was wondering how do you know the tank is almost empty? I read somewhere that when the gauge starts to drop change it is this correct? also what is the starting pressure suppose to be?

[djlen]

A full tank will register 850psi. Set your outgoing pressure at 10 - 15psi. When the tank is starting to empty the pressure will start to drop. It will stay relatively stable until it reaches about 2lbs.
When it gets to 600psi it's got approx. 1lb. of gas left. Rather than risk a tank dump, I re-fill at 600lbs.

Len

[bobalston]

To add on to what djlen said, the tank will stay at 850 lobs pressure until all the liquid is gone. When the pressure starts to go down, you have only pressurized gas left. What I do is arrange to fill mine when I notice the pressure has started to drop.

Bob

[cbster]

The CO2 system has been running for a little over 12 hours and the ph has only dropped from 7.6 to 7.3. i have it set at 1 bubble per 3 seconds (directions said to start at 1 per 4 seconds) is that enough or should i set it higher? How long should it take to get to 6.8 ?

[djlen]

What is your kH? Are you consulting Chuck's Calculator?
If not, go to his website and download the calculator. It can be installed on your desktop for easy access and reference.

If your kH is 3.0 or higher you can push it up to 1 bubble every 2 secs. but check hourly. Keeping an hourly check will keep the inhabitants safe. When you start to get near the target content of 25-30ppm make your adjustments in smaller increments.

To reduce stress on the fish lower your pH gradually.

One other thing regarding your tank and connections. Did you test for leaks at ALL connections?

Len

[cbster]

My PH is 7.3 and my KH is 6 which with chuck's calculator that is 9 ppm so i should increase to 1 bubble every 2 secs.

I checked all the connections and couldn't find any i was going to check again today to make sure nothing started to leak.

Is there anything else i need to watch out for? I am suppose to do my weekly water change should i hold off on that until everything stabilizes?

[beviking]

From what I've read (no experience with CO2 YET) you should be able to get your CO2/pH to where you want it in two days (I'll give myself 3 when the time comes). Holding off for a couple days won't hurt anything (provided you aren't cycling the tank or added a bunch of fish lately) while you get the system to where you want it. You should see an equilibrium within 12 hours after changing the bubbles/sec.