Brand new CO2 tank valve is stuck...? (this is kinda an emergency)

[cgcaver]

OK, im sure this will attract many flames :\ I ordered a filled CO2 tank from aquariumplants.com and much to my surprise it came today (seemed way early). I already had my Milwaukee MA957 regulator here and assembled. First question... the tank was very warm (its hot here)... thats not a good thing is it? Shouldnt a CO2 tank with liquid CO2 be cold LOL ?

I got the regulator on the tank no problem, nice and tight. Heres where the problem started: I started to open the tank valve and gas started to escape (high pressure). This only lasted for about 1 second (at the most 2) and I immediately closed the tank valve, after pee'ing my pants

I remembered that I forgot to open the main regulator flow valve. Now, on the instruction sheet from the Milwaukee guys, it says doing this can cause damage to the diaphragm inside the regulator or can damage the right gauge. So, then I opened the regulator valve like Im supposed to, and followed all the other directions to the T. This time, when I opened the tank valve, it seemed fine, I got a reading on my high pressure gauge, and nothing blew up! So I opened the tank valve all the way like the directions said to do.

As I opened the needle valve (as instructed), gas started come through and even spit some of my water out of the bubble counter. After I had a steady flow going through, I tried to move on to the next stage where you close down on the regulator valve so you get a reading in the left gauge (low pressure gauge). As I started to close the main regulator valve as instructed, I got a slight reading on the left gauge for about 1 second (maybe 1-2 PSI) and then all of a sudden, both gauges lost all pressure and are now sitting at zero. Does this mean my tank is freakin empty?! How?!

As if that weren't enough - here's the main problem. I cannot get the tank valve to open OR close. It will not twist either way. Can someone please help me... This is really starting to spook me.

 

[daveedka]

Sevral possibilities, the most likely one is that your tank is empty. It is also possible that the valve froze up upon release of the gas, but it seems unlikely unless you see frost at the top of the tank.

I hate to ask this, but are you sure the valve is turned the right direction (please don't get mad at me for asking)

Bottle valves will kind of stick at either end of the turning distance. I would first make sure you know which way it has been turned, and then get a pair of pliers and go the other way with it. you should be able to easily free up the valve and then turn it. Despite the fact that the instructions say to open the valve fully, it isn't necessary to do so. I generally open it 4-5 turns with non-flammables, this is enough to ensure full flow which is why they say to open it fully


Just an FYI, the co2 is liquid because it is under pressure to make it so. It will be at room temperature in the bottle. If the temperature of the bottle is increased, the actual pressure inside the bottle will increase also. at some point it will get warm enough to blow the safety on the bottle at which time the gas will all escape rapidly. You will know if this happens. when it is released under normal use the subsequent drop in pressure will also result in a drop in temperature. Typically pressure isn't relieved fast enough for us to see or feel any significant drop in temp. However repid release will freeze the bottle quite quickly. When I have been near tanks that have had the valves knocked off, they generally build 3-4 inches of frost on the outside of the bottle before the whistling noise stops. In the case of Co2 in particular it is a liquid in the tank. that tank will maintain the same pressure (roughly) untill all liquid in the tank has expanded to gas, and then the pressure will drop pretty quickly. That is why your high pressure gauge will read the same thing for 6 months and then when it starts dropping you will be out of CO2 in a couple of days.
dave

 

[cgcaver]

Yeh Im sure Im turning it the right way... bad part is, it will not budge in either direction (and im a big guy)