CO2 Dump questions

S

Sumpin'fishy

Humble Disciple of Jesus Christ
Oct 16, 2002
673
0
0
50
Savannah, GA
I have a 5 lb tank of pressurized CO2 with a Milwaukee (all in one) reg/needle/solen. I've had this up and running for a whopping 5 days now! Whoohoo:rolleyes:

My question is what should my tank pressure guage read when full and operating, and then again what will it look like when it starts to dump? If anyone has any experience with this regulator combo, would you please let me know what kind of "drift" I can expect when it starts to dump? I understand that the Clippard brand needle valves have less than a 2% drift when dumping, but I am wondering how good this model I have is.

I'm basically just wanting to know what to be looking for in the future. Also, what happens to tanks when it's time to change over. Does the pH rise while you wait to get a chance to re-fill the tank? What if it dumps on a friday night? The place I have to go to isn't open on weekends. Any ideas? What kind of warning do I have before the tank is completely empty?

Thanks for all the info!
 
Sump,
Your tank should say 850lb./sq.in. when full and should remain there until the tank starts to get low. It, IME, drops very little until it's running low.
To avoid any of the problems you mention, when you see it start to drop keep a close watch on it. Mine typically takes a few days to drop to 600lb./sq. inch from the 850 mark. When it reaches 600lb. it's time to re-fill. I've had them run checks on what was left in the tank when I took it to re-fill and almost invariably there was very close to 1lb. left. I would rather 'waste' the lb. than take a chance on a dump.
Milwaukee makes a pretty good regulator and from what I hear(I don't use one) there is very little drift. But if you follow the above advice you don't have to worry too much about that anyway.
BTW, if you can get it re-filled within a matter of a few hours you should experience very little rise in pH. If you have to leave it over night that may be a different story. That's just one more reason to re-fill at 600lbs., or as soon there-after as possible. If it hits close to that on a thursday, I wouldn't risk going the whole weekend.
Keep a record of the amount of time you get out of the tank and you'll have a better idea on it's 'life' the next time.

Len
 
Weigh the tank!

Now, while the tank is full, and while it is hooked up, put the whole thing on a scale and find the full weight. Write that down.

Even before the tank pressure drops the weight of the tank will go down.

Say the whole tank is 7.5 lbs, the CO2 in its liquid state is 5 lbs and the regulator, etc., is 1.2 lbs. So, now the set weighs 13.7 lbs (I'm making these numbers up)

As the liquid in the tank turns to gas, the internal pressure of the tank will stay at the fill weight (mine reads 1000 psi). But, the liquid as it is being reduced will cause the tank weight to drop. So, in 2 months you might be able to weigh the set and see it a few pounds less. Maybe 13.2 drops to 11.0 lbs.

When it is near 5 lbs less than the original weight, you ought to see the internal tank pressure start to decline. This is when the liquid part of the fill is all gone and the remaining gas is being depleted through expansion of the gas and loss of pressure.

I have the same Milwaukee unit that you got, just set the tank up a week ago. I weighed the full tank, but forgot to weigh the hooked up system, which is the more useful number. I'll do that tomorrow!
 
Would Flourish Excel suppliment CO2 while the tank is being filled? I've thought about having a bottle on hand for when my tank runs out but I'm not sure if it will effect the pH or not.

I live in an area where they have to send the tank away to be filled and it takes a few days to return.
 
It depends on the size of your tank. Flourish Excel is not as effective on larger tanks as it is on say a 10 - 20 gal. tank.
Isn't there a place, somewhere in your area that fills on-site? Most welding supply shops will do that. They have to have the gas on hand for welders who can't afford to wait a matter of days to get filled.

Len
 
I could try a welding shop. Or perhaps I should get the juice bottle ready with the yeast and sugar for when the time comes.

I only takes about 8 hours for that to start working.
 
Won't a needle-valve effectively solve the "end of tank dump" issue? When the tank dumps it's still got to go through the needle valve... right?
 
Take a look at my web site:

http://members.cox.net/tulsaalstons/AquaticPlants.htm#High Pressure CO2

There are three links to articles/postings on "end of tank dump".

I believe that a needle valve, properly setup should minimize if not eliminate any end-of-tank dump you may experience. But of course, as stated earlier, monitoring your co2 tank and when it starts to go down in tank pressure getting it refilled is the best way to avoid any tank dump problems.

Bob :D
 
I can't imagine having 'pressurized' CO2 set-up and not having a needle valve!

Here's a link on how the CO2 dump works: End of Tank

Once the "liquid" in the CO2 cylinder is gone - problems can happen, and sometimes expensive ones happen. I broke the diaphram on my first regulator due to the "Dump" and it's sudden increase in flow.. Lucky my fish had no problems.. ! :eek:
I have a 10# cylinder.
 
Boos, 8 hour?!!? I can make you up a 2-liter bottle of DIY CO2 and have it cooking in 15 mins. It will be up to full speed(at least a bubble every 2 secs.) in 2 hrs. If it takes 8 hours something is wrong.

A welding shop is your best option, but you may have to trade for a full bottle or wait a few hours to get yours filled.

Len
 
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