CO2 Tank Empty after ~ 2 Weeks - Leak I assume?

DGalt

DGalt

AC Members
Jun 1, 2008
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Connecticut
So it's been about 2 (maybe 3) weeks since my CO2 system got up and running and I just looked over and saw that the tank is empty. Was fine yesterday (no pressure decrease on either of the gauges), and it was working probably about 2 hours ago...but now it's apparently empty.

It's a 2.5lb tank for a 15g aquarium. I'm assuming it should last longer than 2 weeks (going at about 2 bubbles / second for 12 hours a day), so I'm guessing there is a leak somewhere in the system. What are some of the typical places where there might be one? I thought I had tightened everything up pretty well so this is a bit frustrating.

thanks :)
 
Victor HPT270B-250 with a Swagelok metering valve and JBJ bubble counter
 
Def. leak somewhere. Use soapy water in a spraybottle next time you get a refill and spray down all connections to find any leaks. You got to tighten the nut that connects to the tank well and always use a new washer every time you compress one tightening the nut down.
 
Ditto what 247Plants said. I had a 5lb. tank go empty in about 2 wks b/c of a leak. If your CO2 tank has threading inside of the output nozzle, use a perma-seal instead of a washer. And really crank down on the regulator nut.
 
247Plants said:
Def. leak somewhere. Use soapy water in a spraybottle next time you get a refill and spray down all connections to find any leaks. You got to tighten the nut that connects to the tank well and always use a new washer every time you compress one tightening the nut down.
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Sorry I didn't reply earlier, I agree with kurt
 
The nylon gasket is a better first line of defense against leaks than rector seal, PTFE tape etc. etc. as it is easy to hit the threads, but nearly impossible to seal the junction between the nut and the flared nipple it is holding fast to the tank.

Dilute soapy water is your friend. Hit everything with it - anything threaded (including the main tank valve, pressure relief port).
 
are you talking about the little plastic washer thing that goes between the outlet of the tank and the inlet of the regulator? I have a sneaking suspicion that this is where I'm losing air, although how I'm going about fixing it I'm not sure.

Going to get a new tank tomorrow, guess it'll have to wait till then. Yay for finals week :swear:
 
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