Co2 tank - How long should it last.

[Godslayer]

Godslayer, just because you have a bigger tank doesn’t mean you use more CO2. I have a 10 lb bottle and it lasts 7 months on my 75 gallon tank. I have it at about 1 bubble per second.

Hence,

Now that I think about it, there are more variables than just the bottle size and volume of water that will effect the CO2 usage. But anyway, 3 weeks is definitely not normal.

 

[Booswalia]

Tried the soapy water thing but didn't find any leaks.

I changed the line from the one that came with my Hagen CO2 kit to one of those bright blue/green silicone type.

Guess I'll have to wait and see now if it continues to drop.

One thing that seemed odd. When I was checking the connections I turned off the tank itself. Then when I hooked everything back up I forgot to turn it back on. It was still be sending bubbles through though. I realized after a few minutes that I hadn't turned it back on.

What PSI do people generally set it at anyway?

 

[Jeremy S]

The out going psi should be set at about 15-20. When I shut my co2 system of at the main valve it takes about a half an hour for it to stop bubbling. Do you have a washer in-between the co2 regulator and the cylinder?

 

[Booswalia]

It doesn't look like there's a washer there.

Actually now that I'm looking at it. There's a white plastic thing hanging there that I never did use. Hmmm, looks like a washer to me. Would it be plastic???

I think I better go have a closer look.

 

[Booswalia]

Well now....that should fix 'er right up.

Thanks Jeremy. Now please tell me you knew to check that washer thing because made the same dumb mistake. I'll feel much better about it that way.

Somebody did that.

......right???

Anybody????

 

[aquatic-store]

Aplace were i usually got leaks was where the tubing attached to the regulator. The silicone tubing didnt cut it. If thats the same for you get some co2 proof tubing it is more rigid and less likly to leak becuase you can tighten the adapter on better

marc Russo
http://www.Aquatic-store.com

 

[cpr4cpu]

hey boos, don't feel bad man, I went through 2 5 piounders before I realized I had a loose fitting.
I also cranked the regulator down to 3psi (as low as it will reliably work) and a better quality needle valve. I am running 1 canister, two reactors, and getting about 4 bubbles a second.. tank lasts about 5-6 months. (on 24 hours a day)

 

[125gJoe]

My 10lb. tank lasted less than a year.

I also found my exterior bubble counter had a faster count rate then what was reaching my Power Reactor! Where's the leak? At the exterior counter?

 

[Godslayer]

80gJoe:

Don't forget water pressure increases with depth. Therefore the bubble release rate will be faster at a shallower depth than a deeper depth, given equal CO2 pressure.

Bob