Pressurized CO2 System

Matt101905

Matt101905

Love Guru
Feb 11, 2009
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Arkansas
Ok guys so I have this pressurized co2 system with I believe a full 10lb tank. I need to know how do I get it going? I've been in agri. alot and know how to read the pressure gauges and stuff..but as far as what to do first. I believe I have a Milwalkiee (sp?) pH tester but I don't know how to use it and stuff. Tomorrow I will post everything I have. I just set up my 55gal. tonight and I put a few little plants in there. I'm not sure if they will make it or not. I have 2X55watt CFL 6500k over the left side of my tank (where all the plants are). Is it to soon to start CO2? Should I wait till I start seeing a little growth before I start using the CO2. I'm using pool filter sand. I'm not sure what plants I got...java moss, wisteria...and a few others.

I tried hooking up my co2 system a long time ago but I think I remember having a leak somewhere so I turned it off and never messed with it again. Anyways thanks!
 
Ozymandias said:
well you can start with the CO2 immediately (cont heart the plants). when you got the leek was it by where you connected the regulator to the canister?
Click to expand...

I think it was where the regulator was connected to the CO2 tank (if thats what you mean?). I'll check it out tonight when I hook up my XP3 to the tank and everything. I have the Diffuser tube connected to the inlet of my XP3...is that bad or do I need to put it on my output hose? Thanks
 
well i might be you didn't have the nylon seal (or equivalent) on properly and it wasn't tight enough connection. i've learned it takes alot of effort to get them on properly. directly into the intake would be fine for a time, i feel though it's not nessasariullly the best set up though for pressurized. i would insted go with a inline reactor.

here's a good article that describes every bit a of a pressurized set up.
http://www.njagc.net/articles/co2.htm
 
Ozymandias said:
well i might be you didn't have the nylon seal (or equivalent) on properly and it wasn't tight enough connection. i've learned it takes alot of effort to get them on properly. directly into the intake would be fine for a time, i feel though it's not nessasariullly the best set up though for pressurized. i would insted go with a inline reactor.

here's a good article that describes every bit a of a pressurized set up.
http://www.njagc.net/articles/co2.htm
Click to expand...

Thanks for the article. I was wrong, what I have is a Inline Reactor...I didn't know what it was called lol. Memory loss... Anyways I'll read that article..I think what my problem is after glancing over the article is that I don't have a washer on my regulator. I cannot remember but I don't think I do, plus I have teflon tape on my regulator and I was reading that its not recommended. So where would I get a washer if mine doesnt have one...and is it safe to take off my regulator with the tank being filled? Thanks!
 
Ok so I messed with the Co2 system and I turned on the tank and messed with the regulator. I believe I figured out that its leaking around where the regulator fits onto the tank. I have teflon tape around it, is that bad? Also I don't think I could get the regulator to work right. I don't have a needle valve I don't think. When I opened the tank I got working pressure(?) but I couldn't drain the regulator after I closed the CO2 tank. I even unscrewed the valve by the bubble counter but nothing happened. The only two things that can move on the regulator is the big control knob, and the bubble counter knob. Help?

Oh and I think the tank has 600psi, I think thats ok right? When should I get it filled back up again?
 
Regulator1.jpg
Regulator2.jpg

In the first pic the knob to the side of the bubble counter was what I was talking about...is that the needle valve?

Ok so I tried the co2 tank and well it leaks where the regulator meets the Co2 tank. Also me and my dad kinda figured out that I think the Solenoid is not working. I plugged it in and everything and we tested it with a meter to see if there is current and there is but it didn't look like much. So no bubbles is comming out of the bubble counter so either the solenoid is not working or its stopped up at the bubble counter. What do you think I should do. I did have water in the bubble counter and I left it in there and it all dried up and there is like a water stain ring in the bubble counter. Do you think it got stopped because we have really hard water.

Any ideas?

Regulator1.jpg Regulator2.jpg
 
well the knob is the needle valve, and you will need to get a washer for connecting it. i would suggest getting the washer then test it again could be that the CO2 was just going in the path of least resistance. also selenoids don't need to use that much power.
 
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