Pressurized CO2 users, bubble count question

[TrickyD119]

I just opened up my CO2 tank for the first time about 60 minutes ago and I’m having a difficult time adjusting the bubble count.

Basically I’m trying to get between 1-2 bubbles per second, but here is the problem.

I adjust the regulator to get about 1 bps over the course of a minute and then I’ll come back 10 minutes later and it’ll be down to about 5 bps or worse.

Is this a common occurrence when initially setting up the bubble count or is something wrong here?

 

[beviking]

The most common setup is to have a needle valve after the regulator to fine tune the bubble rate.

 

[Mooch28]

I just opened up my CO2 tank for the first time about 60 minutes ago and I’m having a difficult time adjusting the bubble count.

Basically I’m trying to get between 1-2 bubbles per second, but here is the problem.

I adjust the regulator to get about 1 bps over the course of a minute and then I’ll come back 10 minutes later and it’ll be down to about 5 bps or worse.

Is this a common occurrence when initially setting up the bubble count or is something wrong here?

Something aint right here it seems. No matter what, the change should always be remain consistent. By the way are you using the regulator or needle valve to adjust?

Because, you should keep your regulator at around 10psi, that makes it easier to adjust the needle valve, which is what you should use to adjust pressure.....

 

[Bmeasure]

Even with my needle valve, I've always had to fiddle with the valves for a day, maybe 2 at the most! I generally start it with the appropriate settings 10psi (small guage), with a decent bubble count for my size tank (this has been roughly 2 bubbles/second for each 50 gallons of water in my experience.....depending on the efficiency of your reactor). In fact when I change out bottles, I don't adjust the needle valve until I have gotten the small guage to remain consistently around 10psi. Then fine-tune with your needle valve.

I generally check it within an hour after initial setup. It generally is at or near 0psi again, so I twist it counter-clockwise again, until in the 10psi range. Then again in 2 or 3 hours I check it. It may be lower again, so re adjust until it is again in the 10psi range. Keep checking regularly for the first day. After 2 days (TOPPS) you should have a very stable CO2 saturation.

 

[TrickyD119]

thanks for all the help here. I was attempting to adjust with regulator valve leaving the needle valve wide open as for whatever reason the directions that came with my setup said to do it that way.

Anyway, I now bumped it up to 10psi on the small guage like you all recommended and adjusted with the needle valve and now it is working.

Like you mentioned though Bmeasure, I've twice now had to go back and bump the pressure back up as it fell from 10 to below 5. Looks pretty consistent now though.

Thanks again