Help - CO2 Leak

ronaldvalente · 11-22-2012, 01:28 AM

I finished the setup of my pressurized CO2 system today. All was working well for about 6 hours... until a fast leak occurred between the tank and regulator. I was lucky I was right there to turn off the tank.

I have it turned off for the night until I can keep a close eye on it during the day.

It is a 5lb tank, the room my tank is in is 5000 cubic feet.
In theory that would be about 16ppm if I did my math right of additional CO2 to the room. Still not fun to hear 800 psi of CO2 leaking into the room.

Is there a better option than a nylon seal?
Is that reliable and I just need to torque down the connection better next time?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Best,
Ron

Darkblade48 · 11-22-2012, 03:51 AM

Do not worry too much about the amount of CO2 that leaked out into your room.

When you remove the regulator from the CO2 cylinder, each time, you must use a new nylon washer. Screwing the regulator onto the cylinder compresses the nylon washer, forming a tight seal. Compressed/used washers cannot be used again since they will not form a tight seal.

In any case, make sure you use a new nylon washer, tighten the nut by hand, and then take a suitably sized wrench to it and really tighten it.

Following this, I have never had a leak between the CO2 nut and the cylinder (other parts notwithstanding

)

ronaldvalente · 11-22-2012, 03:57 AM

Thanks! Looking to get a permaseal as well.

Darkblade48 · 11-22-2012, 03:59 AM

I've never used perma-seals, mainly because of their cost (~$8 or so to get one).

Whenever I go get my cylinder refilled, I just ask for some nylon washers, and the technician is more than happy to give me a few each time. I'm slowly building up my supply

ronaldvalente · 11-23-2012, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkblade48

I've never used perma-seals, mainly because of their cost (~$8 or so to get one).

Whenever I go get my cylinder refilled, I just ask for some nylon washers, and the technician is more than happy to give me a few each time. I'm slowly building up my supply

After tightening down with a nice crescent wrench I have had no issues the last 36 hours. Thanks!

11-22-2012, 01:28 AM	#1
ronaldvalente Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: NC Posts: 179	Help - CO2 Leak I finished the setup of my pressurized CO2 system today. All was working well for about 6 hours... until a fast leak occurred between the tank and regulator. I was lucky I was right there to turn off the tank. I have it turned off for the night until I can keep a close eye on it during the day. It is a 5lb tank, the room my tank is in is 5000 cubic feet. In theory that would be about 16ppm if I did my math right of additional CO2 to the room. Still not fun to hear 800 psi of CO2 leaking into the room. Is there a better option than a nylon seal? Is that reliable and I just need to torque down the connection better next time? Any help is greatly appreciated! Best, Ron

11-22-2012, 03:51 AM	#2
Darkblade48 Moderator (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 7,053	Do not worry too much about the amount of CO2 that leaked out into your room. When you remove the regulator from the CO2 cylinder, each time, you must use a new nylon washer. Screwing the regulator onto the cylinder compresses the nylon washer, forming a tight seal. Compressed/used washers cannot be used again since they will not form a tight seal. In any case, make sure you use a new nylon washer, tighten the nut by hand, and then take a suitably sized wrench to it and really tighten it. Following this, I have never had a leak between the CO2 nut and the cylinder (other parts notwithstanding ) __________________ Anthony A Primer to Pressurized CO2 and A Primer to Planted Tanks Eheim Pimp #362 - Eheim 2213 x2, Eheim 2028, Ehein 2217, Eheim surface skimmer and Eheim autofeeder. Victor Pimp #33 - HPT272-125-350-4M

11-22-2012, 03:59 AM	#4
Darkblade48 Moderator (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 7,053	I've never used perma-seals, mainly because of their cost (~$8 or so to get one). Whenever I go get my cylinder refilled, I just ask for some nylon washers, and the technician is more than happy to give me a few each time. I'm slowly building up my supply __________________ Anthony A Primer to Pressurized CO2 and A Primer to Planted Tanks Eheim Pimp #362 - Eheim 2213 x2, Eheim 2028, Ehein 2217, Eheim surface skimmer and Eheim autofeeder. Victor Pimp #33 - HPT272-125-350-4M

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

11-22-2012, 03:57 AM	#3
ronaldvalente Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: NC Posts: 179	Thanks! Looking to get a permaseal as well.