Could my Fluval 20 be broken?

[TMuller]

This is my first time trying pressurized CO2 and I just purchased a Fluval mini pressurized C02 kit. For some reason I cannot get any CO2 through the regulator. I took off the diffuser and still got no CO2. I've played with the regulator valve but no luck. When I loosened the regulator valve CO2 was indeed coming out through the threading, so I know that is still good. Could it be that the valve is broken?

[Darkblade48]

Are you using something like this?



Did you check for leaks? When you say "regulator" are you referring to the piece at the top of photo (above the CO2 cartridge)?

[TMuller]

That is the one, and that is what I meant about the regulator. I couldn't find any leaks. I think the regulator might not be releasing the pressure at all, or there is something I might not have done right. I'd try to twist it farther but I'm worried about breaking it.

[Darkblade48]

So after you screw the regulator onto the cartridge, and turn the knob at the top, no gas comes out from the tubing port on the side?

You mentioned that when you loosed the regulator valve, that CO2 was coming out from the threading. Is this the threading between the cartridge and the regulator?

[TMuller]

Yes!

[Drewsplantednutz]

Do you get flow without using the diffuser setup. Put the hose right from the regulator to the water and check for bubbles. I just got the ista 45g setup and very dissapointed with it, my opinion is to get a real setup and dont waste your money on co2 tanks you will be throwing away weekly. Get a cheap paintball reg setup from someone here for under $50 bucks and save yourself the hassle.

[TMuller]

Originally Posted by Drewsplantednutz

Do you get flow without using the diffuser setup. Put the hose right from the regulator to the water and check for bubbles. I just got the ista 45g setup and very dissapointed with it, my opinion is to get a real setup and dont waste your money on co2 tanks you will be throwing away weekly. Get a cheap paintball reg setup from someone here for under $50 bucks and save yourself the hassle.

I got no CO2 flow just from an open airline. I've done DIY CO2 before and see what should happen, but nothing happens here. Right now I'm just testing out CO2. I figured since we sell them at work I'd give it a shot. I would like to get some good aerial growth though so I might not need to use CO2. For now I think I might just go DIY until I figure out what I want to do with the tank.

[TMuller]

Update: I got a response after almost a week from Hagen. I just swapped it out for a new CO2 unit at the LFS.

[mistahoo]

Originally Posted by Drewsplantednutz

Do you get flow without using the diffuser setup. Put the hose right from the regulator to the water and check for bubbles. I just got the ista 45g setup and very dissapointed with it, my opinion is to get a real setup and dont waste your money on co2 tanks you will be throwing away weekly. Get a cheap paintball reg setup from someone here for under $50 bucks and save yourself the hassle.

I'm currently looking into the ISTA 45g setup for my 2.5 liter tank. What about it were you disappointed with? I've heard good things other than the constant costs for cartridges.