Atomic CO2 Regulator V3

mcaquatic · 10-09-2012, 03:28 PM

so i got an atomic CO2 regulator V3 last week to replace my old regulator to hopefully make life easier. It is running on my 90g which has an inline atomic diffuser. I set the bubble rate to 5/s which is maintains all day, but then the next day the bubble rate is at a bout 2.5 bubbles per second. I can't find any leaks. My diffuser hasn't been cleaned yet and it has been almost three months. Could this be my problem? My tank is low, but that is not supposed to be an issue with this diffuser. Any thoughts?

PlantedRich · 10-09-2012, 10:32 PM

Not to panic but when you say your tank is low, it makes me nervous! Are you up on End of Tank Dump? EOTD can come around when the liquid is gone from the bottle and the pressure begins to drop. a weird thing with regs is that can cause the remaining gas in the bottle to go into the tank in a "dump" which can be very bad for any fish.

The bubble rate changing may be because the needle valve is not quite as good as some. Not up on the diffuser end though so I'll let others have a go at that.

mcaquatic · 10-10-2012, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlantedRich

Not to panic but when you say your tank is low, it makes me nervous! Are you up on End of Tank Dump? EOTD can come around when the liquid is gone from the bottle and the pressure begins to drop. a weird thing with regs is that can cause the remaining gas in the bottle to go into the tank in a "dump" which can be very bad for any fish.

The bubble rate changing may be because the needle valve is not quite as good as some. Not up on the diffuser end though so I'll let others have a go at that.

With this reg end of tank dump should not be an issue. It is supposed to be able to run until the tank is completely empty. It is supposed to have a pretty good quality needle valve and others using it don't seem to have an issue so I hope that is not the case.

crice8 · 10-10-2012, 12:42 AM

No you do not have to worry about an EOTD at all with the GLA atomic diffusers.

AUvet14 · 10-10-2012, 01:24 PM

It is probably the diffuser needing to be cleaned. I have this regulator as well and I'm using a GLA atomic diffuser. My bubble rate slowed down as well but after I cleaned the diffuser the mist was finer and the bubble rate returned to normal. You might have to clean it really well using the acidity detergent if you have it. Use just enough to coat the outer surface and let it sit for 30 min, then do 50/50 bleach and water bath for a little bit and rinse in fresh water using a dechlorinator like Prime or whatever you typically use. Let it dry completely, which might take a while, and it should be good as new. I cleaned mine a couple times because it was really clogged but I was only using the acidity detergent and I didn't give it time to sit for 30 minutes. I contacted GLA about it and they gave me the more detailed cleaning instructions. Hope this helps.

mcaquatic · 10-10-2012, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AUvet14

It is probably the diffuser needing to be cleaned. I have this regulator as well and I'm using a GLA atomic diffuser. My bubble rate slowed down as well but after I cleaned the diffuser the mist was finer and the bubble rate returned to normal. You might have to clean it really well using the acidity detergent if you have it. Use just enough to coat the outer surface and let it sit for 30 min, then do 50/50 bleach and water bath for a little bit and rinse in fresh water using a dechlorinator like Prime or whatever you typically use. Let it dry completely, which might take a while, and it should be good as new. I cleaned mine a couple times because it was really clogged but I was only using the acidity detergent and I didn't give it time to sit for 30 minutes. I contacted GLA about it and they gave me the more detailed cleaning instructions. Hope this helps.

What do you mean by just coat the surface? I have the detergent. Do you just fully emerse the diffusor in a cup? Thanks

AUvet14 · 10-10-2012, 09:12 PM

No need to fully submerge the diffuser in it. Just put enough of the detergent on to make a liquid coat around the diffuser. Just a thin layer should be all you need.

Sent from my HTC One S

10-09-2012, 03:28 PM	#1
mcaquatic Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hoboken, NJ Posts: 666	Atomic CO2 Regulator V3 so i got an atomic CO2 regulator V3 last week to replace my old regulator to hopefully make life easier. It is running on my 90g which has an inline atomic diffuser. I set the bubble rate to 5/s which is maintains all day, but then the next day the bubble rate is at a bout 2.5 bubbles per second. I can't find any leaks. My diffuser hasn't been cleaned yet and it has been almost three months. Could this be my problem? My tank is low, but that is not supposed to be an issue with this diffuser. Any thoughts?

10-10-2012, 09:12 PM	#7
AUvet14 Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7/100%) Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Auburn, AL Posts: 442	No need to fully submerge the diffuser in it. Just put enough of the detergent on to make a liquid coat around the diffuser. Just a thin layer should be all you need. Sent from my HTC One S __________________ -Rusty Rusty's 30 High Tech w/ DIY Solid Walnut Stand and Canopy Rusty's GLA 36-L First Iwagumi Build Rusty's 10 Gallon Low Tech Shrimp Tank

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10-09-2012, 10:32 PM	#2
PlantedRich Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pflugerville, Tx Posts: 1,513	Not to panic but when you say your tank is low, it makes me nervous! Are you up on End of Tank Dump? EOTD can come around when the liquid is gone from the bottle and the pressure begins to drop. a weird thing with regs is that can cause the remaining gas in the bottle to go into the tank in a "dump" which can be very bad for any fish. The bubble rate changing may be because the needle valve is not quite as good as some. Not up on the diffuser end though so I'll let others have a go at that.

10-10-2012, 12:42 AM	#4
crice8 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 264	No you do not have to worry about an EOTD at all with the GLA atomic diffusers.

10-10-2012, 01:24 PM	#5
AUvet14 Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7/100%) Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Auburn, AL Posts: 442	It is probably the diffuser needing to be cleaned. I have this regulator as well and I'm using a GLA atomic diffuser. My bubble rate slowed down as well but after I cleaned the diffuser the mist was finer and the bubble rate returned to normal. You might have to clean it really well using the acidity detergent if you have it. Use just enough to coat the outer surface and let it sit for 30 min, then do 50/50 bleach and water bath for a little bit and rinse in fresh water using a dechlorinator like Prime or whatever you typically use. Let it dry completely, which might take a while, and it should be good as new. I cleaned mine a couple times because it was really clogged but I was only using the acidity detergent and I didn't give it time to sit for 30 minutes. I contacted GLA about it and they gave me the more detailed cleaning instructions. Hope this helps.