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50 Posts
Hi,
After mulling over whether to get a GLA GRO regulator from the US, a 5lb tank, and the cost of conversion to CDN, plus duty and shipping, I decided to go a potentially less wise route and bought an Ista Professional 1L kit. This size tank better fits my daughter's room where it will be used for her planted 60-F tank.
I'm completely new to planted tanks and pressurized CO2 systems. While I did a great deal of research, including reading Darkblade's excellent primer on the subject, I did encounter something with the regulator that I'm not sure is normal.
After connecting the regulator to the CO2 tank, plumbing the lines, then opening the tank valve, I loosened the [STRIKE]regulator[/STRIKE] needle valve about 1/16th of a turn and the CO2 started coming out quite rapidly through the bubble counter (probably 20 bps)! In order to get 1 bps (or less), it felt like I had to pretty much close the [STRIKE]regulator[/STRIKE] needle valve. I don't think this can be normal because if it is, adjusting the regulator might require a VERY light touch. I'd have to check in the morning but I believe the first gauge is reading 900psi and the 2nd gauge, which I assume is the working pressure, is reading 40psi. That seems high to me but I'm not sure if it is possible to reduce the working pressure with this regulator.
So I guess my question is whether it is normal to only have to turn the [STRIKE]regulator[/STRIKE] needle valve a degree or two to get 1 bps. I'm going to play with it some more tomorrow but any insight would be much appreciated.
Thanks guys!
P.S.
While looking at the limited reviews of this CO2 kit, I noticed that people complained about not being able to fill the supposedly refillable bottles due to a fitting issue. An employee at Big Al's mentioned that Ista shipped the wrong bottles (euro fitting) but this has been corrected and now the bottles are using the proper CGA320 fitting. So I should be able to have them filled locally, as well as upgrade to a 5lb tank down the road if necessary.
After mulling over whether to get a GLA GRO regulator from the US, a 5lb tank, and the cost of conversion to CDN, plus duty and shipping, I decided to go a potentially less wise route and bought an Ista Professional 1L kit. This size tank better fits my daughter's room where it will be used for her planted 60-F tank.
I'm completely new to planted tanks and pressurized CO2 systems. While I did a great deal of research, including reading Darkblade's excellent primer on the subject, I did encounter something with the regulator that I'm not sure is normal.
After connecting the regulator to the CO2 tank, plumbing the lines, then opening the tank valve, I loosened the [STRIKE]regulator[/STRIKE] needle valve about 1/16th of a turn and the CO2 started coming out quite rapidly through the bubble counter (probably 20 bps)! In order to get 1 bps (or less), it felt like I had to pretty much close the [STRIKE]regulator[/STRIKE] needle valve. I don't think this can be normal because if it is, adjusting the regulator might require a VERY light touch. I'd have to check in the morning but I believe the first gauge is reading 900psi and the 2nd gauge, which I assume is the working pressure, is reading 40psi. That seems high to me but I'm not sure if it is possible to reduce the working pressure with this regulator.
So I guess my question is whether it is normal to only have to turn the [STRIKE]regulator[/STRIKE] needle valve a degree or two to get 1 bps. I'm going to play with it some more tomorrow but any insight would be much appreciated.
Thanks guys!
P.S.
While looking at the limited reviews of this CO2 kit, I noticed that people complained about not being able to fill the supposedly refillable bottles due to a fitting issue. An employee at Big Al's mentioned that Ista shipped the wrong bottles (euro fitting) but this has been corrected and now the bottles are using the proper CGA320 fitting. So I should be able to have them filled locally, as well as upgrade to a 5lb tank down the road if necessary.