[plantfreak108]

So for the past six months I have pieced my co2 system together and finally had the guts to try to set it up. Well after I did just that, I turned the co2 cylinder counterclockwise and set the pressure with my victor regulator to 12 psi. Then I noticed the other pressure gauge was at 1200 psi which was 3/4 of the way full for the regulators standards. So I'm not sure if the co2 cylinder has been leaking out little by little. The co2 seemed to be working perfectly because there were many bubbles entering my aquarium and I could set the bubble count with the Fabco needle Valve to a good level. I checked to see if there were any leaks with a soapy solution, and there were none. So I left the tank alone for about half an hour, and to my return, there was a smell of rotten cheese in the fish room so I quickly shut the co2 cylinder closed. The gauges on the regulator were around 5 psi and 900 psi and I assumed that it would go down eventually and it did. This morning I went downstairs to find the regulator at 0 psi on both of the gauges. So now I'm confused with my co2 system and I'm wondering what I can do to fix the problem:icon_frow

 

[Postal Penguin]

Did you remember the plastic O-ring between the regulator and the tank? Without that, CO2 can leak. My full 5lb tank shows 1100psi so 1200 is good. The pressure will vary depending on the temperature of the room. Rotten cheese is unusual though, where did you get the tank? And did the tank feel full? A tank will show 1100 psi until the very end when all the liquid CO2 becomes a gas.

 

[plantfreak108]

Well there was a plastic shaped thing that I thought was the o-ring, but I realized that may not be the case so I took the regulator and added the perma seal between the regulator and the cylinder.

Is a full 10lb tank supposed to show around 1200psi or does it not matter between the sizes?

I bought the co2 tank from aquariumplants.com and had it filled at a local brewing shop. It felt full before but since it's been a couple of months I don't remember how heavy it was. I'm pretty sure the odor came from the co2 tank.

I've also used Oatey pipe thread sealant/joint compound model #31226 without teflon. Maybe that was the problem?

 

[Darkblade48]

Well there was a plastic shaped thing that I thought was the o-ring, but I realized that may not be the case so I took the regulator and added the perma seal between the regulator and the cylinder.

It was probably the plastic nylon washer. However, the perma-seal does essentially the same thing.

Is a full 10lb tank supposed to show around 1200psi or does it not matter between the sizes?

There is no difference in pressure between sizes. My full 10lb tank reads 1000 PSI.

I've also used Oatey pipe thread sealant/joint compound model #31226 without teflon. Maybe that was the problem?

This shouldn't be a problem. I believe it was recommended by many users on the Victor regulator thread.

 

[plantfreak108]

It was probably the plastic nylon washer. However, the perma-seal does essentially the same thing.

So I don't need to add the perma-seal?

This shouldn't be a problem. I believe it was recommended by many users on the Victor regulator thread.

Does the pipe thread sealan/joint compound need teflon and willl there be no leaks if you add it?

 

[kali]

It was probably the plastic nylon washer. However, the perma-seal does essentially the same thing.

So I don't need to add the perma-seal?

This shouldn't be a problem. I believe it was recommended by many users on the Victor regulator thread.

Does the pipe thread sealan/joint compound need teflon and willl there be no leaks if you add it?

i think its probadlly something else not the pipe thread.! i used the same product without teflon and it was fine .!!
take your reg out and check the prema-seal ..some time you over tight it and broke the prema -seal.. and if you used prema-seal , just ditch the nylon seal ( pick one , dont used both )

 

[Darkblade48]

So I don't need to add the perma-seal?

You need one or the other. Pick either the perma-seal or the nylon washer and use one.

Does the pipe thread sealan/joint compound need teflon and willl there be no leaks if you add it?

It doesn't need teflon. I am using a pipe thread sealant compound without teflon and it is fine.

 

[plantfreak108]

So I am using the nylon seal that came with the regulator, used the pipe joint compound on all connections and everything seems to be working. I used the soap method to check for any leaks. I didn't find any and hopefully all is well.

 

[fordtrannyman]

An easy way to check for reg. to tank leaks is to close the needle valve to pressurize the reg. Close the tank valve, take note of the high side pressure. Wait an hour and check the high side gauge again. If it has dropped at all there is a major leak.

A Perma-Seal works the best on all my regs except a Milwaukee.

Co2 gas does have a smell IMO.

 

[plantfreak108]

Fordtrannyman, I tried your advice yesterday and the pressure gauges did not change at all. I also tested for leaks on my co2 system with the soapy water. There are no leaks and my co2 system is working perfectly. I'm glad I went pressurized and went to diy with the victor regulator. Thanks to all the forum members who helped me