Paintball co2 regulator help

3902 Views 16 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Joshism, Dec 3, 2017

pauliewoz

Discussion Starter · Oct 13, 2016

Hi guys, I just got an aqua labs co2 regulator and when I attached it to a 20oz paintball tank it started releasing co2 through the pressure relief valve. I kept on playing with it to see if I did something wrong.

When fully closed the pressure on the gauge was all the way to the end. I decided to let it drain just to see if it would stop and eventually it did, but it seemed like lots of co2 came out. Now it seems to be operating properly, but I don't know how much co2 i have left.

The regulator is rated at 55psi output pressure.

Is it possible that the guy at the paintball store overfilled the tank by way too much and the regulator just couldn't handle the pressure?

I haven't hooked it up to my aquarium yet, I'll probably get to it this weekend. And I guess I'll see how long it will last me.

I already emailed the company, I'll see what they say.

This is the one I got. http://aqua-labs.com/shop//co2-aces...ntroller-regulator-mini-ss-with-soleniod.html

I regret not getting the dual gauge one, I was trying to get the smallest one. But they both pretty much cost the same.

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plantsrockmysocks

· #2 · Oct 14, 2016

pauliewoz said:
Hi guys, I just got an aqua labs co2 regulator and when I attached it to a 20oz paintball tank it started releasing co2 through the pressure relief valve. I kept on playing with it to see if I did something wrong.

When fully closed the pressure on the gauge was all the way to the end. I decided to let it drain just to see if it would stop and eventually it did, but it seemed like lots of co2 came out. Now it seems to be operating properly, but I don't know how much co2 i have left.

The regulator is rated at 55psi output pressure.

Is it possible that the guy at the paintball store overfilled the tank by way too much and the regulator just couldn't handle the pressure?

I haven't hooked it up to my aquarium yet, I'll probably get to it this weekend. And I guess I'll see how long it will last me.

I already emailed the company, I'll see what they say.

This is the one I got. Aqua Labs || Advance Camozzi CO2 Speed Flow Controller Regulator MINI-SS with Soleniod - Regulator & Solenoids - CO2 Acessories

I regret not getting the dual gauge one, I was trying to get the smallest one. But they both pretty much cost the same.

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I asked them about their dual stage one.

Dear Buyer:

this kind of regulator is not too stable , we will dis-continue selling it soon.

you can pick one of our mini SS regulator, they work great.

for more info you can go to our site .

have a nice weekend

CS

pauliewoz

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 14, 2016 (Edited by Moderator)

plantsrockmysocks said:
I asked them about their dual stage one.

Hmm, at least they are honest about it.

My tank was empty the next morning so I'm guessing that co2 was leaking constantly. I heard back from them and they told me to make sure the tank is screwed onto the regulator tightly. I'll get it refilled today and give it another shot. If it still doesn't work I guess I'll ask for a replacement.

One of my LFS uses that brand in their own planted tanks and she says they're great. They sell them as well but for quite a bit more. It really feels solid and the camozzi needle valve was working great when the regulator stopped leaking co2.

I'll keep this thread updated for anyone that is considering their regulators.

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Got the tank filled again, hooked up the regulator and no matter what I did, it was still letting co2 out. I emailed them back asking for an exchange, but I probably won't hear back from them until Monday.

Too bad, I was really excited about hooking up the co2 this weekend.

I think I have the worst luck in buying stuff for my aquarium.

Oh well.

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dvscar

· #4 · Oct 14, 2016

I know it's not the problem with the paint ball tank but did you check the o ring on the tank? Make sure to change it too for it not to release CO2.

pauliewoz

Discussion Starter · #5 · Oct 15, 2016

dvscar said:
I know it's not the problem with the paint ball tank but did you check the o ring on the tank? Make sure to change it too for it not to release CO2.

The o ring is fine on the paintball tank. It's definitely the regulator.

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PlantedRich

· #6 · Oct 15, 2016

I always like to look over new/different equipment. There are so many different ways to do things that I always see something new.
But that brings up the questions? Where does the gas come out and can you see a pressure relief valve?
No experience with this company or products but it always puts me off when I see something declared as the best! I've learned to shy away from those who choose to pat their own back and declare they are the best ever.
When somebody says they are the only solution, it's time to check the facts a bit closer.
I've worked with some of those folks and they can get you killed!

pauliewoz

Discussion Starter · #7 · Oct 15, 2016

PlantedRich said:
I always like to look over new/different equipment. There are so many different ways to do things that I always see something new.
But that brings up the questions? Where does the gas come out and can you see a pressure relief valve?
No experience with this company or products but it always puts me off when I see something declared as the best! I've learned to shy away from those who choose to pat their own back and declare they are the best ever.
When somebody says they are the only solution, it's time to check the facts a bit closer.
I've worked with some of those folks and they can get you killed!

Yeah, I decided to be the guinea pig for this regulator. I didn't see any reviews on it, but I knew that the camozzi needle valve is a good one, so that kind of made me pull the trigger.

I just hope their customer service is good and they send me a replacement without any hassle.

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plantsrockmysocks

· #8 · Oct 17, 2016

pauliewoz said:
Yeah, I decided to be the guinea pig for this regulator. I didn't see any reviews on it, but I knew that the camozzi needle valve is a good one, so that kind of made me pull the trigger.

I just hope their customer service is good and they send me a replacement without any hassle.

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Any updates on this?

pauliewoz

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 17, 2016

plantsrockmysocks said:
Any updates on this?

I just heard back from them. They will send me a replacement. I'll let you guys know if it works the way it should when it arrives.

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pauliewoz

Discussion Starter · #10 · Nov 1, 2016

Update:

I received the replacement regulator yesterday and it seems to be working. This weekend I will hook it up and see how it works. I'll also test it for leaks sometime this week.

When I compared the two I could see that my defective one was missing something inside the thread section.

The one on top is the bad one. I think because of that piece missing it was causing the pressure to be to high and leaking through the relief valve.

Customer Service was top notch. They didn't even ask me to ship back the defective one.

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Digitalfiend

· #11 · Nov 11, 2016

How is this working for you now?

I'm thinking of finally setting up my 90p and moving the CO2Art reg/5lb tank to that one, which means I'd need a regulator for my Mini M. I can get another CO2Art reg w/SMC valve shipped for around $200cdn vs this one for $135cdn from a local shop which also includes the paintball adapter. How is the needle valve sensitivity and is the solenoid working well (no slow leaks, etc)?

Joshism

· #12 · Nov 11, 2016

pauliewoz said:
Update:

I received the replacement regulator yesterday and it seems to be working. This weekend I will hook it up and see how it works. I'll also test it for leaks sometime this week.

When I compared the two I could see that my defective one was missing something inside the thread section.

The one on top is the bad one. I think because of that piece missing it was causing the pressure to be to high and leaking through the relief valve.

Customer Service was top notch. They didn't even ask me to ship back the defective one.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

I think that's a pneumatic silencer. I don't think it's a defect, but a missing accessory.

pauliewoz

Discussion Starter · #13 · Nov 12, 2016 (Edited by Moderator)

Digitalfiend said:
How is this working for you now?

I'm thinking of finally setting up my 90p and moving the CO2Art reg/5lb tank to that one, which means I'd need a regulator for my Mini M. I can get another CO2Art reg w/SMC valve shipped for around $200cdn vs this one for $135cdn from a local shop which also includes the paintball adapter. How is the needle valve sensitivity and is the solenoid working well (no slow leaks, etc)?

The regulator is working fine so far.

One day I came home and saw that my bubble rate was slow, so I checked the regulator and saw that the working pressure dropped. And I remembered that the night before I lowered it using the regulator instead of the needle valve because I panicked when I saw my fish were showing symptoms of co2 poisoning.

So I think that's why the pressure dropped. Since I adjusted it two days ago it's been fine.

I don't think I have any leaks and the needle valve is pretty easy to adjust and seems to keep the bubble count steady. The solenoid is working good too. It gets a bit warm, not too hot.

Is Angelfins the local store that you are referring to by any chance?

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Joshism said:
I think that's a pneumatic silencer. I don't think it's a defect, but a missing accessory.

So if I could get one that fits I could ultimately have a second regulator.

Thanks for identifying the missing part.

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Digitalfiend

· #14 · Nov 13, 2016

pauliewoz said:
Is Angelfins the local store that you are referring to by any chance?

Yep, great store. Not as local as I made it sound though as it's about an hour and twenty minute drive for me, one way.

Good to know the regulator is working well. I just discovered that the solenoid on my CO2Art regulator is not closing properly. I've been trying to figure out why my drop counter has been almost yellow every morning. Ugh.

Reactions: 1

FlyingHellFish

· #15 · Nov 13, 2016

Those guys are awesome! I got my 60P from them when they did local runs.

Reactions: 1

pauliewoz

Discussion Starter · #16 · Nov 16, 2016

Yes, angelfins is great. They have stuff that no other stores have. And they have a good selection of culture plants at a decent price.

I just wish they were open a bit longer than 2 hours during the week.

But I understand that most of their business is online.

BTW. The regulator is still working great.

Plants are starting to color up nicely.

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Joshism

· #17 · Dec 3, 2017

So it has been about a year later. How is the regulator, solenoid and metering valve? Have you tried letting your CO2 cylinder go empty to see if it does EOTD? I feel like building something like this. If it's cheap, I might just buy one just to tinker with.

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