Could be the tank itself.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Pressurized Co2 Setup Leaking
So about 2 months ago I bought a brand new 10 lb. aluminum co2 tank and an new Aquatek premium regulator for my 40 gallon. In that 2 month period, I've refilled my tank 3 times!! Obviously I've got a problem.
I've done the soapy water test on every connection and haven't found a thing. Could it be the regulator? You would think that because of the rate I'm losing co2 there would be an obvious leak somewhere, but I can't find it.
Side note, when I refill my tank I know it's full because I weigh it, but the pressure on my regulator never gets above about 670. In all the forums I've read that the pressure should be around 800-1000.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, I'm sick of throwing away money for co2 refills that are only lasting 2 weeks :icon_cry:
I've done the soapy water test on every connection and haven't found a thing. Could it be the regulator? You would think that because of the rate I'm losing co2 there would be an obvious leak somewhere, but I can't find it.
Side note, when I refill my tank I know it's full because I weigh it, but the pressure on my regulator never gets above about 670. In all the forums I've read that the pressure should be around 800-1000.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, I'm sick of throwing away money for co2 refills that are only lasting 2 weeks :icon_cry:
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
Bettatail posted an awesome thread on perform leak testing including testing the regulator:
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=137245
Question: When you say you weigh your tank, are you also weighing it yourself when empty or using another value?
You might try what I just did to find a leak in my house. Light an insense and see if you can find the leak by watching the smoke coming off the insense as you move it around your setup. Probably won't work but maybe worth a try. Also, if you haven't done so I'd spray soapy water all over the head of the tank (on/off valve, etc). Even though it's not part of your connections it can leak CO2.
How many BPS are you injecting? What temp is the room with the CO2? If it's colder then 670 could definitely be normal.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=137245
Question: When you say you weigh your tank, are you also weighing it yourself when empty or using another value?
You might try what I just did to find a leak in my house. Light an insense and see if you can find the leak by watching the smoke coming off the insense as you move it around your setup. Probably won't work but maybe worth a try. Also, if you haven't done so I'd spray soapy water all over the head of the tank (on/off valve, etc). Even though it's not part of your connections it can leak CO2.
How many BPS are you injecting? What temp is the room with the CO2? If it's colder then 670 could definitely be normal.
I appreciate the quick responses. My original post was a little premature, I did the soap test again, this time very thorough, and the co2 is definitely leaking where the regulator attaches to the co2 tank.
So I guess my new question is: do I have the right washers? I'm using the little o-ring that came with the regulator, and I'm also using Teflon tape. Perhaps I should change the o-ring and not use Teflon tape. Again any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
About the regulator pressure... My room is a consistant 70 degrees, is 670 a normal reading for a full tank?
So I guess my new question is: do I have the right washers? I'm using the little o-ring that came with the regulator, and I'm also using Teflon tape. Perhaps I should change the o-ring and not use Teflon tape. Again any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
About the regulator pressure... My room is a consistant 70 degrees, is 670 a normal reading for a full tank?
Teflon tape should be used on all connections EXCEPT where the regulator attaches to the tank. Only a washer should be used. My washers are white and flat. There are a few different kinds available though. I've been told washers should only be used 1 or 2 times. After that they should be replaced. Use a wrench to tighten but don't over tighten. I think the rule is hand tighten then 1/4-1/2 turn with a wrench.I appreciate the quick responses. My original post was a little premature, I did the soap test again, this time very thorough, and the co2 is definitely leaking where the regulator attaches to the co2 tank.
So I guess my new question is: do I have the right washers? I'm using the little o-ring that came with the regulator, and I'm also using Teflon tape. Perhaps I should change the o-ring and not use Teflon tape. Again any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
About the regulator pressure... My room is a consistant 70 degrees, is 670 a normal reading for a full tank?
At 70 degrees 670 seems low. My room is about 70 degrees right now and both my tank are at 850 psi. My tank is only half full too. I don't know why yours would be low.
I use 2 of the white plastic washers at the same time. I have never had a leak at the bottle. I replace mine ever fill but other have had good luck reusing them. I get mine at home depot.
Thanks for the responses. I'm still a little confused about which washer to use though. I originally bought the basic Aquatek regulator (the one where you can't adjust the working pressure) and it came with 2 nylon washers.
I then returned it for the premium Aquatek regulator (the one that does have adjustable working pressure) and it came with two O-rings.
I've attached pictures of the two types I'm talking about. I'm using the O-rings right now because that's what came with the regulator. I guess my question is: does it matter which one of these washers I use? Would either work in my setup?
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I then returned it for the premium Aquatek regulator (the one that does have adjustable working pressure) and it came with two O-rings.
I've attached pictures of the two types I'm talking about. I'm using the O-rings right now because that's what came with the regulator. I guess my question is: does it matter which one of these washers I use? Would either work in my setup?
Use the nylon washer on the left for the connection between the CO2 cylinder and the CGA nut/nipple.
Yup those are them. The idea behind of using 2 is the rotational force applied to the washers, if using 2 of them, allows them to slightly turn when tightened. This will prevent any scoring/tearing of the seal surface that is against the brass parts, bottle and nipple. The 2 nylon washers rub against each other smoothly and the pressure of tightening slightly deforms them into a perfect seal.Use the nylon washer on the left for the connection between the CO2 cylinder and the CGA nut/nipple.
I have never used 2 of them together before, and have never seen them recommended to be used as such.Yup those are them. The idea behind of using 2 is the rotational force applied to the washers, if using 2 of them, allows them to slightly turn when tightened. This will prevent any scoring/tearing of the seal surface that is against the brass parts, bottle and nipple. The 2 nylon washers rub against each other smoothly and the pressure of tightening slightly deforms them into a perfect seal.
The extra one that came with the cylinder probably was a spare.
I have used 2 since 08' no leaks ever. The logic behind what I said still applies.
I got to thinking about where I learned to use 2 of the plastic white washers. Then I remembered my first regulator was, the now discontinued, JBJ brand. I haven't used this reg. in a long time but was able to find the instructions. The second line in the instructions state to use both of the supplied white washers to seal the reg to the bottle. Then again the first line says to use Teflon tape on the bottle threads so maybe this wasn't the best resource for how to correctly attach a reg.
With that said the 2 washer connection has never let me down.
View attachment JB2111.pdf
With that said the 2 washer connection has never let me down.
View attachment JB2111.pdf
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
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