Water in Bubble Counter

No. The fluid is there to help you see the bubbles. That's it.

Less water means it takes longer for the CO2 to build up pressure in the bubble counter. More water = less air volume. Once the air has been replaced by co2 it doesn't matter, just takes longer to start getting co2 bubbles to your tank.

You can even let it totally empty, it doesn't effect the operation of CO2, it just lets you know what is going on. When I used water (which I recommend for inline as mine always ended up going up the tubing over time), I would fill it every few months, that would last maybe a month or so, and it would be dry. On my regulator mounted one, I use mineral oil which lasts forever and doesn't go up the line like water did.

Any specific mineral oil? The water in the counter evaporates so quickly...

AquaticLeisure said:

Any specific mineral oil? The water in the counter evaporates so quickly...

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I just use CVS brand. It's been in there for years at the same level.

I have always been skeptical about using oil anywhere near the tank. WHo know when an accident might happen. Its better to stick with water. Anyway you are not maintaining theCO2 level by ppm so a drop here and there wont affect that much.
Oil just slows down the speed of bubble and that way you can count them easily.

I switched to veggie oil because refilling the counter was a pain.

Yep, water evaporates quickly. I have to refill my bubble counter every 3-4 weeks. Still, I'm sticking with water. Paid too much for my regulator and inline diffusor to risk getting oil in either one.

I also have a very expensive regulator / diffuser (GLA). Why is oil so hazardous? I really hate how quick the water evaporates from the bubble counter... is there any other alternative that won't put my equipment in jeopardy?

I have found that the oil stays put and no water backs down from the in-line difuser. I did install a one way just in case though, it is between the counter and the difuser. The counter is mounted on top of the needle valve.

I've never understood why even try to use oil when we're told we shouldn't in these. I too have a GLA regulator and there's zero chance I'd risk it. What does it take, 2 minutes to detach and fill water back in it if you want to use it to count bubbles?

Once you have it at your target CO2 point you can just let it evaporate and not refill if it is really tough to fill.

bsantucci said:

I've never understood why even try to use oil when we're told we shouldn't in these. I too have a GLA regulator and there's zero chance I'd risk it. What does it take, 2 minutes to detach and fill water back in it if you want to use it to count bubbles?

Once you have it at your target CO2 point you can just let it evaporate and not refill if it is really tough to fill.

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Maybe I am missing something but who says not to use it? I haven't looked into buying a bubble counter in a very long time but way back, some would actually come with some sort of oil or glycerin.

bsantucci said:

I've never understood why even try to use oil when we're told we shouldn't in these.

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"We're told we shouldn't"? What is this exactly about? Where did you get this?

If you saw "Use no oil" printed on the face of an oxygen gauge, it refers to the gauge itself. It does not in any way apply to the bubble counter.

talontsiawd said:

Maybe I am missing something but who says not to use it? I haven't looked into buying a bubble counter in a very long time but way back, some would actually come with some sort of oil or glycerin.

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AndreyT said:

"We're told we shouldn't"? What is this exactly about? Where did you get this?

If you saw "Use no oil" printed on the face of an oxygen gauge, it refers to the gauge itself. It does not in any way apply to the bubble counter.

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I believe I saw it on the documentation that came with my system from GLA.

I personally don't use a counter any longer. Just never understood why it's hard to refill with water.

I believe the reasoning is that people newer to the hobby could possibly turn the co2 on for the first time with the needle valve open and potentially blast oil up the line into the diffuser which would ruin the ceramic.

A bubble counter! I should start a thread "What's a bubble counter?"
I don't have one with my pressurized CO2 system.

The bubble counter just makes me feel "safer" so I know it's on / off.

My CO2 stuff is behind the tank, so while I can see it easily, it's hard to get to - so putting water in bubble counter is a bit tedious even though it just involves unscrewing it.