How to check CO2 tank for leakage

[Giant]

I bought a CO2 set in Dec.
Have already refilled twice for my 3.5 ft tank.
So suspect there's a leak somewhere.
How should I check?
What is there to check?

thanks

[Simon]

[quote:df00dab229="Giant"]I bought a CO2 set in Dec.
Have already refilled twice for my 3.5 ft tank.
So suspect there's a leak somewhere.
How should I check?
What is there to check?

thanks[/quote:df00dab229]

leak as in on the cylinder, regulator? I think use soap will be easy to detect. Could be from the tubing though. How many bubbles per second are you doing? perhaps list out the equipments as well

[AkionLCG]

Most of the time, it is the bubble counter that is leaking.
Do make a check that all connections are properly tightened eg the regulator's nut to the CO2 bottle should be tightened by using spanner and not hand tightened.

Leakage Test
1) Remove the entire CO2 line from the solenoid valve to the end (the flipper, diffuser or whatever you r using).

2) Dip the entire CO2 line into a pail (the type with wide opening with shallow depth / something like a bathtub) of water with the diffuser emerses. This will let you see every parts in the water at a level.

3) Switch on the solenoid regulator and look for possible leakage. Alternatively if available, use a air pump instead to save the CO2.
- If the CO2 line is short, can replace the airline from the regulator to the adjacent component (1 way valve or bubble counter).
- If there is no leakage along the CO2 line, the CO2 bottle's main valve or the regulator's connection to the airline or the replacement airline could be the culprit.
- Put some water around other areas (CO2 bottle) that need tightening for
leakages. Although soapy water will shown more bubbles (indication of leakage), soapy water is detriment to the aquarium. Water can also do the job, just need to be more observant.

4) Identify the leaking part, replace the part, repeat 1) - 3) with just the replaced part and install back the entire CO2 line.

5) If everthing is okay, check solenoid is not working or not. It should close fully when the power is cutted off or timer off. See whether bubble is coming out from the bubble counter probably after 5 minutes of power off. If yes, solenoid valve is spolit and need replacement.

Of course, there is always a faster way for checking but have to see how is the your setup. A CO2 bottle that has a splitter valve that supply to 2 planted tanks will use up CO2 faster.

Hope you find the leakage.

Regards
CG Lim

[Giant]

Am using this set.


http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/tayyta...;.dnm=1cf3.jpg

I even slowed it to 1 bps.

Have to refill it today, cos finish already again
Am going to replace tubing as a precaution.

& check the other components are suggested by you guys.

[Giant]

Just deposited tank at Sealico.
Asked them to check for tank leakage for me.

Replaced tubing from tank to bubble counter, with a better quality tubing than what came with the package.

But if the solenoid is turned off (using timer) by right there should not be any CO2 coming out at all right?
I don't think I have that problem with the solenoid , as when my power if turned off, no bubbles.

So the problem, I suspect would lie somewhere from the tank to before the bubble counter.
The check value is placed before the bubble counter right?
Is there an ideal position for this? as I notice that it has some water in it.

[AkionLCG]

[quote:52a5bdb091="Giant"]But if the solenoid is turned off (using timer) by right there should not be any CO2 coming out at all right?[/quote:52a5bdb091]
Yes, there should not be any CO2 when solenoid is off.

[quote:52a5bdb091="Giant"]The check value is placed before the bubble counter right?
Is there an ideal position for this? as I notice that it has some water in it.[/quote:52a5bdb091]
Yes. This will prevent the water from the bubble counter to enter the CO2 bottle. No problem if the water from the fish tank to go to the bubble counter. My check valve also has some water inside, no prob about that as long as there is no water in the tubing before the check valve. Some water in the check valve is avoidable due to it's construction.

[Giant]

Thanks.

Looks like they didn't tighten the shaft the last time or something like that.

If it still leaks, I think the problem would have been narrowed down to the solenoid.
Cos looks like the worker at Sealico help tape up the part to one of the gauges.
Damn... do this solenoid come with warranty? I only bought late dec.

[Giant]

Bump into the Qianhu guy I bought the CO2 set from at a roadshow, told him my problem.
He said no problem & to bring it in & they will get it exchanged for me.

So now have new solenoid, which he tested for leaks.


Fingers cross, no other leakage anywhere else.