BPS drop when cylinder pressure drops

[Filet-O-Fish]

They actually sell soapy water in the bottle

I think they take inspiration from ADA. Look at ADA's STEP series for fertilizers.
90% water + 10% fertilizers.

[Filet-O-Fish]

The photo below shows the SMC Precision Needle Valve (photo from CO2Art). The topmost ridged knob is for adjusting the injection rate. The lock nut is the hexagonal nut below that. Once you are done setting the injection rate, tighten the lock nut downwards to lock the setting in place.

OK now I understand. It seems you have the " Regulator with German Solenoid and SMC Valve" model.
I have ordered the normal model. Mine will be coming through my relative who's flying in from UK. Should be in Singapore by tonight.

I'm using the eXtra Large Intense bubble counter. Is this what you are referring to (photo from CO2Art)? I really like that I can twist off the bottom part and refill without having to detach the CO2 pipes.

Yes I'm referring to this same model. Since your Co2 output will be high, you may need to refill often. I tried some similar models which had to be refilled the same way but due to constant refilling, there were times where the fitting was loose and lead to gas leak. Then I tightened up more and ended up wearing off the threads of the container. Had to throw it away. Just sharing my experience.

[Shadow]

You can just disconnect the hose from the needle valve then use syringe to inject water into the bubble counter. That way, you do not need to dismantle everything. You cannot inject the other way though, due to check valve.

[vinz]

Noted your input, will watch out for those things. That's why I started using glycerin. With water, about 1/5 evaporated over 3 days. I've Googled and glycerin seems to be quite safe. To minimize it getting into the tank, I've filled it only 2/3 full.

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[Filet-O-Fish]

You can just disconnect the hose from the needle valve then use syringe to inject water into the bubble counter. That way, you do not need to dismantle everything. You cannot inject the other way though, due to check valve.

Wise decision.
This is what I do too.

[Filet-O-Fish]

An update.
I managed to get the new Co2 regulator working.
Thanks to Vinz for informing about the uneven Co2 output from the splitters:
As quoted by Vinz:
"Theoretically, the 4 way split should have uniform pressure since they eventually join back to one, but this is not the case. Turns out one of the counters will bubble very fast (uncountable, as if its the only bubble counter), whereas the other 3 were very slow with different BPS. If I close off the fast one, the other 3 will speed up, but not uniformly."

[vinz]

Filet-o-fish, did you manage to balance your BPS?

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[Filet-O-Fish]

Filet-o-fish, did you manage to balance your BPS?

Yes but after some 2 days of increasing and decreasing the BPS. Now it seems to be constant.
To be frank, the needle valves on the 2 way splitter are not so well built as I had expected it to be. This morning, while checking to see if everything was ok, I noticed that just touching one of the needle valve would decrease the bubble count. It did not happen on my ANS brand regulator.

Also this regulator did not come with any manual whatsoever. I had no idea on how to set the working pressure but thanks to UA who had mentioned this in some other post, I managed to do it.
The solenoid also tend to get warmer during operation. Whereas there was no heat at all from the ANS brand.

The only positive factor for this UK brand is the fact that this is a dual stage regulator. Apart from this, there is not much difference between any other make.
Cheers.

[vinz]

The manuals are online at their site.

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[vinz]

So far my BPS is stable despite the pressure dropping over the last few days as the tank empties. Is this one using German solenoid? I did not detect heat on mine.

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[Filet-O-Fish]

The manuals are online at their site.

Yup that's what I saw before I order this regulator.
Now the site seem to be down till today.

http://support.co2art.co.uk/support/...magnetic-valve

So far my BPS is stable despite the pressure dropping over the last few days as the tank empties. Is this one using German solenoid? I did not detect heat on mine.

Nope, mine is the normal solenoid ( un-German type)
I wanted to get the same regulator as yours but I noticed that, that model comes with the SMC needle valve which is long and the whole Co2 system unfortunately can't fit into my already crammed cabinet.
The normal solenoid does not get hot but still is quite warm. The ANS brand used to be cool to the touch.

Cheers

[CP]

Hi, I am interested to buy CO2art Professional Aquarium CO2 Dual Stage Regulator and Solenoid Magnetic Valve:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00V...NPL&ref=plSrch

It says from Amazon site that the thread is made according to UK, Europe, Japan and Taiwan standard (BS341 / DIN477 / W21., If CGA320 thread required please make note during the checkout process.
Can I confirm what is the usual thread standard we have here?

[vinz]

Yes, our normal industrial cylinders that we use for aquarium here have the same thread standard as their regulators.

But I understand that some of the nice small cylinders that are sold under aquascaping brands are not standard.

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[vinz]

Singapore is using BS341.

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[CP]

Thanks vinz!

[Filet-O-Fish]

Singapore is using BS341.

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Hi Vinz,
How is you new regulator coming along?

On my side, things are not so good. The Co2 ART regulator is leaking at the joints where the splitter is attached to the regulator. Tried to tighten with a wrench 3 or 4 time but after 3 days, the leak starts. Even tried with Teflon tapes.
I have contacted the UK supplier about this and am waiting his answer.

Luckily I did not sell off my ANS brand regulator. I have started to use it since this morning. Due ti uneven Co2, some of my plants are melting again.

Feeling frustrated with this UK brand..

[vinz]

So far so good. I did not leak-test the joints from the needle valve to the reactor, but the cylinder is lasting as expected. It just started to drop pressure, which is about the correct duration considering I upped the BPS by about 10 to 20% when I installed the new regulator.