how to use a co2 tank w/ solenoid

[j.c.koh]

hi, can anyone give me a crash course on how to use this thing.
what does the reading on the gauges mean, how do I turn it on and how do I check if it's still working?
right now I'm clueless

[jackychun]

Hi JC,

You can refer to this video from East Ocean showing how to set up a CO2 system. They use the same ANS CO2 system like yours.

https://youtu.be/wvNswLdF-_M

For the solenoid valve, it will be activated once you plug into electric socket. That's why for more convenient of using, people normally buy a timer plug whereas on/off time can be programmed and save the trouble of on/off it manually.

For the valve, if I am not wrong, the left gauge in your picture showing the pressure of CO2 in the tank. If you see it is around 1000psi, mean CO2 still there. If it drops to less than 900psi or lower, then it is the sign that CO2 depleted and need to be refilled.

The gauge on the right is used to measure the pressure of CO2 goes to the tank. So it depends on the equipment that you connect from the output to CO2 hose, to CO2 reactor...etc. For me, I use Ista CO2 reactor, it will be around 40psi.

Oh, BTW, to get the CO2 system work, you need to turn the lock at the top to "OPEN" in then first place.


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[vinz]

Adding to above.... The left guage tells you the pressure in your cylinder. The right tells you the working pressure (pressure of the output).

The cylinder pressure should be at approximately 1000 PSI when full. It might be weeks or months before it starts to drop. When it starts to drop, you have roughly a few days to 2 weeks before it is completely empty, depending on the capacity of your cylinder and injection rate (BPS). I usually wait until its close to 0 PSI before refilling. On the other hand, that regulator is single stage (I use dual stage) and will be prone to "end of tank dump". Google to know more.

The working pressure is reading about 40 PSI, which is good enough for most atomisers. (I think not enough for Intense Bazooka Atomiser.)

You have a splitter on your set. Are you using the set on two tanks?

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[j.c.koh]

@jacky, thanks bro the video is very detailed. Now that I have tested the co2 tank, I can confidently say that it is in working condition.
Before that I had very little info, I kept messing with the valves but the reading from the gauges wont budge. thinking I might have missed something important I didn't dare turning it on until I had proper guidance.

@vinz, no, the splitter is from the previous owner. Is there any other use apart of running two tanks? If not I think I'm going to take it down.
Master vinz, while you are here can you help me with a few questions?

1) is 40 PSI good enough to run it on a do!aqua co2 music glass 15?
2) What determines the PSI? The tank or the regulator?
3) what to do when sending tank for refill? Do you just unscrew the regulator or is there a safety guideline to follow?

Thanks

[vinz]

Please don't call me master. I'm just another hobbyist passing on knowledge learnt over the years.

You can remove the splitter if you don't need it. Just becomes another few more points for potential leaks.

1) Should be enough, but I can't say for sure since I haven't used one of those. I haven't heard of any other atomiser on the market that can't run off a standard regulator sold for planted tanks before the Intense Bazooka Atomiser.

2) The regulator determines the working pressure. There are some regulators that come with working pressure adjustment, but I haven't found any in local LFS. There are some gas industry businesses that sells them, but their catalogs are really confusing. In the end, I found it easier to order from overseas online LFS. Not too expensive too, including shipping.

3) Unplug the solenoid from wall socket. Close the main valve on the cylinder. Then remove the regulator.

Alternatively, bring the whole set to NA Nature Aquarium at Thomson Road (see our LFS map in our menu bar when you visit AQ via desktop browser). Chan will remove the regulator for you and attach to the exchanged cylinder (he does not do on the spot refill). Or try System & Control Engineering (yes, it's an LFS) at Upper Boon Keng, they do on the spot refill and you get to keep your cylinder. Observe how they remove/attach regulator and DIY next time.

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[j.c.koh]

Thanks Vinz, very informative.
I've learned a lot from you today.