hi guys, as a novice esp with Co2 setup, i would like to ask for help about setting up my set. I had bought a set from a LFS. Those that come with root monster, fert, diffuser, b.counter and the blue Co2 cylinder with a big 'Co2 for aquatic plants' printed across the cylinder on a black background.
After fitting in the regulator, counter (inlet and outlet) and diffusor, I open the red hatch on the cylinder but could not see the needle on the regulator move at all. I then proceed to use all my might to turn further the red hatch and suddenly the bubble counter exploded and suffered a few cuts by the flying broken pieces and thank GOD thats all I got. All this while, I did not see the needle move at all.
if you guys could help, I would like to know whether any of the parts are faulty? Do you guys have to turn the red hatch with difficulty? And for the regulator black nob, do I need to shut or open it when I open the red hatch on the cylinder?
Appreciate much, thanks!
oh my god! that's scary bro.
hope you are ok! think the regulator is faulty, maybe you should bring it back to the LFS to check on it. think that the problem with manual valve. your dun have the needle valne to control outlet flow?
check with the LFS...
all the best to you.
regards
The juggling apprentice fish
OMG!! That sure sounds scary... Heng your eyes are not hurt!...
Did you install the regulator correctly? Do note that the regulator knob should be closed tight before you turn on the CO2 tank's main valve and release the CO2... Then the needle on the regulator will indicate the pressure inside the tank. After fully turning the CO2 tank's main valve, one can then control the CO2 flowing out using the regulator's knob...
Read me! :bigsmile: http://justikanz.blogspot.com/
I'm crypt collecting... Starting cheap, now have Cryptocoryne beckettii, C.beckettii var petchii, C.crispatula var.balansae, C.griffithii(Melted!), C.nurii, C.parva, C.pygmaea(Melted!
Oh, juggling is hard work, man!...
I've always been lazy to sign in just to read a post or two, but anything with the word "EXPLODE" is a must-read for me.
My advice is to be extra careful when you're setting up the first time. You never know what you buy or get for free is explosion-proof. To tell you fellas the truth, when I was first setting up my CO2 system, I had a full face goggle on... just in case anything explodes
hi justikanz, thanks for input. I'm sure I have the regulator knob fully shut when I open the cylinder valve. Its because I didn;t see the needle move and thts when I use all my might to turn open the main valve. i duuno whether its the regulator's at fault or the cylinder.
as a safety precaution, you should no hook anything after the regulator when trying out you co2 system. and you should shut the regulator valve (if there is one) before opening the cylinder valve.
from what you described, the problem could be due to either a faulty regulator or the "regulator" is actually a manual valve. the bubble counter is not (and will not) able to handle the 1000+psi.
bring it back to the lfs where you bought it and ask them to set it up for you. if you still want to try to set it up yourself, try taking some photos so that we can help.
thomas liew
You probably got the "Throttle" valve instead of a real regulator as tawauboy as mentioned. Yes, it is cheap as compared to a real regulator but heck you are playing with a few thousand PSI of gas which is no joke. I rather to spend a bit more on a really good regulator than to risk my life.
Regards
Peter Gwee
hey thomas, thanks. guess i'll just bring it back to my LFS to let them check out whts wrong... dun want to take any more chances
The juggling apprentice fish
Think its the regular at fault... Now I am worried about getting a bubble counter myself!... Keke...
Read me! :bigsmile: http://justikanz.blogspot.com/
I'm crypt collecting... Starting cheap, now have Cryptocoryne beckettii, C.beckettii var petchii, C.crispatula var.balansae, C.griffithii(Melted!
Oh, juggling is hard work, man!...
Baton courtesy.....service with a smile!
Liew J, did you install a check valve somewhere in the co2 line? A wrongly installed check valve will cause blockage to occur such that the psi needle did not even move. Personally happened to me but the bubble counter did not explode as I had use the glass bubble counter that screw into the solenoid ( I guess). I had install 2 check valve but 1 of them was wrongly fixed.
I twist the red hatch to half turn and started to turn the needle valve. When the bubble stop appearing, I had checked the tube line for any twist but found none as I had use the ones that can handle high pressure. The thought of having to purchase a new solenoid made me frustrated and angry and in the end I decided to pull the co2 line between the 2 check valve. There was a loud 'pop' sound and the bubbles in the bubble counter was bubbling like an air pump! Upon inspection of the 2 check valve, I found that 1 of them was installed 'backward'. Hope this helps!
This happened quite awhile back when the glass bubble counter just came out, the one that screw into the solenoid housing. I had upgraded the co2 tubing to the high pressure ones and used 2 check valve.
If you've learnt, teach, if you have, give.
Don't walk behind me as I might not lead, don't walk in front of me as I might not follow. Walk beside me, as my friend.
Mohamad Rohaizal is my name. If it's too hard, use BFG. I don't mind.
Just to share my scary experience which happened a few years back. I had just topped up my CO2 and connected up the regulator. When i turned on the main valve, i could see bubbling in the bubble counter. But a few minutes later, there was a pop and the light blue tube that was connected to the bubble counter came off with all the water from the bubble counter SHOOTING out to the ceiling.
I have two check valves and all the tubings were properly installed with nothing pressing onto it. The CO2 is being pumped into the bubble counter but don't know why it doesn't reach the ceramic diffuser cos there's no bubbling in the diffuser?? Later when i removed the ceramic diffuser the CO2 was actually bubbling in the tank.
The diffuser i was using was a plastic one where you can remove the ceramic ring/misting board area to fill up the diffuser's main well with water first b4 plugging the CO2 tube into it. I followed the instructions given but still the problem persisted until i gave up and changed to an internal reactor than got no problem.
Diffuser faulty?? Was wondering how can it cause the blockage when it was still ok b4 the CO2 top up??
Anybody had the same problem??
BFG has a point. All this might be due to a wrongly installed check valve and not the regulator instead.
liew_j, try to get a pic of how your regulator looks like and I think the mods here can help you out better.
As for the bubble counter, the plastic types will crack if there is water blocking the passage of the gas into the tank. I know that water does get into the CO2 line by back-siphon when the solenoid is off. I found that installing the check valve closer to the internal reactor actually prevents this back-siphon from happening.
Fish.. Simply Irresistable
Back to Killies... slowly.
hi guys, thanks for all your replies. actually I have phobia gettng close the the co2 tank for the moment..keke.. anyways will bring it down to the lfs for them to take a look and if there's anything faulty, I could change it on the spot... dun wan to leave anything to chance..cheerios!
Baton courtesy.....service with a smile!
Don't be afraid of the co2 cylinder. It won't explode with your touch. If you are so worried about it exploding, you could release some amount of gas to ease your mind. You could transport it safely to the lfs without worry. Get the co2 cylinder it's own carrier as far as possible. Do not carry it by holding the main tap. And also do not let the co2 cylinder dropped in any way. Metals may crack and with high pressure, the small fissure crack can be enlarged in a matter of seconds!
A tip for budding enthusiast. Know your equipment and respect them. Be aware of the changes in their condition and know what to do when changes occur.
If you've learnt, teach, if you have, give.
Don't walk behind me as I might not lead, don't walk in front of me as I might not follow. Walk beside me, as my friend.
Mohamad Rohaizal is my name. If it's too hard, use BFG. I don't mind.
The juggling apprentice fish
Oh yes... I carried one of my tanls by the tap cos it is really heavy and it causes a crack and a CO2 leak... Lucky just a sudden release of CO2 when I turn on the tap and only need to spend money to replace the cap and re-top up... Else...
I never face the CO2 outlet, anyway, just in case... It is a good practice when handling all high pressured containers... You won't know what CAN happen...
Read me! :bigsmile: http://justikanz.blogspot.com/
I'm crypt collecting... Starting cheap, now have Cryptocoryne beckettii, C.beckettii var petchii, C.crispatula var.balansae, C.griffithii(Melted!
Oh, juggling is hard work, man!...
Originally Posted by Justikanz
Actually, I'll choose to face the CO2 outlet. Newton's laws say that if the top valve breaks, the person taking the gas will be safe and the "missile" would go looking for it's victim the other way!
Not trying to be a scare-monger here, but we got to be 100% frank about dangerous things, don't you think?
have that happened before , or will it ever happen ?? that sound real scary
The juggling apprentice fish
Haha... ALL high pressured gases are potentially dangerous...
elmike, do note that there will also be stuff come flying your way, IF the unfortunate EVER did happen... *touch wood*...
Read me! :bigsmile: http://justikanz.blogspot.com/
I'm crypt collecting... Starting cheap, now have Cryptocoryne beckettii, C.beckettii var petchii, C.crispatula var.balansae, C.griffithii(Melted!
Oh, juggling is hard work, man!...
The juggling apprentice fish
Guess what? When I just turn on my CO2, the diffuser exploded inside the tank!... Well, I am not so sure it actually exploded, it just blew itself off the CO2 line, making a loud 'pop' and scared all the fish...
Still drowsy and so dun dare to pick up the diffuser to check if it really exploded to pieces... In case kena cut by glass...
Read me! :bigsmile: http://justikanz.blogspot.com/
I'm crypt collecting... Starting cheap, now have Cryptocoryne beckettii, C.beckettii var petchii, C.crispatula var.balansae, C.griffithii(Melted!
Oh, juggling is hard work, man!...
Baton courtesy.....service with a smile!
It's the diffuser this time round? What type of diffuser are you using Justikanz?
If you've learnt, teach, if you have, give.
Don't walk behind me as I might not lead, don't walk in front of me as I might not follow. Walk beside me, as my friend.
Mohamad Rohaizal is my name. If it's too hard, use BFG. I don't mind.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks