My bubble counter exploded ?? why?!?!

[iyanden]

I just brought in a CO2 tank attached everything nicely yesterday works fine.

This morning when i on my tank , i hear a sizzle sound from the tank, but i did not bother. At night i when i off my tank, i detach the tube from the regulator and found that there are water inside the tube (i think the water backflow is from the bubble counter). I get rid of the water inside the tube, and attach the tube back to the regulator. The moment i open the regulator , the bubble counter exploded and fragments everywhere. Got a few cuts but luckily not fatal.

Seriously i don't know what happened.. Can someone advise??

The attachment sequence
CO2 regulator > tube > bubble counter > tube > one way valve > tube > diffusor

I think i attach the one way valve wrongly haiz

[iyanden]

i don't dare to on my tank. Scared it explode zzz

[Shadow]

did you install check valve (one way valve) corectly? It explode due to build up pressure, either something stuck on the output or your check valve at the wrong direction.

by the way, get few more check valve, one is not enough.

[Goondoo]

Anyway, I believe it should be CO2 regulator > tube > one way valve > tube > bubble counter > tube > diffusor

[CK Yeo]

You installed the check valve the wrong direction. And it should be after the regulator so that water from the bubble counter don't get into the regulator.

ck

[iyanden]

ok thanks for advice!
i very scared tat water actually went into the regulator already..
will it pose a problem??

[oblivion]

Anyway, I believe it should be CO2 regulator > tube > one way valve > tube > bubble counter > tube > diffusor

i prefer this:
CO2 regulator > tube > one way valve > tube > one way valve > tube > bubble counter > tube > one way valve > tube > diffusor

yes i know, very kiasu
3 one way valves for 1 co2 setup
but it works for me so why not?

[Shadow]

my setup is the same as lee1224 and I can still see water flowback slowly. Also longer tube so that it give more distance for water to travel. I used many different brand and in my experience those metal check valve is the best. Haven't try the glass check valve (ADA type) though.

[juggler]

Anyway, I believe it should be CO2 regulator > tube > one way valve > tube > bubble counter > tube > diffusor

I place my only one-way valve nearer the fish tank like this:

CO2 regulator > tube > bubble counter > tube > one way valve > tube > reactor

[gummynut]

I am suprised that the bubble counter exploded and not the tubing blow off from the connection. The safer way is to install the check valve before the bubble counter because this way, there will be minimal pressure accumulation in the bubble counter.

[oblivion]

my setup is the same as lee1224 and I can still see water flowback slowly. Also longer tube so that it give more distance for water to travel. I used many different brand and in my experience those metal check valve is the best. Haven't try the glass check valve (ADA type) though.

true, even 3 valves still have some minimal backflow
the metal ones the best for me as well
i tried replica ada lookalike glass check valves - taiwan made, results no good.
worse than normal cheap plastic valves
not sure if the 'real' one from ada works well

[Goondoo]

I place my only one-way valve nearer the fish tank like this:

CO2 regulator > tube > bubble counter > tube > one way valve > tube > reactor

I had never encounter back flow from tank down into my bubble counter while I was using external reactor and CO2 diffuser. I had however frequent encountering of the water inside the bubble counter flowing towards the solenoid which is more expensive...

Which is why I recommend from the CO2 regulator > tube > one way valve > tube > bubble counter > tube > reactor

[Jaffar]

Initally, I used the set-up with one way valve only. I am using a reactor.
CO2 regulator > tube > one way valve > tube > bubble counter > tube > reactor

However, the water backflowed into my bubble counter when the CO2 regulator is switched off in the night.

To rectify this problem, I am now using 2 units of one way valve

CO2 regulator > tube > one way valve > tube > bubble counter > tube > one way valve > tube > reactor

Not kiasu but a necessary solution to my problem.

[aquarius]

CO2 regulator > tube > check valve > tube > bubble counter > tube > check valve > tube > reactor

The above combination is the best. The whole idea of having a check valve is to prevent water from backflowing to the bubble counter or regulator. So why not have two check valves to prevent any problems from occuring.

[tawauboy]

what kind of co2 regulator are you using?
single or dual gauge?
what is the output pressure?