C02 cylinder with manual regulator Enquiry

**dna9179** · 16th Sep 2009, 13:55

Hi again, i got a few question to ask regarding the C02 tank with manual regulator i got from a fourmer here.

I try to do a search and google but could not get the idea answer i want so i open a thread here.

Ok here it goes:

Q1: When we turn on the main tap on the cylinder, do we turn it fully all the way or just halfway or a little bit before we fine tune the knob on the regulator?

Q2: When i turn Off the main tap on the cylinder, the value on the gauge drop to 0 after few hour. When i turn on the main tap again, the value rise to around 1100, Is everything normal?

Q3:When i turn off the main tap; fully turn off, there's still bubble coming out when i take a look at the bubble counter. I understand there is still bubble left in the regulator but after many hour, the bubble is still coming out even the main tap is turn fully off and the gauge drop to 0. why is there still bubble coming out?

Q4: I attach 2 picture below showing the gauge on the regulator and the knob use to fine tune the bps. everything look ok?
Thanks for the help as i'm very new to this C02 tank and want to understand it better. thanks

**dna9179** · 16th Sep 2009, 14:06

And also i notice there is some White Jelly stuff develop inside my C02 indicator. Will the white jelly affect the colour of the indicator? Or it's better i clean it off and re dose the liquid again to test the C02 level? Or maybe it's normal and will't affect the indicator colour and leave it there? thanks, Picture below

**Cross** · 16th Sep 2009, 14:10

Q1: Usually can turn halfway will be sufficient

Q2: Maximum value regulators show is around 1000. will take months before it starts dropping. once start dropping it will be empty very soon.

Q3: There is substantial amount of pressurised co2 inside the gauge. When fully off, if you do not turn off the manual gauge, it can continue to give off bubbles for a period of time.

Q4: I have a smiliar regulator that had problems until i switched to a classic manual fitting regulator. The fitting was not very snug, plus the knob disintegrated on me even before my 1st co2 top up

Rest assured that there is nothing wrong with the tank. Tanks will leak at their turning knobs if the 'valve is faulty' . Usually can hear hissing noise when u turn on the co2 tank. Otherwise its just the connection between regulator and tank

**Cross** · 16th Sep 2009, 14:14

Originally Posted by dna9179

And also i notice there is some White Jelly stuff develop inside my C02 indicator. Will the white jelly affect the colour of the indicator? Or it's better i clean it off and re dose the liquid again to test the C02 level? Or maybe it's normal and will't affect the indicator colour and leave it there? thanks, Picture below

So long as your indicator changes colour still, i guess its fine if you can live with the white jelly

. The solution inside is KH4 water?

**dna9179** · 16th Sep 2009, 14:27

Originally Posted by Cross

So long as your indicator changes colour still, i guess its fine if you can live with the white jelly

. The solution inside is KH4 water?

oh thanks! Actually i'm not sure is the solution is KH4 water, i bought it as a set with the round glass. The solution is dark blue in colour when add to the glass. The instruction was to dose 4drop into the glass then fill some tank water into the glass again and place it inside the tank.

**boxedfish** · 16th Sep 2009, 14:59

kh4 water should be the solution to replace the tank water, used together with the dark blue solution provided. This is contrary to the instruction that ask to you to use tank water.

**dna9179** · 16th Sep 2009, 16:28

Originally Posted by boxedfish

kh4 water should be the solution to replace the tank water, used together with the dark blue solution provided. This is contrary to the instruction that ask to you to use tank water.

i dun understand what you mean. The instruction said 4drop of the blue solution plus some tank water into the ball. I do not have any kh4 solution and it wasn't given to me. could the kh4 solution premixed therefore only 1bottle of solution given? please advice, thanks

**boxedfish** · 16th Sep 2009, 16:31

replace the tank water by using kh4 solution. KH4 solution have to make yourself. distilled water should have zero kh. then by adding sodium carbonate, then testing with a kh tester, to get kh4 solution.

i hoped i am correct in saying this, if not, experts please point out how to get kh4 solution.

**dna9179** · 16th Sep 2009, 16:42

i did a search and understand now. arh still need kh4... any idea LFS selling how much for the kh4 or do you have any to spare or sell? thanks

**dna9179** · 16th Sep 2009, 17:12

so currently my drop checker added with 4drop of the blue solution and some tank water and the checker turn green colour. does it mean this colour is not accurate because i used tank water instead of kh4 solution?

**boxedfish** · 16th Sep 2009, 17:15

depends on how much kh is in your tank water.

**Cross** · 16th Sep 2009, 20:15

Originally Posted by dna9179

i did a search and understand now. arh still need kh4... any idea LFS selling how much for the kh4 or do you have any to spare or sell? thanks

some lfs sell one small bottle. but the cost is quite high haha. Imo, you can prepare your own solution of kh4 using distilled water and sodium carbonate. will end up with like 1L of kh4 if i recall.