Hi all,
Was wondering which LFS does CO2 refill the proper way and not the decanting method. If I'm correct, the proper way is to chill the gas tank then pump in CO2 at high pressure. The CO2 will become liquid in the tank. My CO2 tank was recently refilled with the decanting method and I noticed some irregularity with it, the flow rate seems to be fluctuating even after I replaced the regulator. Read somewhere that the decanting method is not a sound method as the CO2 will not reach a required pressure equilibrium.
D
You can try Soxal or one of the commercial companies that deal with food grade CO2. A search on Google might be useful.
I used to be a fan of CO2 cylinder systems, but after I switched to my Hagen NutraFin "DIY" CO2 system, I have absolute peace of mind. Doesn't take much to get it going, and the bubble rate is good enough, for a week or two.
Fish.. Simply Irresistable
Back to Killies... slowly.
May I know which shop in the east sell this Hagen NutraFin I will like to try and how much it cost? Normally to top up a CO2 tank cost $15 - 20 and last for 4-8 months. If it is cheaper I may switch over. Thanks in advanceOriginally Posted by stormhawk
You can try Soxal or one of the commercial companies that deal with food grade CO2. A search on Google might be useful.
I used to be a fan of CO2 cylinder systems, but after I switched to my Hagen NutraFin "DIY" CO2 system, I have absolute peace of mind. Doesn't take much to get it going, and the bubble rate is good enough, for a week or two.
Hi guys, I had my 7L cylinder bottle refilled by a popular "instant" refill LFS (don't want to mention name) near the sikh temple last saturday. Before going I weigh my empty bottle and it is abt. 10kg.Hi all,
Was wondering which LFS does CO2 refill the proper way and not the decanting method. If I'm correct, the proper way is to chill the gas tank then pump in CO2 at high pressure. The CO2 will become liquid in the tank. My CO2 tank was recently refilled with the decanting method and I noticed some irregularity with it, the flow rate seems to be fluctuating even after I replaced the regulator
D
I ask the uncle how he will refill the bottle, and he said he will chilled the bottle first and "vaccum" the gas in. Didn't want to question him too much so let him do the work.
Regulator.jpg
As I got the bottle from him I can feel its chilled and the regulator reads at 1000psi and the bottle gauge is at full
But when I reach home 20 minutes later I noticed that the gauge had gone down to the "red" zone.
To my suprised after refilling the weight increases to abt. 12 kg only. I paid $25 for the refilled.
Co2 bottle.jpg
Last edited by An2timun; 9th Nov 2009 at 12:09.
not sure which one the right way but my 5l empty is around 8kg, full refill is around 12kg. It is at NA one to one exchage
Usually he will chill and pump out all remaining gas to create a vacuum inside the tank before then pumping the CO2. A leak test is carried out before the tank being return to you, did he do that for you?
I just went to him 3 weeks ago, after refilling he sprayed the joints with soapy solution, no leaks then rinse with plain water, wiped dry before returning. If in doubt, can always call him to clarify, he is friendly and approachable. Alternatively monitor if this refill empties out faster than usual.
I'm not sure for the East side, but in the West you can buy the set for $35+ I think at C328 and some other shops. Just use the packs that come with the original set. Don't have to buy the refill since you can redo it yourself with just normal sugar, a little baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, and a pinch of yeast. I use this brownish box yeast from NTUC. Has a bird on the brand icon. Better quality than the one that came with the Hagen box.
Cheaper? Yes, but you don't have the ability to control the CO2 output unlike cylinder + solenoid systems. Still good for people who don't wish to use CO2 cylinders.
Fish.. Simply Irresistable
Back to Killies... slowly.
what are the dimensions of your cylinder?
and a fully filled tank takes up around 2/3 the internal volume of the cylinder. the remaining 1/3 "free" space is meant for expansion.
Last edited by tawauboy; 10th Nov 2009 at 08:06. Reason: correction
thomas liew
i think this is normal practice for anyone doing cylinder filling
most curtainly..
ya bro..but what is sceptical about it is the gauge level in the red zone and the 2kg difference..
from what you have described so far, you have least 2kg worth of liquid co2. so the cylinder pressure should be about 1000psi, depending on the ambient temperature. and the pressure will not drop until all the liquid co2 is used up.
so in your case, it is highly likely that the main valve was turned on and off to allow the regulator will register the cylinder pressure. during your journey home, the co2 in your regulator will have leaked off unless you have a needle valve or some other valves at the output of the regulator.
so what is showing on your gauge now? still in the "red" zone? have you turned on the main valve?
and the pressure gauge does not tell whether a co2 cylinder is full or not, just whether there is any liquid co2 left.
and the 2kg difference will translate to about 2.6l of liquid co2.
Last edited by tawauboy; 10th Nov 2009 at 14:19. Reason: additional info
thomas liew
yes, its about 1000psi
the main(top valve) is closed, the level gauge shows red zone is 1/4 tank and blue line 1/2 full, if it was full and 3/4 tank leaks in 20 minutes, I should be hearing the hissing sound coming from the valves..or should I not?
yes in the red zone and its on and running.
i guess thats the amount of co2 he manage to top up, question is does it justify the $25 i paid?
i am not sure if that gauge actually shows how full your cylinder is. does the gauge move when you swirl or tilt the cylinder?
maybe you should check for leaks since the gauge was showing full after the refill.
what are the dimensions of your cylinder?
Last edited by tawauboy; 10th Nov 2009 at 22:39.
thomas liew
no, I checked the gauge dont move when tilt
when I took from him I was surprised that it was'nt much heavier and I'm pretty sure there was'nt any leak.
My cylinder is abt.400mm height and abt.160mm dia
since the gauge does not move, then the gauge does not indicate the level of liquid co2 in your cylinder. so 'red' zone does not indicate 1/4 tank.
maybe it is a flow indicator. you can try opening the valve to release some co2 and see if the gauge moves? with the regulator removed.
does the height of 400mm include the main valve? what is the height of the cylindrical portion (exclude the shoulder portion and the main valve)?
thomas liew
I cannot tell if it is 1/4 full, but it is written at the red zone line 1/4 and the blue line 1/2.
The cylinderical part is about 350mm height.
I am not trying to say the uncle is cheating, but I think his method of refilling cannot get the tank full.
gauges will never reflect the level of liquid CO2 in the cylinder. Gauges read pressure, and as long as there is enough CO2 in the cylinder to make up a saturated liquid-vapour (1 drop of liquid) it'll reflect a full reading.
You're likely to
1. have a faulty gauge
2. have a really bad leak somewhere which managed to empty your tank almost completely in 20 mins
3. be storing your cylinder in a really cold place
could be, but definitely not full cos only 2kg difference.
unlikely, i would have notice and did i mention it was'nt so heavy when i took from him..
in the cabinet under my tank.
the gauge does not indicate the amount of co2 in your tank, period.
from the size of your cylinder, it will hold about 4 litres of liquid co2.
well, you can try getting your refill from industrial co2 companies. they would have the proper equipment and method for refill.
thomas liew
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