My solenoid was working fine this afternoon, and now after siesta, ON the thing, was shocked to see the working pressure has dropped from 40psi to 30psi. Furthermore, the bubbles are only coming out 1 per 5 secs, no matter how i adjust the vavle. Can someone help? Very cak-sim now
Solenoid was bought 2nd hand and I used only for about 10 days, was working fine all the way until now. I have just fixed an inline diffuser to it yesterday. And solenoid is connected to a timer switch. I have already replug the solenoid to a normal power point and still the same... Solenoid dying of old age?
what is your CO2 cylinder pressure? any leakage somewhere? the working pressure stays at 30 psi even after some time?
thomas liew
I have just top-up the tank yesterday, showing 900psi. Yup stays at 30 doesn't move from there even if I have switched off the solenoid
Did a 1 to 1 exchange for the tank, could the new co2 be faulty?
Oops showing 1000psi not 900
Thanks Tawauboy, I think Chan is the solution haha..read a few post about solenoid problems all suggest Chan LOLOriginally Posted by tawauboy
take out the inline diffuser and see if it is working.
Cheers Shadow!! Bubble counter back in business!! But pressure still shows 30psi and I tried mucking around with the valve but no mist showing... Is my inline diffuser faulty then?
Prior to this incident, with 1bps, tank was misted up..but now..no special effects
What must I do to get it back to original working order Shadow?
the inline diffuser required higher working pressure. My guess is 30 psi is not enough. As for why initially OK, I have no idea unless your regulator is adjustable working pressure which is very rare in Singapore.
Looks like it's back to Chan haha thanks for the help!
Even the older single ceramic Up aqua inline diffuser requires higher psi to work?
Both the older and newer Up Aqua inline diffusers require >30 PSI to operate, some website even suggest need >36 PSI to work properly. I've even read about some people with adjustable regulators cranking their working pressure up to 50+ PSI then it works.
Maybe only once your system is connected and switched on, then it's actual working pressure shows and that level could have ended up just slightly below the optimal working limit.
Your working pressure starting at 40 PSI and then decreasing slightly when in operation is normal with ceramic-based diffuser systems, it's due to the back-pressure from the system, but if you switch it off, the working pressure should gradually revert back to 40PSI... if it doesn't , then it means the pressure still remaining in the tubing is maintaining that back pressure, try disconnecting the Co2 tubing from the diffuser and see if it goes back up to 40PSI.
The bubble count dropping until very low indicates something is either stuck or not enough effective pressure to push the Co2 through the diffuser's ceramic tube.
Btw, make sure you turn the main valve on the Co2 tank to open fully so that it supplies maximum Co2 flow, not halfway or three-quarter way, as that could reduce working pressure.
Also check the checkvalve used on the Co2 tubing, if it's a particularly "strong" type, it might increase pressure requirements on the system too, or somehow cause a bottleneck during operation.
Last edited by Urban Aquaria; 17th Apr 2014 at 01:04.
If no leakage, then not enough pressure. Up inline reactor required a lot of pressure to work.
I am balding but i am still young!
Seems like my pressure doesn't go back to 40psi now. But I muck around with the few variables you highlighted. Finally removed the check valve and everything was back to normal. I was using the steel type of check valve from ANS, probably that caused the bottleneck on the system. Any suggestion on which type of check valve wouldn't cause a bottleneck but still works as a reliable stop to backwash?
the steel type need more pressure, so that will reduce the total pressure at your inline diffuser. But the steel type is the best in term of back flow
Looks like i got to forgo the check valve for the diffuser then.the steel type need more pressure, so that will reduce the total pressure at your inline diffuser. But the steel type is the best in term of back flow
Thanks guys for all your help! The last 2 days of my aquarium keeping hasn't been much fun haha but definitely appreciate all the troubleshooting suggestions!!
Check valve is rather important to prevent backflow. If steel is not working out for you, maybe can try the plastic ones, although I personally prefers the steel ones.
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