Co2 tank refill question

[CincyScaper]

Ok guys I am In a real bad shape here. Got the new tank and tried to reconnect and all the gas is leaking from the side of the regulator where I have my hands on. What is going on!!!!
View attachment IMG_4802.MOV

 

[techman81]

So the area where you put your hand is where gas comes into the solenoid manifold. If that section easily rotates, that nut where your finger was is loose and needs tightened.

 

[techman81]

I should add, if you actually disconnected that section from the regulator at any time, it's also possible the small gasket inside that connection came out.

 

[CincyScaper]

I never removed anything, just the old tank so not sure how there could have been a leak suddenly. I tried tightening the nut without any luck.

 

[techman81]

My concern is, like me recently, you're experiencing an Fzone regulator failure. It does appear from the video and sound that the leak is indeed around that connection but whether it's the connection into the regulator port or the solenoid is unclear. can you pour a little soapy water around the connection to see exactly where bubbles build up?

 

[Kwyet]

I have one tank that I bought used. I have to use this on the threads to get a good seal.




Edit: Sorry, I misunderstood where the leak was coming from.

 

[Koan]

In order to identify where the leak is coming from, spray soapy water on each junction and look carefully for bubbles.

Here is @Bettatail's step by step by step process of leak testing any CO2 regulator system :

Complete Leak Check, CO2 pressurized system

CO2 is toxic in higher concentrations: 1% (10,000 ppm) will make some people feel drowsy.[7] Concentrations of 7% to 10% cause dizziness, headache, visual and hearing dysfunction, and unconsciousness within a few minutes to an hour ---make sure your house ventilation is good, or your system is...

www.plantedtank.net

Just to clarify, you will need to make sure a crushable fiber or nylon washer is always installed between the regulator stem and the port on the tank.



Each time you release the regulator, you'll need to put in a new washer, and when you tighten the stem bolt on the regulator onto the tank you'll need to tighten it until that washer is crushed.

 

[CincyScaper]

In order to identify where the leak is coming from, spray soapy water on each junction and look carefully for bubbles.

Here is @Bettatail's step by step by step process of leak testing any CO2 regulator system :

Complete Leak Check, CO2 pressurized system

CO2 is toxic in higher concentrations: 1% (10,000 ppm) will make some people feel drowsy.[7] Concentrations of 7% to 10% cause dizziness, headache, visual and hearing dysfunction, and unconsciousness within a few minutes to an hour ---make sure your house ventilation is good, or your system is...

www.plantedtank.net

Just to clarify, you will need to make sure a crushable fiber or nylon washer is always installed between the regulator stem and the port on the tank.

View attachment 11211

Each time you release the regulator, you'll need to put in a new washer, and when you tighten the stem bolt on the regulator onto the tank you'll need to tighten it until that washer is crushed.

Is that correct ? I did not see that on the Fzone regulator instruction. Is it between the co2 tank and regulator ? There is a black washer. I know that the EU version is different

 

[techman81]

The color can be different between different brands. You might see black, white, or clear, but you should definitely have a a washer/gasket of some type.

 

[techman81]

Just checked my failed Fzone and it uses a black ring gasket. Typically extras are included in the original box.

 

[techman81]

Fzone tank to regulator connection gasket plus spare.

 

[Koan]

Is that correct ? I did not see that on the Fzone regulator instruction

Okay that's a weird seal




In any case first figure out where the leak is coming from. If the replacement o-ring gets you a good seal between the tank and regulator, then don't worry about it. If not you can try a standard CGA 320 crush washer.

The benefit of an o-ring, rather than a crush washer, is if you are getting a good seal you don't have to change it out every time you take the regulator off.

 

[techman81]

The benefit of an o-ring, rather than a crush washer, is if you are getting a good seal you don't have to change it out every time you take the regulator off.

GLA uses a clear reusable flat gasket/washer.

 

[gnatster]

GLA uses a clear reusable flat gasket/washer.

I still bought extras for mine. Lessons learned the hard way,

 

[CincyScaper]

It was the o-ring gasket!

It looked intact, but guess it must have had a microtear or something. The Fzone regulator came with 2 extra-replacement ones and once I changed it everything worked well with no leaks!!

Thanks everyone for your help on this!

On a different note, the place I got my Co2 cylinder exchanged mentioned that the best way to know when ones Co2 cylinder is going to be empty is by weight as @techman81 mentioned. He advised to note down the weight with regulator and keep re-checking and take in for replacement when the weight is down by 4 lbs for a 5 lbs tank (the cylinder itself probably measures 7-8 lbs).

I am guessing the drop in the pressure might have been from this gasket leak, since my prior tank weighed atleast 1/2 full.

 

[techman81]

It was the o-ring gasket!

It looked intact, but guess it must have had a microtear or something. The Fzone regulator came with 2 extra-replacement ones and once I changed it everything worked well with no leaks!!

Thanks everyone for your help on this!

On a different note, the place I got my Co2 cylinder exchanged mentioned that the best way to know when ones Co2 cylinder is going to be empty is by weight as @techman81 mentioned. He advised to note down the weight with regulator and keep re-checking and take in for replacement when the weight is down by 4 lbs for a 5 lbs tank (the cylinder itself probably measures 7-8 lbs).

I am guessing the drop in the pressure might have been from this gasket leak, since my prior tank weighed atleast 1/2 full.

Just glad you got everything back up and running with little down time for the plants.

Now get some backup equipment!

 

[CincyScaper]

Just glad you got everything back up and running with little down time for the plants.

Now get some backup equipment!

Thanks! Yah definitely need a backup filled cylinder and regulator! Question is which one. Will have to find the thread on the custom one that Rocco mentioned

 

[Phish Tank]

I actually weigh my freshly filled tank when I get home from getting it filled. Not because I’m worried about a skimpy fill, but because one time it came home dramatically overfilled. Glad I noticed the pressure was waaay high when I attached it, I took it outside and bled off enough til the weight of the tank was where it should be. Then the pressure looked correct when I reattached it to the regulator.

 

[snowballs99]

At 1-2 bubble per second, which what I ran on mines, you got another 2 months.

I was always paranoid about it about to run out once it reached red, but it still took forever to do so.

If your CO2 runs out at a time you can't get it refilled, you can just keep the lights off in the tank for a few days. Pretty helpful at clearing up any leftover algae as well.