Re: [AGA Member] CO2 regulator question or -- Irregular regulation

[david <hipchack@yahoo.com>]

hmm... I see. I checked the gauges for leaks and they
also appear to be fine. I have been busy with school
lately and haven't been able to keep a close eye on my
aquariums. They're running in "automatic" mode (haha!)
right now. I will keep a close eye on the co2
regulator now though and the co2 levels in the
aquarium. If my co2 tank empties again I can assume
something is wrong with the regulator and try to
further test it out. 

Is there anything that would explain the "pops" I see
with the needle in the output gauge? Could this be due
to grit within the regulator? Is the "hissing" within
the regulator and these pops normal?

thanks,
david lim


--- "S. Hieber" <shieber@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Some diaphragms are made of metal (some stainless
> steel)
> and some use rubber, which is more likely to develop
> a
> leak. If a diaphragm is leaking, your regulator
> should have
> a hard time maintaining steady pressure. Also if the
> valve
> seats are imperfect (grit or whatever) the same
> thing can
> happen. In each of those cases you would either be
> sending
> the CO2 to the atmosphere or to the aquarium.
> 
> The gauges use, essentially, long curved brass
> balloons --
> when the pressure is greater, the balloons tend to
> straighten, which pushes the lever that moves the
> needle. A
> balloon could leak, which is why I suggested
> checking the
> valves.
> 
> Pure supposition, compared to the rock hard
> empiricism so
> far ;-): A fine crack in a diaphragm or balloon
> could allow
> gas to escape or flow too fast only for a short
> while-- as
> the metal moves it opens and closes the crack. But
> if
> enough is escaping into the aquarium to quickly
> empty the
> CO2 tnak, I don't see why it wouldn't raise the CO2
> level
> inthe aquarium.
> 
> A stumper. Hmmmmph!
> 
> sh
> 
> 
> 
> 
> --- david <hipchack@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > I have almost just covered the co2 regulator in
> soapy
> > water but found no leaks at this time. Most likely
> > there was a leak before, but it isn't there now.
> My
> > regulator and fittings are not glued together so
> at
> > times they can become loose. It was an experiment
> of
> > mine put together a dual stage regulator with two
> > swagelok metering valves. I plan to take apart the
> > apparatus in the future. However, I am a little
> > concerned with the regulator making the hissing
> noise
> > WITHIN the body of the regulator. Could it be one
> of
> > the stages are bad? I will apply soapy water
> around
> > the gauges to see if there is a leak in the casing
> or
> > anything. Thanks for the reply scott,
> > 
> > david lim
> > 
> > 
> > --- "S. Hieber" <shieber@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > > If your CO2 tank is emptying much too quickly
> and
> > > your
> > > Aquarium CO2 levels are running exceptionally
> higher
> > > than
> > > normal, then you must have a leak.
> > > 
> > > Did you check the gauges for leaks?
> > > 
> > > sh
> > > --- david <hipchack@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > > > Hey all,
> > > > My co2 regulator is making a hissing noise and
> i
> > > was
> > > > wondering if it was normal? The hissing noise
> is
> > > > coming from within the regulator. Also when I
> > > decrease
> > > > the co2 regulator knob the noise will go away
> and
> > > once
> > > > the output reaches 10 psi the needle on the
> gauge
> > > will
> > > > pop back to 20 psi but fall straight back to
> 10.
> > > It is
> > > > a veriflo dual stage regulator. I checked for
> co2
> > > > leaks but could not find any. The reason I ask
> is
> > > > because this regulator went through a 5 lb co2
> > > tank
> > > > within a week, which sometimes occurs because
> a
> > > > fitting is loose. However, I replaced the tank
> and
> > > > checked the fittings and there are no leaks. I
> > > have
> > > > another co2 regualtor built by scott cerrata
> which
> > > > makes no noise whatsoever. thanks for the
> help,
> > > > 
> > > > david
> > > > 
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> > > 
> > > =====
> > > S. Hieber
> > > 
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> 
> =====
> S. Hieber
> 
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