[GSAS-Member] CO2 blah blah

[pwallace@u.washington.edu]

Susan:

I am glad to hear that shutting the tank off at the needle valve is working 
well fou you.  I would like to mention that needle valves are not intentioned 
(or particullarly good at) for daily on/off duty.  First, it makes the bubble 
rate unsteady (risky IMHO) and results in extra wear on the valve which can 
lead to a malfunction.  I recommend a ball valve (on/off) in addition to the 
needle valve.

You just need to know the threaded port size (most likely 1/8") to buy a ball 
valve.  If the handle is inline, gas on.  If the handle is 90*, gas off.  No 
fuss.

I really like swagelok with rigid tubing for gas delivery (kitten resistant).

-Paul

***************************
Alumni 2005
University Of Washington
***************************

On Tue, 20 Feb 2007, SUSAN WELENOFSKY wrote:

> What I have been doing (for the third time) is shutting down the black screw
> top that comes with the tank. If the valve to shut of the whole tank is a
> needle valve, I would be surprised. So, I think the correct term for what I
> had been doing is turning off the main valve.
>
> BUT, Erik's suggestion worked, which actually was to shut of the
> needle-valve instead of turning off the tank. So, NOW, as of today, I am
> shutting it off using the needle valve and with the pressure lower, like 10
> or 15 psi instead of 20.
>
> I thought silicone was better than vinyl. At least, that's what June
> Olberding used, and I got her stuff for taking care of her 20-30 planted
> tank room. If I am wrong, someone please correct me. She has blue tubing
> going from regulator to the main needle valve and I am using about two
> inches green silicone tubing from the needle valve, to the check valve, then
> to the line reducer for the mini-vinyl line to the diffusers which are
> placed in the aquarium and make CO2 bubbles which make the plants grow.
>
> Susan
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gsas-member-bounces@thekrib.com
> [mailto:gsas-member-bounces@thekrib.com] On Behalf Of none
> Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 11:55 AM
> To: gsas-member@thekrib.com
> Subject: Re: [GSAS-Member] CO2 blah blah
>
> Sounds to me like you are shuting down the needle valve and not the
> regulator itself. this allows a decent amount of pressure build up to be
> expelled in the morning. you need a silenoid and a timer to auto-shut the
> whole thing down at night.
> Also silecone tubing is the worst thing you can use for CO2. Def swap out to
> some polyurithane tubing or at least normal vinyl airline tubing.
>
> The DR F&S kit you priced out is the super deluxe one.  you can get the
> basics for much cheaper. around 120.
> the Azoo and JBJ and Milewaukee regulators are all basically the same thing.
>
>
> If you want some quality CO2 parts talk to www.rexgrigg.com that guy's outta
> portland and only uses quality parts.
>
>
>> Message: 4
>> Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2007 22:01:34 -0800
>> From: "Susan Welenofsky" <welenofsky@comcast.net>
>> Subject: [GSAS-Member] CO2 Systems
>> To: "GSAS Member Chat" ><gsas-member@thekrib.com>
>> Message-ID: <001001c753eb$68f11b00$7947aa43@Hero>
> Content-Type: text/plain;       charset="us-ascii"
>
>> I have June O's CO2 regulator, and I think the >brass things are needle
>> valves. The trouble is when I have more that one >connection, it's all
>> screwy. I shut the valve off at night. When I turn it >on, it is high
>> pressure, sometimes blows the silicone hoses.
>> then I have to adjust the
> pressure valve. Then the pressure goes way down after awhile, and I have to
> readjust. Then adjust all the needle valves. Then move the hoses. Then the
> CO2 pours out or doesn't come out all. Then fiddle with the needle valves
> again. Then there was the time all the gas escaped into the apartment.
>
>
>
> This thing is driving me crazy. It seems like I can only run one tank
> successfully, when I'd like to do two or three, like June. However, I would
> like to turn it off at night, right? Does anyone here know of a good system
> or can direct me to someone or someplace that does? I see that it may cost
> $322 at Drs. Foster and Smith for a complete package that has an Azoo
> regulator. I've heard the JBL regulators on Ebay are no good and Milwaukee
> is, and of course ADA is the most expensive money can buy.
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