ca reactor problems

[Acronuts]

Well guys I had my tank refilled on Monday and Sunday night my cylinder was empty.
Yep thats right empty! I don't fully understand why? I had the tank valve opened all the way. The solenoid i needed to keep adjusting. But I know that the needle valve was not opened all the way.
Evidently there is a leak somewhere.
Can solenoid's go bad?
Where else guys can I look for co2 leakage?
Anyhow right now I have everything turned off until I solve this problem.
If you were me what would be your plan of action. I don't mind refilling the tank again. Out here in Orlando it costs about $13.00 to fill a 5 lb tank.
In the meantime I will dose 2 part solution until I get things going with the ca reactor.
Thanks for your advice.

 

[Tanked]

Check the nylon washer between tank and reg.I had a buddy that that just happened to and he just needed to tightn the reg.Another buddy was missing the washer altogether.Other than that pull out some soapy water and try again to find the leak after you fill again.

 

[Tanked]

and by the way yes solenoids can and will go bad but you would probally notice the flow of bubles or your media might be mush.

 

[H@rry]

I had one with a leak in the fitting on top of the tank. It leaked out in a week. I took it back to the welding company where I got it and they swapped it out; no charge, no questions. Sometimes they don't get the valve on tight enough and it leaks. They make good money on gas exchanges so they don't mind making it good.

 

[Acronuts]

My jbj model regulator/solenoid is about 3-5 years old. I will have the washer replaced and fill the tank and then do the spray soapy water method. Will keep you all posted.

 

[Murfman]

Way my tank filler told me to test if the regulator is bad is to turn it on and let it pressure up, making sure you have pressure on both valves. Check where the needles are and then close the tank valve and let it sit for 20-25 minutes or so. Check the needles again. If the regulator is good, and you have a good seal between the regulator and tank, the needles won't move.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Mix up some dish soap and water in a spray bottle and spray all the connections and the regulator once you have the bottle refilled. If its leaking you will see bubbles.
Chances are it was the gasket (washer) between the valve and regulator which should be replaced every time you remove the regulator since it compresses or the packing and nut around the valve stem. Sometimes it best to not open a valve all the way but open it up completely the back it off a half turn or so so you don't compress or disturb the stem packing.

 

[Acronuts]

Thanks guys for your advice. I am also checking out this other company called www.aquariumplants.com
These guys product looks like it does a kick a _ _ job!
Anyone ever heard of them?

 

[AZDesertRat]

Looks like a good CO2 regulator if thats what you are referring to. Honestly, I have never had a single problem with my Milwaukee A-957 CO2 regulator in the 5 years I have had it in service, a more expensive one would look pretty but I don't need anything more accurate or reliable.

 

[benny z]

Thanks guys for your advice. I am also checking out this other company called www.aquariumplants.com
These guys product looks like it does a kick a _ _ job!
Anyone ever heard of them?

yes, in fact we use "the best in the world" regulator on a large public display system. very nice and extremely accurate/reliable regulator.

 

[110reef]

Its a buck a pound here in Louisiana. I fill mine at a fire extinguisher place. Other places you can get a fill from are beverage supply places and paintball supply places. Maybe you can find a less expensive place.

I have problems leaking out my charge from time to time as well. Mine leaks where the regulator meets the bottle. The face on my bottle nozzle isn't quite flat. I change the gasket every time I fill the bottle, and I tighten the heck out of it, but every now and then it gets loose enough (on its own)that the bottle will go away in a day. So, I need to get the nozzle face fixed. But mostly I just put up with it and fill the bottle for 5 bucks when it suddenly goes empty.

Out here in Orlando it costs about $13.00 to fill a 5 lb tank.

 

[Acronuts]

Yeah you are right it should be cheaper than what I pay for it here. I will do some more reasearch.

Its a buck a pound here in Louisiana. I fill mine at a fire extinguisher place. Other places you can get a fill from are beverage supply places and paintball supply places. Maybe you can find a less expensive place.

I have problems leaking out my charge from time to time as well. Mine leaks where the regulator meets the bottle. The face on my bottle nozzle isn't quite flat. I change the gasket every time I fill the bottle, and I tighten the heck out of it, but every now and then it gets loose enough (on its own)that the bottle will go away in a day. So, I need to get the nozzle face fixed. But mostly I just put up with it and fill the bottle for 5 bucks when it suddenly goes empty.

 

[Acronuts]

I did get the cylinder filled in today. I asked if the regulator washer looked like it needed to be replaced and they said no it looked like it was in great condition. They did say that it could be that the leakage may be coming from the solenoid itself.

My thoughts are as follows:
The places that I think of that can be places where leakage may occur are as follows.
1. From the solenoid to the backup valve tube that prevents water from backing up to the solenoid during power outages.
2. From that valve it goes into the bubble counter chamber. This is where I noticed a lot of bubbling when the needle valve was wide open.

I will try tomorrow or this weekend the soapy water test.