When to Re-fill C02 Tank?

TheH · 09/09/2008, 06:39 PM

At what internal pressure should you consider your calcium-reactor's CO2 tank in need to re-filling?

AZDesertRat · 09/09/2008, 07:52 PM

Its really hard to gauge a CO2 cylinders state. They fill CO2 by weight not pressure so the high pressure gauge is almost meaningless. It will go along reading 500 or whatever and one day drop to 0. The cylinder should have the tare or empty weight stamped on it somewhere. When they fill it they add 5 lbs of 10 lbs or whatever the size is so it would be the tare weight plus the compressed CO2 weight when it is full and only the tare weight or somewhere in between when it is close to empty.

das75 · 09/09/2008, 08:05 PM

Find the same with mine, going along allow fine then one day notice at zero, obviously time to change then.

cnaegler · 09/10/2008, 06:15 AM

I have a 5 lb. cylinder and it stays around 900# and i tend to know that it's preparing to run out when it starts dropping. It doesn't drop for long, maybe a day, before it's out.

TheH · 09/10/2008, 11:45 AM

Thanks for the input. Perhaps, I should keep a small weighing scale under it in order to estimate it's current level of CO2?

das75 · 09/10/2008, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TheH
Perhaps, I should keep a small weighing scale under it in order to estimate it's current level of CO2?

Wouldn't think necessary, when you notice it's empty, fill it. Just make glancing at the gauge as part of your regular routines.

TheH · 09/10/2008, 05:34 PM

I have heard that if you don't fill it in time, then water will get sucked into the CO2 tank and ruin it?

Jayreefer · 09/10/2008, 05:54 PM

I use a check valve. I was told that you should.

cnaegler · 09/10/2008, 06:19 PM

You should definitely have a check valve somewhere between the needle valve and bubble counter.

09/09/2008, 06:39 PM	#1
TheH Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 1,278	When to Re-fill C02 Tank? At what internal pressure should you consider your calcium-reactor's CO2 tank in need to re-filling?

09/10/2008, 06:15 AM	#4
cnaegler Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Sylva, NC-Western North Carolina Posts: 960	I have a 5 lb. cylinder and it stays around 900# and i tend to know that it's preparing to run out when it starts dropping. It doesn't drop for long, maybe a day, before it's out. __________________ Craig _________________________ ATL "Superman" acro, Vivid's Rainbow Delight acro wanted You can want in one hand and crap in the other and see which one fills up first!! Save the reefs! Buy captive bred fish and aquacultured corals! Current Tank Info: Downsizing to a 120 BB SPS tank, 6205 &6305 Tunze on 7095 controller, Current USA extreme 8 x 54 fixture

09/10/2008, 06:19 PM	#9
cnaegler Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Sylva, NC-Western North Carolina Posts: 960	You should definitely have a check valve somewhere between the needle valve and bubble counter. __________________ Craig _________________________ ATL "Superman" acro, Vivid's Rainbow Delight acro wanted You can want in one hand and crap in the other and see which one fills up first!! Save the reefs! Buy captive bred fish and aquacultured corals! Current Tank Info: Downsizing to a 120 BB SPS tank, 6205 &6305 Tunze on 7095 controller, Current USA extreme 8 x 54 fixture

09/09/2008, 07:52 PM	#2
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Its really hard to gauge a CO2 cylinders state. They fill CO2 by weight not pressure so the high pressure gauge is almost meaningless. It will go along reading 500 or whatever and one day drop to 0. The cylinder should have the tare or empty weight stamped on it somewhere. When they fill it they add 5 lbs of 10 lbs or whatever the size is so it would be the tare weight plus the compressed CO2 weight when it is full and only the tare weight or somewhere in between when it is close to empty.

09/09/2008, 08:05 PM	#3
das75 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmonton AB Posts: 2,269	Find the same with mine, going along allow fine then one day notice at zero, obviously time to change then.

09/10/2008, 11:45 AM	#5
TheH Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 1,278	Thanks for the input. Perhaps, I should keep a small weighing scale under it in order to estimate it's current level of CO2?

09/10/2008, 05:34 PM	#7
TheH Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 1,278	I have heard that if you don't fill it in time, then water will get sucked into the CO2 tank and ruin it?

09/10/2008, 05:54 PM	#8
Jayreefer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Peoria Az Posts: 2,022	I use a check valve. I was told that you should.