CO2 Tank and Regulator Question

jay24k · 08/30/2006, 01:28 PM

My regulator is putting out about 1 bubble a second max. No matter how much I turn the pressure from the big black knob or how much I open the needle valve, it doesn't change. The tank isn't empty as far as I can tell. If it was, I was told the pressure from the bigger knob wouldn't go up.

I called Milwaukee and they said it sounds like the needle valve can't handle the amount of co2 through it and it's possible a spec of dust or something is stuck in there. Has anyone heard of this or experienced this? Kind of odd.

rigleautomotive · 08/30/2006, 01:32 PM

it happens .i clean mine every time i change media or it will develope problems before the next maintenence.you can soak it in vinegar,not the electrical portion.remove the brass valve and clean,that may help.

jay24k · 08/30/2006, 02:54 PM

Do you mean where the hose attaches or somewhere else? I can let it escape into air without the hose and the speed doesn't increase at all either.

rigleautomotive · 08/30/2006, 03:17 PM

yes the brass needle valve unscrews on mine and the valve can be disassembled from the solenoid(elec part) and soaked in vinegar.this alwaws restores mine back to normal

jay24k · 08/30/2006, 04:29 PM

Ahh ok. I guess I'll try that.

j_gilbert · 08/30/2006, 04:31 PM

sounds like you might have a bad check valve

jay24k · 08/30/2006, 04:40 PM

Check valve where? As far as I know, there isn't one on the regulator anywhere. I can disconnect the reactor and test just the tank and regulator and it does the same thing. So I know it isn't the reactor.

jay24k · 08/30/2006, 06:01 PM

I did the vinegar thing and that portion of the regulator was tough to get off. I ended up putting some teflon before I put it back on just in case. It works great now. Thanks again and I guess I'll be getting a new one in the mail anyway.

rigleautomotive · 08/30/2006, 07:28 PM

you gotta clean them at least once a year IME or they act up.i am glad it helped.happy reefin

08/30/2006, 01:28 PM	#1
jay24k Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Leesburg, Florida Posts: 6,546	CO2 Tank and Regulator Question My regulator is putting out about 1 bubble a second max. No matter how much I turn the pressure from the big black knob or how much I open the needle valve, it doesn't change. The tank isn't empty as far as I can tell. If it was, I was told the pressure from the bigger knob wouldn't go up. I called Milwaukee and they said it sounds like the needle valve can't handle the amount of co2 through it and it's possible a spec of dust or something is stuck in there. Has anyone heard of this or experienced this? Kind of odd.

08/30/2006, 01:32 PM	#2
rigleautomotive Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northeast Pennsylvania Posts: 3,705	it happens .i clean mine every time i change media or it will develope problems before the next maintenence.you can soak it in vinegar,not the electrical portion.remove the brass valve and clean,that may help. __________________ Dan Rigle President, * Reef Conservation Society TOTM December 2010 Coral Magazine Sept/Oct 2012 Current Tank Info: 180 gal SPS dominated display, 3 X 250 watt Radiums , lumenarc III minis , with VHO actinics, ETS downdraft skimmers, closed loops and 2 Tunze 6105 & 7095 controller,DIY calcium reactors DIY custom built sumps,since 1992

08/30/2006, 03:17 PM	#4
rigleautomotive Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northeast Pennsylvania Posts: 3,705	yes the brass needle valve unscrews on mine and the valve can be disassembled from the solenoid(elec part) and soaked in vinegar.this alwaws restores mine back to normal __________________ Dan Rigle President, * Reef Conservation Society TOTM December 2010 Coral Magazine Sept/Oct 2012 Current Tank Info: 180 gal SPS dominated display, 3 X 250 watt Radiums , lumenarc III minis , with VHO actinics, ETS downdraft skimmers, closed loops and 2 Tunze 6105 & 7095 controller,DIY calcium reactors DIY custom built sumps,since 1992

08/30/2006, 07:28 PM	#9
rigleautomotive Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northeast Pennsylvania Posts: 3,705	you gotta clean them at least once a year IME or they act up.i am glad it helped.happy reefin __________________ Dan Rigle President, * Reef Conservation Society TOTM December 2010 Coral Magazine Sept/Oct 2012 Current Tank Info: 180 gal SPS dominated display, 3 X 250 watt Radiums , lumenarc III minis , with VHO actinics, ETS downdraft skimmers, closed loops and 2 Tunze 6105 & 7095 controller,DIY calcium reactors DIY custom built sumps,since 1992

08/30/2006, 02:54 PM	#3
jay24k Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Leesburg, Florida Posts: 6,546	Do you mean where the hose attaches or somewhere else? I can let it escape into air without the hose and the speed doesn't increase at all either.

08/30/2006, 04:29 PM	#5
jay24k Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Leesburg, Florida Posts: 6,546	Ahh ok. I guess I'll try that.

08/30/2006, 04:31 PM	#6
j_gilbert Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 83	sounds like you might have a bad check valve

08/30/2006, 04:40 PM	#7
jay24k Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Leesburg, Florida Posts: 6,546	Check valve where? As far as I know, there isn't one on the regulator anywhere. I can disconnect the reactor and test just the tank and regulator and it does the same thing. So I know it isn't the reactor.

08/30/2006, 06:01 PM	#8
jay24k Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Leesburg, Florida Posts: 6,546	I did the vinegar thing and that portion of the regulator was tough to get off. I ended up putting some teflon before I put it back on just in case. It works great now. Thanks again and I guess I'll be getting a new one in the mail anyway.