Co2 Help

[Crazybob]

hey guys, i just got the azoo co2 regulator with magnetic valve. (http/www.drsfostersmith.com/product/detailed_image.cfm?pCatId=9935&large=/images/Categoryimages/larger/lg_14712_FS22666D.jpg) and i was wondering how to adjust the output and things. the directions it came with are of no help. they just say to plug it in and adjust, but ive never had one so i dont know what i have to actually adjust on the mechanism.

thanks
crazybob

 

[aaronnorth]

you should have a needle valve to do that, you turn the wheel one way to release more gas, and the other to reduce it.

 

[Crazybob]

hey thanks aaron,

i have another question tho, where can i buy a co2 tank for a good price? (in the us). the cheapest ive found so far is around $60 for a 5lb tank. is this the avg rate? or should i try someone local who might have it cheaper? such as a welder supply co.

thanks for any advice,
crazybob

 

[aaronnorth]

not sure about US market, i pay £22 for a 2kg here in UK

 

[Crazybob]

thanks guys. i picked up a tank and have it going at about 2-3 b/s. i have 2 questions tho... im sure what each gauge actually represents. ive read that if you let the pressure in the tank get too low that it will eventually release all the gas into the tank, and obviously i dont want that to happen so id like to know how to tell when its getting low.

my other question is, my gauge is on a timer, will the pressure on the gauge build up overnight and blow up? that became quite a concern for me right when i screwed in the tank lol

 

[SuperColey1]

The dials/Gauges are cylinder pressure and output pressure. the cylinder pressure should read 50bar+ when a new bottle is connected.

You should have 2 'knobs' to adjust. The large one on the regulator which is to open close the regulator, then there should be a smaller one on a needle valve (you need to have a needle valve because the knob on the regulator is far too inaccurate.)

You should close the regulator knob fully. Then open the needle valve fully. The open the regulator knob until you get about 1.5 - 2 bar on the output pressure gauge. Then you can close the needle valve fully, let the bubble rate stop and the CO2 to stop. Then open it slowly until you get your desired bubble rate (wait 10 minutes after each adjustment to let the bubble rate settle.) Adjust if needed after 10 minutes.

Leave setting your CO2 up for when you have a full day as you will have to keep on checking back to make sure it is not too high for any inhabitants.

Best also to make sure you have a drop checker using 4dKH water and bromo blue so that it can let you see (albeit a few hours behind) what your levels are.

When the cylinder is almost empty you will see the cylinder pressure start to fall. Keep an eye on it because once it gets perilously close to 20bar or less it can dump the rest. some regulators do this some don't. I have no idea why.

AC

 

[Crazybob]

hey thanks for the help, i have an azoo regulator. i think it only has the needle valve tho. altho it does have a magnetic valve, is that the same as the course adjuster? the mag adjust plugs into the wall and is on a timer to sync with the light.

should i just crack open the dial on the tank itself?

the gauge on the left reads 55psi (4.5kg/cm3) [which i think is about 3.8bar] and the one on the right read 900psi (60 kg/cm3) [62 bar]

heres a pic of it, i hope it works, i dunno how to put in links.
<a href="http/www.drsfostersmith.com/product/deta...50_FS21158D.jpg" target="_blank">http/www.drsfostersmith.com/product/deta...50_FS21158D.jpg</a>

 

[SuperColey1]

On that picture the needle valve is the gold section with the knob that is on the underside of the black solenoid valve.

Have a look at this thread on your regulator. It seems that the regulator pressure is controlled by an allen key fitting underneath the screw in the centre. Take a read:

http/www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumap...-need-help.html

AC