Fe Co2 Leak

[L_Plates]

Afternoon all.

I am wondering what is the best way to check for leaks on an FE. I have been struggling with my 2kg ones lasting. The longest lasted 23 days at 4-5bps running 6hrs a day.

I have checked the tubing and that is all ok but i am struggling on checking the FE/Reg/Solenoid for leaks.

Any ideas ?

Cheers
LP

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

Get a small paint brush and a cup of washing up liquid foam, and lightly paint it around the joints and watch for bubbles......Obviously don't get any wetness on the electrical part of the solenoid switch.

 

[L_Plates]

Ok i will give it a go tonight.

I just feel that the amount of time its lasting there has to be something wrong somewhere.

LP

 

[Katch]

How do you add it to the tank, what temp is your water and how much surface movement do you have? If you have an inefficient injection method, high temps and broken surface that means you'll be using loads more gas than you need.

 

[L_Plates]

I use a mist atomiser, temp is 27-28c good surface movement but not to much.

Even running 5bps i should get longer than 23 days from a 2kg fe hense i think i may have a leak.

LP

 

[Katch]

I use a mist atomiser, temp is 27-28c good surface movement but not to much.

Even running 5bps i should get longer than 23 days from a 2kg fe hense i think i may have a leak.

LP

You say good surface movement. Does the surface break or just ripple? Your temps are on the high side (is this due to a particular fish you stock?). It is harder to keep CO2 disolved in warmer water.

 

[ian]

i tend to weigh the cylinders when i get them. Is this the only cylinder it's happened to?

 

[L_Plates]

I use a mist atomiser, temp is 27-28c good surface movement but not to much.

Even running 5bps i should get longer than 23 days from a 2kg fe hense i think i may have a leak.

LP

You say good surface movement. Does the surface break or just ripple? Your temps are on the high side (is this due to a particular fish you stock?). It is harder to keep CO2 disolved in warmer water.

Sorry mate, the surface ripples but does not break. Temp is 27-28 due to German Blue Rams. Here is a video of my tank which will show surface movement.

http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm-zBdjDOew

LP

 

[Katch]

Nice hillstreams.

The setup looks bang on.

Try the soapy water test. Target places like your non-return valve and bubble counter as well as the reg and solenoid.

Might be worth replacing the o-ring in your regulator anyway and tighten it a touch.

i tend to weigh the cylinders when i get them. Is this the only cylinder it's happened to?

I do the same. A full 2kg FE should weight 4.9kg

 

[L_Plates]

i tend to weigh the cylinders when i get them. Is this the only cylinder it's happened to?

No the last 2

LP

Nice hillstreams.

The setup looks bang on.

Try the soapy water test. Target places like your non-return valve and bubble counter as well as the reg and solenoid.

Might be worth replacing the o-ring in your regulator anyway and tighten it a touch.

i tend to weigh the cylinders when i get them. Is this the only cylinder it's happened to?

I do the same. A full 2kg FE should weight 4.9kg

Cheers i will have a good look tonight.

I will update on what i find or do not find..

LP

 

[L_Plates]

Ok check all tubing where it is connected to check valves and so on, all ok no leaks.

Checked the ref/sol and FE connections. All good no leaks.

Last week my bubble counter had a leak i know that for sure. When i was trying to sort this out i broke it and have not yet replaced it. Maybe that was the issue all along and now im leak free?

I have 2 Drop Checkers in the tank and know what BAR/PSI i was running at so im not worried about gassing the fish without a Bubble Counter in place.

Maybe i should see how long this now lasts without the BC in place ?

LP