well i can say that i havent quite got my co2 levels sorted out yet because i use a solenoid hooked to my light timer, and every time it comes on its never at the same needle valve setting it was when last running.soooo im gonn just plug it into my constant hot outlet and keep it going 24/7 like my ladders were.i dont know why but it never comes on with the same pressure.i only hope i dont burn out my solenoid because it gets pretty hot after running daily.im thinking i should of got a regulator without the solenoid.that might only be my problem but wanted to throw it out there for possible future purchasees.does anyone know if its difficult to convert to no solenoid?i purchased the jbj regulator with bubble counter and solenoid.
Feedback On My New Jbj Solenoid
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jmuccillo
Fish Fanatic
I had the same problem with my CO2 unit when I first got it. I would set it on say 1 bubble per second one day and the next day I could get anything from nothing at all to 5 bubbles per second. I played around with it quite a bit fiddling with both the course adjustment and needle valve and eventually got it to produce more or less the same output each day. With my unit opening up the course adjustment fully and then using the needle valve for fine adjustment seemed to be the key. I can also remove the solenoid from my unit but prefer not to have the CO2 running at night
srolfe
Fish Fanatic
I have had the same problem. I found that the bubble counter was actually causing the problem. When I removed the counter and added a check valve in-line the needle valve output stabilized.
What pressure are you running the unit at?
As far as i know if you run the regulator at low pressure the output is unstable, the higher the pressure the more stable the output becomes, i think somewhere around 1.5 bar should be ok, but do some research on this they dont sell those regulators over here, so i do not own one.
As far as i know if you run the regulator at low pressure the output is unstable, the higher the pressure the more stable the output becomes, i think somewhere around 1.5 bar should be ok, but do some research on this they dont sell those regulators over here, so i do not own one.
well i just ran out of co2 today and cant refill till tommorrow, but i adjusted so many times i couldnt tell you what it was set at zig.i tried both settings high and low and did find that when the pressure was a little higher it did come on the next day only now it was flowing even faster than when i last left it and had too much co2.this may sound stupid but where is the course adjustment?is it the valve on the bottle itself?thanks
Was this a 5lb cylinder or something like that? if it was it sounds like you may have had a leak for it to run out so quickly.
The valve on the bottle itself should be opened fully when the regulator is in the off position, then you open up the regulator, which in my case i increase the pressure to 1 or 1.5 bar or thereabouts and then i use the needle valve to fine tune the bubble count, im not sure by what is meant by the course setting, but it is not the valve on the bottle itself as this should be left open and the regulator should do the rest.
The valve on the bottle itself should be opened fully when the regulator is in the off position, then you open up the regulator, which in my case i increase the pressure to 1 or 1.5 bar or thereabouts and then i use the needle valve to fine tune the bubble count, im not sure by what is meant by the course setting, but it is not the valve on the bottle itself as this should be left open and the regulator should do the rest.
yes it is a 5lb bottle and yes i to think i have a leak somewhere because i think it should have lasted way longer than this.its only been maybe 3weeks.if i have an electric solenoid i dont open anything except the needle valve since the regulator comes on with the solenoid.also do i need to take all the parts off and teflon tape them?i only tape the main connection where it goes on the bottle since it was all assembled when i got it.i was thinking i might take it all apart and tape up the connections.heres the one i have zig
http
/cgi.ebay.com/NEW-JBJ-CO2-SOLENOID-R...1QQcmdZViewItem
http
/cgi.ebay.com/NEW-JBJ-CO2-SOLENOID-R...1QQcmdZViewItem
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Well im not familar with this particular brand of regulator so i am no expert, as far as i am aware you do NOT use any teflon tape anywhere on the regulator (i think this applies to any co2 regulator)
If you look at the main nut at the back of the regulator this should contain a seal (in Europe they are a disc shape usually made of acrylic) and this is where the main connection will be made, you should ensure the seal is in good shape, this is more than likely where you were leaking the co2, you should first of all check the seal is in good condition before you hook up the new cylinder, tighten accordingly and then the next day (and this is important) check that the nut is still sufficiently tight with a wrench (ive read you need to do this when hooking up new cylinders because of temprature flucuations etc) you can then check the seals with Windex (i think its the US equivelent of windolene) you spray this around all the seals particularily the main connection to the co2 cylinder and check for leaks, but you check all seals for leaks, where the co2 line is hooked up etc. Also check around the bubble counter on these for leaks also, i have read they can be problematic sometimes.
You definatly had a leak, a 5lb co2 cylinder should last at least a year or longer on a 29 gallon tank being run with a solenoid.
Just double check you dont have a leak with washing up liquid and a little water if you dont have windex (the windex isnt important its just something a lot of people use to check for leaks, the soapy water will do just fine) the leak probably caused the regulator to become unstable and was probably at the root of most of your problems to begin with, i would just chalk it down to experience and be a bit more methodical with the next co2 cylinder, once you know you are not leaking co2 you should be ok............best of luck with the refill.
If you look at the main nut at the back of the regulator this should contain a seal (in Europe they are a disc shape usually made of acrylic) and this is where the main connection will be made, you should ensure the seal is in good shape, this is more than likely where you were leaking the co2, you should first of all check the seal is in good condition before you hook up the new cylinder, tighten accordingly and then the next day (and this is important) check that the nut is still sufficiently tight with a wrench (ive read you need to do this when hooking up new cylinders because of temprature flucuations etc) you can then check the seals with Windex (i think its the US equivelent of windolene) you spray this around all the seals particularily the main connection to the co2 cylinder and check for leaks, but you check all seals for leaks, where the co2 line is hooked up etc. Also check around the bubble counter on these for leaks also, i have read they can be problematic sometimes.
You definatly had a leak, a 5lb co2 cylinder should last at least a year or longer on a 29 gallon tank being run with a solenoid.
Just double check you dont have a leak with washing up liquid and a little water if you dont have windex (the windex isnt important its just something a lot of people use to check for leaks, the soapy water will do just fine) the leak probably caused the regulator to become unstable and was probably at the root of most of your problems to begin with, i would just chalk it down to experience and be a bit more methodical with the next co2 cylinder, once you know you are not leaking co2 you should be ok............best of luck with the refill.
thanks alot zig. your words are always so comforting 
im gonna exactly chalk it up as experience.this whole thing is a beautiful experience i hope to one day learn.i better after all the money i've spent.im now waiting for my eco-complete to arrive so i can do a rescape.thanks for the tips and WOW i didnt know it should last a year.i must have a serious leak somewhere then.thanks again
im gonna exactly chalk it up as experience.this whole thing is a beautiful experience i hope to one day learn.i better after all the money i've spent.im now waiting for my eco-complete to arrive so i can do a rescape.thanks for the tips and WOW i didnt know it should last a year.i must have a serious leak somewhere then.thanks again
jmuccillo
Fish Fanatic
Sorry if I confused you but by course adjustment I was just referring to the valve on the regulator. Mine has a knob on it which can be used to adjust outlet pressure. Unfortunately my regulator does not have any guages on it so I have to play with it a bit to get the flows right. Yours looks to be a better unit.
It does sound like you've had a leak. A 5 lb bottle should last you ages.
It does sound like you've had a leak. A 5 lb bottle should last you ages.
smithrc
My names Russell.... ....and I'm a
that is a nice bit of kit you've got there
our regulator and needle valve is all one unit, with 2 gagues
one tells you the presure in the bottle and one tells you the output presure on the output (before the needle valve)
internally the unit has a presure reducer that will drop the presure from 60bar (our 600g disposable bottles sit at this when new) to a more managable 10bar (I think) the regulator then has a main on off knob (the course adjuster) this is the 2nd stage in the regulation allowing the output to be regulated at about 1bar.
the needle valve then adjusts the bubble rate you want. (my needle valve is screwed on to the regulator and came fitted with PFTE tape to provide the seal)
anyway, just to show you how tidy that solution is... here is my mess
and a close up of the regulator
our regulator and needle valve is all one unit, with 2 gagues
one tells you the presure in the bottle and one tells you the output presure on the output (before the needle valve)
internally the unit has a presure reducer that will drop the presure from 60bar (our 600g disposable bottles sit at this when new) to a more managable 10bar (I think) the regulator then has a main on off knob (the course adjuster) this is the 2nd stage in the regulation allowing the output to be regulated at about 1bar.
the needle valve then adjusts the bubble rate you want. (my needle valve is screwed on to the regulator and came fitted with PFTE tape to provide the seal)
anyway, just to show you how tidy that solution is... here is my mess
and a close up of the regulator
^^^The only reason i mention about the PTFE tape is because from what i have read on dedicated planted tank forums where co2 is the norm on tanks, is that PTFE tape is not co2 proof the same way that ordinary airline hosing is not co2 proof and will leak over time, how significient these leaks will be and how much co2 loss would be involved i have no idea, they generally recommend the use of jointing compound or pipe dope as its known in the States, but there should really be no need for any PTFE on the main connection to the cylinder as the seal itself should be sufficient.
thanks smirtrc.i'm pretty sure i dont have a course adjustment only a needle valve,since i have no other knob like your looks to have.you have a nice set-up there.what size bottle is that abnd how often do you fill? i cant wai to locate the leak i have and put my co2 issues to bed
Thank you very much zig. I had a major leak where my bubble counter was attached to my regulator. I didnt tighten it nearly enough. All the pressure where it connected was leaking out at shut off time,thus preventing a good start up the next day when it came on. Result was i could never build up enough pressure the next day to get the bubbles flowing through my diffuser. Hope i get better results tommorrow. Every time i came home i had to fiddle with my needle valve to get it going then turn it back down. Now if my eco-complete would just get here. I've got a bad Ebay deal going from two different sellers. I ordered the first bag on 12-11-05 and the second on 12-17-05 and neither has arrived yet. Just thought i'd throw that out there for any one lookin to get some from Ebay. Apparently its kinda hard to get. Even though they show plenty on hand. Whats worse is i ordered a whole new aquascape for my new substrate thats yet to arrive and my plants are going to be ripped out to replant if i even get the product. poor me...just ranting..thanks Again 
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