Refilling CO2 tank

[Jeff1192]

So the guage on my tank is showing empty but the CO2 is still flowing so I must be almost out. I had a couple little leaks at first so I figure that's why it's almost empty. So I want to go get it refilled this week but I'm wondering how to disconnect it without getting a backflow of water once it's disconnected from the regulator. A while back I shut off the CO2 to change the water in my bubble counter to oil and I had to clamp the hose from the bubble counter to my CO2 reactor because the water started back-flowing.....is there a trick that I'm missing or is that just what I have to do. Another question that might seem stupid but I'll ask anyways, when I shut the valve to the tank so I can  disconnect the regulator can I leave my needle valve adjusted to the setting that it was at or should I open wide so I don't damage the needle valve. Just wondering because when I first started the CO2 I remember adjusting the needle valve quite a bit for the first couple of days to get the right amount of CO2.

Thanks.

Jeff

[charlie]

So the guage on my tank is showing empty but the CO2 is still flowing so I must be almost out. I had a couple little leaks at first so I figure that's why it's almost empty. So I want to go get it refilled this week but I'm wondering how to disconnect it without getting a backflow of water once it's disconnected from the regulator. A while back I shut off the CO2 to change the water in my bubble counter to oil and I had to clamp the hose from the bubble counter to my CO2 reactor because the water started back-flowing.....is there a trick that I'm missing or is that just what I have to do. Another question that might seem stupid but I'll ask anyways, when I shut the valve to the tank so I can  disconnect the regulator can I leave my needle valve adjusted to the setting that it was at or should I open wide so I don't damage the needle valve. Just wondering because when I first started the CO2 I remember adjusting the needle valve quite a bit for the first couple of days to get the right amount of CO2.

Thanks.

Jeff

You should have a check valve between the bubble counter & your diffuser/reactor , preferably closer to the reactor/diffuser, that will take care of the backflow.

When taking your bottle off, just unplug your solenoid , close the main valve on the bottle & undo the regulator from the bottle, i don`t trouble the needle valve, i just do the reverse after refilling, my theory is the flow coming out of the regulator is already regulated down to a workable pressure it should not be any danger to the needle valve.
Hope that helps

[Jeff1192]

Ahhhh....a check valve  ....that's what I'm missing....where's a good place to get one....is it something normally stocked at BA?

Jeff

[charlie]

Ahhhh....a check valve  ....that's what I'm missing....where's a good place to get one....is it something normally stocked at BA?

Jeff

It needs to be a good quality , co 2 resistant one, not sure if any is available locally, but you should have received a good brass one with your regulator.

[dan2x38]

I have check valves but they are junk. I had one come apart where it was glued or pressed together. Jeff if you are going to order any CO2 check valves I've been looking at ordering too. Charlie where is a good place I am on my 3rd valve the last one was allowing flow back into my bubble counter. The cheapos over the counter fail quickly.

[charlie]

If you want the best , these are well worth it
http://www.bestaquariumregulator.com/CO2.html#check
They can be sourced from Clippard here in Canada , but will probably end up costing more.
These are probably the next best & cheaper
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsCA/ctl3684/cp18285/si1380882/cl0/redseacheckvalve
http://www.bigalsonline.ca/StoreCatalog/ctl3664/cp17340/si1317858/cl1/red_sea_check_valve?&query=check+valve&queryType=0&offset=0
the local Big Al`s use to carry them, but i think they no longer do, Dan you can probably check the MTL. store.
Hope that helps

[Jeff1192]

I have check valves but they are junk. I had one come apart where it was glued or pressed together. Jeff if you are going to order any CO2 check valves I've been looking at ordering too. Charlie where is a good place I am on my 3rd valve the last one was allowing flow back into my bubble counter. The cheapos over the counter fail quickly.

I was going back over my correspondence with Sumo when I purchased my regulator and it should have included the check valve. I sent them a message tonight so I'm sure they'll be sending me one so I probably won't be ordering one. I'll let you know if I do Dan.

Jeff

[dan2x38]

Thanks Charlie I will check in Mtrl. I need 2 since I have the manifold. If they don't have them there usually BA will order it from the catalog just need to pay up front. Jeff let me know how it works out with your vendor I will wait a day or 2 before I order... also going to Mtrl next week LMK if you need one.

[Jeff1192]

They have already responded that they're sending me one. Great customer service!

Thanks for the offer of checking Montreal Dan.

Jeff

[dan2x38]

Jeff you cursed me... LOL I ran out today had to do a refill... actually thanks I was looking at my check valves to see if they were OK and noticed bubbles were about 1 every 2 secs....

[Jeff1192]

D'oh.....sorry about that! 

[dan2x38]

I need to watch my gauges more often so I have a heads up before it runs out. Be nice if there was some kind of warning light or something... when it is all working you pretty much just forget about it.

I did just what Charlie said shut off the bottle unplug solenoid then reverse to start it worked perfectly... thx

[Jeff1192]

Ditto here....no problems getting it started again.