CA Reactor - CO2 consumption

dodofish · 03-26-2003, 02:47 PM

Hello,
I have just setup a CA reactor and have a question about how much CO2 you are using and what bubble rate. I'm using a GEO reactor and seems to be working great. My current settings are 50 BPM and so far my CA and Alk are staying consistent. How long should expect the CO2 tank to last. I have a 10lb tank. My effluent rate is about 30 - 35 ml per minute.

The reason I'm asking is that the guage that measures how much gas is in the tank seems to be decreasing fast. I assumed that a 10 lb tank would last a 4 - 6 months. At this rate I see between 1 and 2 months before I need a refill.

Any experience would be appreciated. I tested for CO2 leaks and couldn't find any.

Thanks,
Kirk

reefhead · 03-27-2003, 09:01 PM

where did you get it filled?

are you sure it is filled all the way?

dodofish · 03-27-2003, 09:09 PM

I'm not sure if they shorted me or not. I have a dual guage regulator and I know one guage is supposed to tell you how much gas is left in the tank. But I don't know what the value should be for a full 10 lb tank. The guage has went from 150 to 110 in a couple of weeks.

Does anyone know the value that a full tank should have?

Thanks for all the help. I'm new to this CO2 and regulator business.

dgasmd · 03-27-2003, 10:43 PM

That seems like a fast drop. Also, a full CO2 tank is full at 800 PSI. As the pressure goes below the empty level, it drops so much quicker. Too much physics to explain.
I have a larger system that is full SPS. My Ca reactor is larger than most and it run about 200 Bubbles/min (guess since I think counting this stuff tells me nothing). I just refilled my 10lb tank for the first time. It too 3 months to go to empty. I also consumed 20+ lb of media in that time.

dougchambers · 03-28-2003, 01:00 AM

Our DIY reactor consumed a 5lb bottle in ~8 months running ~50BPM CO2 and 120 DPM effluent. Our last bottle started at ~1000psi. Check your bubble counter for leaks. Some are notorious for leaking.

Doug

**golfish** · 03-28-2003, 12:33 PM

are you using a teflon gasket between the regulator and the tank?

**scubadude** · 03-28-2003, 12:54 PM

Also you might want to check your needle valve and make sure it doesnt "Burp" sometimes your BPM will decrease if you dont have your adjustment fine set or if you have a cheapo needle valve, and the same goes for your effluent which can calicify the tip of the output very easily and reduce your drip rate.

dodofish · 03-28-2003, 04:14 PM

Thanks for all the replies! I'll check my readings tonight and report them. I'm also going to do another leak test to make sure that is not the problem.

The regulator has 2 measurement scales on the guage that measures how full the tank is 1. psi 2. is a metric measurement kg/cm2 (I think).

So when the tank is full it should read 800 psi or more correct? The reading I was giving before I believe was from the metric scale. I need to check tonight.

The regulator is made by milwaukee - not sure of quality.

I did place the plastic washer provided between the regulator and the tank.

Thanks for all help. I will hopefully find the problem this weekend.

Any more suggestions things to check?

dodofish · 03-31-2003, 03:39 PM

I might be ok. I'm reading a little over 1000 psi. The guage started much higher and dropped rapidily but is still over 1000 psi.

I checked for leaks and everything is ok.

I'm not sure if this is normal or if I have a bad guage.

Thanks for all the help! If you have any other ideas or things for me to check please let me know.

03-26-2003, 02:47 PM	#1
dodofish Just Moved In Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 13	CA Reactor - CO2 consumption Hello, I have just setup a CA reactor and have a question about how much CO2 you are using and what bubble rate. I'm using a GEO reactor and seems to be working great. My current settings are 50 BPM and so far my CA and Alk are staying consistent. How long should expect the CO2 tank to last. I have a 10lb tank. My effluent rate is about 30 - 35 ml per minute. The reason I'm asking is that the guage that measures how much gas is in the tank seems to be decreasing fast. I assumed that a 10 lb tank would last a 4 - 6 months. At this rate I see between 1 and 2 months before I need a refill. Any experience would be appreciated. I tested for CO2 leaks and couldn't find any. Thanks, Kirk

03-27-2003, 09:01 PM	#2
reefhead Governor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: st.petersburg,Fl. Posts: 1,513	where did you get it filled? are you sure it is filled all the way? __________________ Joseph Abrams Enjoy Being, LLC www.NanoReefCentral.com

03-27-2003, 09:09 PM	#3
dodofish Just Moved In Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 13	Filled at Praxair gas I'm not sure if they shorted me or not. I have a dual guage regulator and I know one guage is supposed to tell you how much gas is left in the tank. But I don't know what the value should be for a full 10 lb tank. The guage has went from 150 to 110 in a couple of weeks. Does anyone know the value that a full tank should have? Thanks for all the help. I'm new to this CO2 and regulator business.

03-27-2003, 10:43 PM	#4
dgasmd 2-much-mojo-4-my-shirt Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Owings Mills, MD Posts: 48	That seems like a fast drop. Also, a full CO2 tank is full at 800 PSI. As the pressure goes below the empty level, it drops so much quicker. Too much physics to explain. I have a larger system that is full SPS. My Ca reactor is larger than most and it run about 200 Bubbles/min (guess since I think counting this stuff tells me nothing). I just refilled my 10lb tank for the first time. It too 3 months to go to empty. I also consumed 20+ lb of media in that time. __________________ "Water keeps a ship floating, but it is also what sinks it"

03-28-2003, 01:00 AM	#5
dougchambers Citizen Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Idaho Posts: 119	Our DIY reactor consumed a 5lb bottle in ~8 months running ~50BPM CO2 and 120 DPM effluent. Our last bottle started at ~1000psi. Check your bubble counter for leaks. Some are notorious for leaking. Doug __________________ Chambers' Reef Page

03-28-2003, 12:33 PM	#6
golfish Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Alta Loma,Ca Posts: 2,943	are you using a teflon gasket between the regulator and the tank?

03-28-2003, 12:54 PM	#7
scubadude Moderator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Wichita, Kansas Posts: 5,315	Also you might want to check your needle valve and make sure it doesnt "Burp" sometimes your BPM will decrease if you dont have your adjustment fine set or if you have a cheapo needle valve, and the same goes for your effluent which can calicify the tip of the output very easily and reduce your drip rate.

03-28-2003, 04:14 PM	#8
dodofish Just Moved In Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 13	WOW! Thanks for all the replies! I'll check my readings tonight and report them. I'm also going to do another leak test to make sure that is not the problem. The regulator has 2 measurement scales on the guage that measures how full the tank is 1. psi 2. is a metric measurement kg/cm2 (I think). So when the tank is full it should read 800 psi or more correct? The reading I was giving before I believe was from the metric scale. I need to check tonight. The regulator is made by milwaukee - not sure of quality. I did place the plastic washer provided between the regulator and the tank. Thanks for all help. I will hopefully find the problem this weekend. Any more suggestions things to check?

03-31-2003, 03:39 PM	#9
dodofish Just Moved In Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 13	Current guage readings I might be ok. I'm reading a little over 1000 psi. The guage started much higher and dropped rapidily but is still over 1000 psi. I checked for leaks and everything is ok. I'm not sure if this is normal or if I have a bad guage. Thanks for all the help! If you have any other ideas or things for me to check please let me know.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode