[APD] Re: Pressurized Co2 setup;time for a refill? Should I shutif off now?

[Damian Barton <daemondamian at ozemail_com.au>]

Damian wrote:

> I have a Co2 setup on my tank with a Tunze regulator
> fitted to a tank of Co2 that is feed by airline through a
> check valve and then into my diy sealed above aquarium
> trickle filter (a modified beer brewing drum) at about 1
> bubble per second.
>
> I have had it going since about February I think with one
> of the valves at .5 and the other at 50.
>
> Just recently I checked it and it has risen up to about 1
> and the other has dropped to just below 40.  
>
> I 'm wondering if it could be due to the heat (here in
> Australia it's summer) or is it more likely that the Co2
> is running out?


"Chuck H" <grendel at usit_net> wrote:

Sounds like your CO2 is running out.  The cylinder-side gauge (the
one that normally reads 50 on your setup) will generally read between
48 and 62 bar depending on ambient temp when there is still liquid in
the cylinder.  Once all the liquid converts to gas, the pressure
reading on the gauge will begin to drop.  That's how to tell if you
need a refill or not.

I don't have any personal experience with the Tunze regulator, but
you might be better off just shutting things down until you can get a
refill rather than risk a dump.  You could always hook up a yeast
reactor until you're able to get the cylinder refilled...it wouldn't
be as good as compressed gas, but it'd still be better than nothing.

In the future, you might also think about buying a 5lb cylinder (or
bigger) and keeping it around as backup.  I've been thinking about
doing that myself.
--
Chuck Huffine
Knoxville, Tennessee
....................................................................................................

Hi Chuck,
thanks for your advice which I decided to follow- better safe than
sorry!

I will hook up a diy yeast reactor in the meantime until
I get a refill but I shouldn't complain about having to refill as
it has actually lasted about 12 months!.

Pressurised Co2 sure is easier than mixing yeast and sugar
and rinsing bottles every two weeks :O).

Regards
Damian.





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