Re: [APD] new CO2 system-needle valves

["Tomoko Schum" <tomokoschum at knology_net>]

> One day, i came downstairs  and found almost alll my fish 
> DEAD and the gas going full bore.<

Could this be the problem of not setting regulator correctly after refilling
a CO2 cylinder?
  
After a refill, my bubble rate got rather erratic.  I set it to the rate I
wanted to use in the morning, then I found the bubbling stopped in a few
hours.  I made an adjustment and it was bubbling like crazy in a few hours.


I took my CO2 equipment (regulator, needle valve, solenoid and all) to the
weld shop where I get my cylinder refilled to have my setup checked.  They
checked my equipment and showed me that it operated correctly.  When I told
them about the erratic nature of the CO2 flow rate, they asked me whether I
closed the regulator and opened up my needle valve all the way before I
opened the main valve on my cylinder.  I admitted that I did not know about
that procedure.  I don't know exactly why this problem occurs, but as long
as I follow the procedure, I don't have a problem.  When I forget, it
happens again.  

I don't have an explanation as to how the regulator works, but the
backpressure on the regulator seems to make the regulator valve (internal
spring and plunger) to not seat right and act up.   If anyone knows, please
explain it for me.

-----Original Message-----
From: aquatic-plants-bounces at actwin_com
[mailto:aquatic-plants-bounces at actwin_com] On Behalf Of Philippe Lemaire
Sent: Saturday, December 31, 2011 4:58 AM
To: aquatic plants digest
Subject: Re: [APD] new CO2 system-needle valves

RMGTBTS at aol_com wrote:
> IMHO and this is based on actual events, a needle valve that came with 
> the Milwaukee system (regulator solenoid needle valve package) worked 
> fine for over  3 years. Then, after a tank refill, was set as usual, 
> normal 2 bubble per  second, and fuctioned for 3 months with no 
> problem. One day, i came downstairs  and found almost alll my fish 
> DEAD and the gas going full bore. The tank  was fine in the morning 
> when the timer activated the lights and the
> gas.   Three hours later dead fish. I was able to save 3 discus,
> moved to a another  tank and held in front of the filter out flow and 
> two rummy nose (our ot 25)  made it on their own: all corys and 
> bristle nose died.
> 
> When i was providing plants to Wilma Duncan for her charity, i was 
> running 360 gallons of CO2 injected heavily planted tanks.  That's 4
> CO2 systems
> for 6 years.
> 
> 
> I had this happen once before (not on a discus tank) but  attributed 
> it to operator (ME) malfuction.
> 
> 
> Not this time.
> 
> sorry, Bill, but the needle valve failed.
> 
> rich green
> milton ma


Is the risk as high when the needle valve gets pressurised continuously ?


Philippe just wondering

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