CO2 regulator issue

[3mm3]

I was wondering if anyone had information on how i may fix the problem.

Over a week ago i started having an issue with my regulator not maintaining set buble count. Prior to this i have had it running for over a year with no problems. Tank pressure is just over 900psi. I removed needle valve to clean and removed solenoid and inspected. Removed co2 setup from reactor thinking maybe bad check valve. still same issue. also i noticed that the pressure i set on regulator seems to drop off then surge back to what i had set. Tried it at 15, 20 and 30 psi. Basically if set at 30 psi the pressure would slowly drop as the bubles let loose and drop to almost 10psi then suddenly surge to 30.
Well i hope that made sense and hope somebody has a fix for me

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Bump

 

[Stoneyj33]

Which way is it losing its set point, Bubble count increasing or decreasing?

 

[3mm3]

ill set the rate at 1 bubble per 2 seconds and over several hours it will stop. thats with regulator set at 15 psi. If i increase the pressure to 30psi and set the rate at 1 bubble per second you can literally see a reduction in bubbles over time and the pressure drop off to nearly 10psi then suddenly surge back to 30 psi and bubble rate increases dramatically and starts the cycle all over again. thing to note is no matter what psi i have set after a day the bubble count literally stops. happens faster with lower psi though. Im beginning to think the regulator itself is done.

 

[Mike&Terry]

Sounds like a failed regulator.
I tried to disassemble one once to clean it, but couldn't get it working, had to fork over the dough for a new one.

 

[mcarroll]

Sounds like a failed regulator.
I tried to disassemble one once to clean it, but couldn't get it working, had to fork over the dough for a new one.

+1

90% of the regulators sold in the hobby are complete garbage. I recommend purchasing a reg. from a welding or beverage supply shop that also fills tanks. Should not be exorbitantly expensive (mine was only $75) and should last a lifetime.

Now having said that, if you let saltwater back-siphon into the regulator and tank, all bets are off. Saltwater eats everyting. I would go to great pains (check valves suck) to make sure this doesn't happen.

Another option is the "digital" bubble counters people started using on their freshwater planted tanks a while back. (Name escaping me.) I know a few who've switched their Ca reactors over to these counters with good success. Think these are the pricier option, however.

-Matt

 

[mattGgator]

Sounds like a failed regulator.
I tried to disassemble one once to clean it, but couldn't get it working, had to fork over the dough for a new one.

With some experience with regulators from paintball, I'm pretty confident its an o-ring (or 2) in the regulator. 99% of the time when a regulator fails, its an o-ring.

If your feeling adventurous you can take it apart and check the o-rings for damage and replace as necessary.