Coral Vue regulator doesn't fit bottle...

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I'm trying to set up this used korallin reactor with a coral vue regulator (bought NIB, not w/ system), and per the directions I am trying to use the nylon washer between the bottle and the regulator..... but the regulator doesnt want to screw on with the washer inplace (sloppy, barely connected and if I even slightly bump it the regulator will come unattached from the bottle.... it acts like the threads are to large for the bottle connection even w/ the washer inplace).... but if i pull the washer it will connect firm and snug (although obviously w/o the washer it will leak).... am I doing something wrong???
 
Deltec
Is the bottle a standard CO2 bottle like found at a welding supply, fire protection or beverage supply store?
 
Yes, ive tried 2 different bottles now.... 5 and 10lb i think...... the threads are definitely different as the 10lb had a hose connection on it and the washer from my regulator wouldnt fit inside that nut connector.
 
Deltec
Make sure your co2 tanks are actually co2 tanks. Meaning, they are CGA 320 connection. Your coralvue regulator is a female CGA 320.


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Both are labeled Carbon Dioxide which = c02 so yeah I would assume they are both actual co2 tanks. Also, both bottles valves clearly state..... CGA 320...... however both are smaller in diameter (by like 1/16th" probably) then the nut on the regulator!


I just took the old hose connection appart from the larger tank to test things out and be able to see whats going on when that one goes on... tight and firm with and without the nylon gasket. This is like a steel nut, not a brass nut connector like on the coral vue regulator. So heres my new question....

Can I take my regulator apart and put this steel nut on the end (aesthetically the appearance will be shot to hell but if you saw my fish room you would understand it doesn't matter lol) so I can actually hook this thing up, and if so do I need to do anything special (plumbers dope/ teflon tape....) to seal the connection where the brass nipple connects the nut to the regulator (which doesn't appear to be specially sealed like many of the joints that are teflon taped... like the solenoid)? Or do I need to go get a reducer coupling or something to make this work???
 
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This looks exactly like my regulator.... Octopus CO2 Regulator Don't know if that will make a difference but yeah figured it may help, maybe someone else has had this issue or something :(
 
Top Shelf Aquatics
I'd get a new washer or spacer from a welding supply shop & see if that does it. You can't use tape or paste at the reg nut to co2 tank, it's a compression seal. Or just replace the nipple and nut on the regulator, sounds like this coralvue nipple & nut is a proprietary thing that coralvue designed.


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Thanks for the help, after messing with it ALOT more lastnight Ive came to the conclusion I need a new nipple/nut for the regulator. The washers I have are fine, even without them the stock regulator nut doesn't actually fit on the CGA 320 fitting for the bottle its always a little loose!

Also tho, I was asking if I need to use a tape/paste where the new nipple goes into the regulator sorry if my ramble was confusing....
 
I'm wondering if they didn't ship it with a metric nut instead of a national standard thread? Not sure if there is such a thing but I'll bet there is. I would contact Coralvue and ask them, I think its John or David but don't remember for sure its been so long. Great guy though when I needed help.
If its that sloppy I certainly would risk using tape or LocTite on pressurized gas which can cause breathing problems inside a closed space.
 
AZDesertRat said:
I'm wondering if they didn't ship it with a metric nut instead of a national standard thread? Not sure if there is such a thing but I'll bet there is. I would contact Coralvue and ask them, I think its John or David but don't remember for sure its been so long. Great guy though when I needed help.
If its that sloppy I certainly would risk using tape or LocTite on pressurized gas which can cause breathing problems inside a closed space.
Click to expand...

We're talking about nipple to regulator connection, not about nut to co2 tank connection. Using red Loctite from nipple to regulator is the safest way to go.


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No its not, as it is still a pressurized gas and tolerances must be met. you might trust something jury rigged like that but I certainly wouldn't and I would never suggest someone try it.

If its worth doing, its worth doing right the first time!
 
Deltec
harlequinreefer said:
We're talking about nipple to regulator connection, not about nut to co2 tank connection. Using red Loctite from nipple to regulator is the safest way to go.


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Click to expand...
I would not use red loctite to attach the nipple/nut to the regulator body. Teflon tape will work perfectly, why use loctite which may cause you to no be able to take the nipple/nut off if you needed to in the future?
 
AZDesertRat said:
I'm wondering if they didn't ship it with a metric nut instead of a national standard thread? Not sure if there is such a thing but I'll bet there is. I would contact Coralvue and ask them, I think its John or David but don't remember for sure its been so long. Great guy though when I needed help.
If its that sloppy I certainly would risk using tape or LocTite on pressurized gas which can cause breathing problems inside a closed space.
Click to expand...

That is exactly what they did basically. I did some searching around and AZOO had a big problem with this back in 2003. Basically there is a US std. version and an asian/european metric version..... lucky me I somehow got the asian version (assuming since the writing on the meters is certainly not english lol).

Harlequin- Thanks, I understood what you were saying.... when I get the new nipple/ nut combo when I install it use the red loctite to help seal the connection from the nipple to the regulator. Should I use anything to help seal the connection from the regulator nut to the bottle (with the new tighter proper fitting nut)?
 
ianiwane said:
I would not use red loctite to attach the nipple/nut to the regulator body. Teflon tape will work perfectly, why use loctite which may cause you to no be able to take the nipple/nut off if you needed to in the future?
Click to expand...

Being that the new nipple/nut connector will be a us std. nut instead of the metric one thats on there now I don't think there would be any reason to ever need to remove the nipple from the regulator body.... I could be wrong but I can't see a reason I would need to change it back really.
 
It's too much pressure for tape. Not to mention, tape will get into the regulator body and gunk it up. Tape is fine after the regulator because pressure won't be as intense. The connection from the tank to the regulator needs to be properly sealed and it's needs to be able to handle 1000psi or higher. Red Loctite on the nipple to the regulator will semipermanently seal the connection and make it safe.


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I read somewhere last night too that there is a CO2 safe teflon tape that is yellow.... if I need to use tape (like at the bottle to new nut connection maybe?) should I try to find this or will the white plumbers teflon tape work just fine, the connections that have tape on them now are white (where they installed the solenoid)?
 
Don't use any tape or sealer on the nut to co2 tank connection when you get the new one. If you get the nipple & nut from jandr, it will come with a paper spacer. That's all that is required.


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Chewy.com
The nylon or paper washer is all that is needed on the bottle connection.
There are pipe dopes or pastes that are specifically designed for gas applications that I would use on the threaded nipple. Lowes and HD both have them in the plumbing section. I owuld never use LocTite unless its something you know for sure you never want to remove which may not be the case here. What if the soft brass in the nut cross threads or wears out in the future...... LocTite is great stuff for many applications though.
 
harlequinreefer said:
Don't use any tape or sealer on the nut to co2 tank connection when you get the new one. If you get the nipple & nut from jandr, it will come with a paper spacer. That's all that is required.


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Click to expand...

OK cool thank you for all your help. I sent coralvue a message to see if they will do anything to correct it first. If not then I will check out jandr or the local welding shops around here. I'm not in a major hurry to hook it up, Ive had everything since august LOL
 
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