[Stoney Reef]

I finally threw the leaking reactor that we made as a club in the garbage and built a new one. I am using the same CO2 equipment that a bunch of us ordered. However, I am having a very hard time getting the bubble count to stay steady. It was doing this on the old reactor as well. I have the regulator set at 5psi. However, over the span of 15 minutes, the bubbles will slow and stop. I am assuming this is the needle valve. This is the regulator, needle valve, solenoid, bubble counter all in one deal. I guess if I have to, I can build a quick bubble counter and change out the needle valve. Anyone have any other ideas or suggestions?

 

[1coolvw]

Regulator

Does the regulator stay at 5 psi? Most regulators have a hard time at such a low pressure, i would try setting it at 15 or 20 psi and see if it holds there better. With the flow slowly bleeding off I would bet its the regulator.

 

[Graham]

Agreed.
Though I don't have the TCMAS "package", I can't get mine to run steady much under 20psi.

 

[geshields]

What type of regulator is it? Blueline? Milwaukee? Most regulators made for our use are best ran at 10-15 psi.

Also, where do you control your effluent from, inlet or outlet?

Greg

 

[Stoney Reef]

reactor is fed by a maxijet 400, it s controlled where it leaves the reactor. I will crank up the pressure and see if I can get it to steady!

 

[David Grigor]

Lowest I have gone is 8psi. I have noticed that after initially setting the psi guage, sometimes it is slow to react and the settting is actually lower. After waiting 30 minutes or longer need to readjust it. Usually after the second adjustment the psi stays and should produce consistant results thereafter....

Next is the bubble count. After setting your initially bubble count it is not uncommon for it to slow down some. This is because initially there was little pressure in the reactor. Once the pressure builds up say after a day or so usually required readjusting the bubble count. Once you have it set initially though usually don't have to touch it anymore.

 

[Stoney Reef]

the max the gauge goes is 10psi

 

[geshields]

post a pic of the regulator...

Greg

 

[Stoney Reef]

Here it is, blurry as heck, but after that the camera shut down, time to recharge the batteries!



Guage on the right goes to 10psi. notice the built in solenoid and needle valve, bubble counter.

 

[geshields]

Holy $#%#$ Patrick, the psi gauge is the other set of numbers (can't recall if they are the inside or the outside numbers on the blueline/milwaukee regulators)...the needle should be around the 9 o'clock or 10 o'clock position.

You have been reading KG/CM^2....which correlates to about 140 PSI!!!!!

Greg

 

[Stoney Reef]

well upon closer inspection, your right, but i still cannot get a stable bubble rate! I guess, I need a new regulator!

 

[geshields]

Give it about 30-60 minutes to stabilize...

 

[MyReef]

Hey Patrick....if that is a blueline and the instructions said run it at 10 on the outside numbers, it is WRONG....they have since changed their instructions and say 10 on the inside numbers. I had mine about 8 on the outside and got erratic bubbles....I readjusted to 15 in the inside and have a steady bubble rate now.....HTH...Good luck!

 

[Stoney Reef]

I am slowly lowering it down to the 20psi range. I have no clue what kind it is, It was $84 for the whole set up, so I guess I got what i paid for once again!

 

[otolith]

Stoney, It's a Milwaukee Instruments set of guages and solenoid. Very nice equipment for the price, IMO.

Derek

 

[Stoney Reef]

well I unhooked the CO2 line and bled it down to 20psi.
Now we will see if I can get it stabilized

 

[Stoney Reef]

WHAT A POS! I guess I am going to order a new regulator etc etc, anyone have any recommendations?