How far to open CO2 tank?

[Gordonious]

How far should you open the main valve on a CO2 tank? The directions on the ReefFantic regulator say:
"œSlowly open the main CO2 cylinder valve (located on top of the cylinder). You do NOT need to open the main valve all the way. A couple of turns should do the job."

However I was told at the welding shop where I get tanks full that if I only open it a little bit that it will likely leak and needs to be opened all the way to pressurize things, so gaskets inside will work properly.

As of currently I'm going with what I used to do when I could afford to scuba dive. Open the tank all the way then go a half turn back. I think this is best because the ReefFantic directions say you do not need to open it, but they don't say it is bad to or that it would cause harm. Hopefully I'm correct in this because I've already had one tank empty in less then two weeks and really don't feel like driving to the welding shop twice a month to refill tanks when everyone else goes every 6 months or less.

 

[GreshamH]

I do it like when SCUBA diving... open all the way and turn back half a turn.

 

[Ra1n]

Anything between 15-30 psi is recommended to get consistent bubble count.

 

[GreshamH]

Anything between 15-30 psi is recommended to get consistent bubble count.

Pre-regulator or post regulator

 

[Gordonious]

Anything between 15-30 psi is recommended to get consistent bubble count.

The final PSI that heads through the solenoid and into the needle valve for adjusting is preset by manufacturer. I'm not tweaking that, I'm just trying to figure out how much to open the CO2 cylinder via the large black valve on top.

 

[das75]

from my mechanics helper, then sending up weather balloon days, I open mine fully.

 

[BlueFaceAngel]

open fully to prevent any dust or dirt from being trapped...always crack open your tank before installing the regulator to keep any debris from entering it.

 

[ibnozn]

First make sure both your regulator and needle valve are open slightly (important). Open the tank a turn or so. Close the regulator. Open the tank all the way then back off 1/2 turn. Open the regulator until the low pressure dial reads around 20psi, then adjust your needle valve. Keep an eye on the low pressure reading along with the bubble rate for the first few days to make sure it doesn't jump around.

 

[PurdueWaterGuy]

All compressed gas cylinders for industrial use have "back seating valves". By opening the valve fully, you engage the back seat, sealing the valve stem instead of the relying on the valve packing around the valve stem to accomplish the seal. Much safer.

Spent 30+ years working with cylinders of HCl, Silane (burns on contact with air), Boron Trifluoride, Arsenic Pentafluoride, ammonia, dischlorosilane, nitrogen, helium, hydrogen, oxygen, argon, etc, etc. in semiconductor research. Still here to talk about it.

I really like the MSDS sheets that say "no one has lived long enough to report what this gas might smell like"


Tim

 

[das75]

I really like the MSDS sheets that say "no one has lived long enough to report what this gas might smell like"


Tim

what gas is that, like to pass the MSDS it to our safety guy for a laugh

 

[PurdueWaterGuy]

what gas is that, like to pass the MSDS it to our safety guy for a laugh

Dang, I'm trying to remember what it was! Too many research projects over the years. If I get a chance I'll dig thru the old records this weekend and see if I can figure out what it was.....

Tim