This comment is another reason why I wanted this info and posted this thread.

I use a 10 lb tank in 2 weeks keeping the DC yellowish/green myself. I can find no leaks anywhere and I use a Mazzei.

I keep thinking I must have a leak or am doing something wrong, but it may be just that this is what my tank needs to keep my c02 ranges where they need to be.

Thanks for posting!

Here is how I recently found a leak in a name brand regulator.

Reverse your regulator for the lower pressure setting until the diaphragm has zero pressure against it. Leave the needle valve alone for this test. With full tank pressure showing on the high pressure gauge(and recorded) shut off the tank main valve. This is initiated at lights off and stays this way until lights on. This test is for the high pressure side of the regulator. If there is any decrease in pressure by morning there is a leak. If pressure holds then your fine. Re pressurize and go after it with soapy water. My leak was found between the tank stem and the regulator(factory assembled). I had to get a special sealant rated at 1200psi to fix.
For the longest time I thought it was the washer between the tank and stem. The loss was huge and I figured that I lost half the capacity of the tank through this leak.

Chris,

Great idea! I will give this a shot tonight........

I kept assuming the same, the washer at the reg stem...........Checked with my regulator supplier and my c02 supplier to ensure I was using the correct washer and apparently I am.......

Since I only use 12" of airline tubing and a check valve and no bubble counter from the regulator to the Mazzei, I checked this tubing and valve under water, and no issues there.

I am now not sure whether to hope this could be my issue, as then I will know, or to hope no issue, and be sentenced to bi-monthly trips to the c02 store lol

Thanks again.

Back when I used my 10lb on my 90gal, with CPR 150 overflow & open 3ft sump (no sealing) my tank lasted for 2½ months with my Mazzei 384. 2~3 weeks is suspect and either Co2 diffusion is not efficient as you think or their is a leak.

I now use a 50lb Alu tank and currently going on 7 months for the same cost to refil the 10lb alu tank. You might want to consider going that route as well

hey mrkookm.


I agree completely with this. I am now trying a larger pump on my Mazzei (584) to see if this helps....Am using a mag 500gph and going to a mag 9.5. I have a throttle valve, so cannot overload it....Will also try different placement of the Mazzei away from the pump......

I would LOVE a 20 or 50 lb tank, but my apt is pretty small and I can keep the 10 under the cabinet......

If I went to a 50 lb, does it get delivered lol. Not sure I could even get one that size in my car......

My biggest issue with this tank is c02 supply and diffusion. One day (and soon) I will get it resolved........

Thanks for the info.

The mist comes out of the canister's output. Where no CO2 is being injected. I can only assume that given the daily time frame when the mist occurs, that the O2 from the plants is being compressed as it passes through the canister/pumps/plumbing that it forms larger bubbles that appear as mist.


2 weeks ? I use a 20lb bottle and it lasts me just over 6 months. I just refilled Thursday. I started with that bottle January 7th. I would question whether you have a leak or you are injecting alot of CO2 that is being outgassed.

Another interesting topic would be how much of a surface ripple does each person use. I feel that people may just be over agitating their surface.

Your comment only reinforces my belief that something is wrong with my setup.......You are not the first one to question this lol I have a large sump and twin overflows, so de-gassing is an issue. Sump is sealed as much as possible, and the overflow waterfall depth is 2.5". Very gentle fall, no real turbulence in there. I will try to get it to 1" or less.

EDIT: I just reduced the overflow fall to about .25" in each one. This should help a bit.


Not much of one for me. Only my HOT magnum disrupts the surface and that is a very gentle ripple. All of my loc-line is way under the water level, as well as all of my Koralias...

I wish I could fit a bottle larger than 10 lbs under my stand - oh well. There is a closet on the other side of the wall the tank is against, I might look into mounting a larger bottle (like 50 lbs) in there and running the line through the wall.
My initial 10lb bottle lasted a couple months. I'm now certain my CO2 concentrations were well below what I needed but I had difficulties getting my imitation ADA DC's at the time (took 6 weeks and 3 shipments to get me some unbroken with shipping time from Hong Kong).

I plan to seal my sump at some point down the road when I am fairly sure I won't make anymore hardware changes in there. I cut sheets of acrylic when I first set up the tank but have since changed pumps and most of the plumbing since then. I dont think I offgas too much CO2 from the overflows, the water only falls ~1/2" and the water enters the sump under the water surface (I have no wet/dry section).


I have minimal surface ripple/agitation. My sump returns are pointed downward to help with flow over HC and Glosso in the foreground.

I'm considering changing to Mazzei at some point as I feel I already need to upgrade my pump for incresed flow. Just tring to make the best of my reactor for now since it is already paid for It seems to work well after performing the venturi mod and adding the needle wheel impeller. It pulls pH down a full point in ~30-45 min and gives a very fine mist that's not detectable unless your face is to the glass. I like the mist for the added benefit of being able to see flow patterns in the tank from it.

Hi Chris,


I tried the above steps last night and checked it just now after 10 hours with one hour to go before it is due to go on.

High pressure has remainded steady at the same reading as last night. Tank is full and was filled just the other day.

So based on this, it appears that the high side is okay.

bibbels,


Yes, when I used an AM1000 reactor with venturi mod, my 10 lb also lasted several months. However, I could tell by the DC colors, PH, and other observations that I was not providing sufficient c02, compared to what I get out of the Mazzei currently.........

Waiting for my new bigger Mazzei pump and will see how that goes.............

I still find it suspicious that we go through so much c02 in such as short time........

But since I have no leaks (apparently that I can find), it has to be the way my Mazzei is setup/plumbed????

I will keep plugging away.

Thanks for all of the tips and info.

I am going to go from my 60 gallon to 120 or more. I am wondering if people are finding cannisters or sumps work better?