Strange Regulator Readings/behavior

Hello, all.

I’m getting some strange behavior/readings from my regulator. Important details:

Regulator: GLA Gro-1

Diffuser: NilocG Inline Atomizer

Tubing: Aquatek CO2 Tubing

Check Valve: Brass Aquatek check valve in addition to the glass bubble counter/check valve that came attached to the regulator.

Tank Size: 75 gallon

10lb CO2 canister

I am using a brass permaseal, also purchased from GLA, on the CO2 canister/regulator connection point.

I have had this specific setup for almost two months.

Problem: The tank pressure recently dropped from 800 psI to 600 psi. I first discovered this drop two days ago. Since this discovery, I have watched the tank pressure drop further from 600psI to 510psi.

I have performed multiple leak checks with soapy water on the major regulator connection points. I have found no discernible leaks.

I have my working pressure set to 50psi. I understand this to be quite high, even for an inline atomizer. At lower working psi, my bubbles per second “top out,” so to speak. Meaning no matter how much I open up the needle valve, the bubbles per second will not increase.

With a tank of this size (75 gallons), obviously I need a high rate of CO2 injection to maintain CO2 levels.

Even with a high rate of injection (5+ bubbles per second, so fast they’re difficult to count), I can’t imagine I’ve burned through 10lbs of CO2 in only two months. Or have I? Is this unusual with such high working pressure and high injection rate?

Or do I have a busted regulator I need to return?

I’m not quite sure what to do here. Any and all thoughts are welcome.

 

Did you contact Greenleaf aquariums to ask? They may be able to trouble shoot you. Interested in this since thinking on getting their regulator too.

Also, if you want to have a lower bubble per second rate, their atomizer (not the inline) is great. I got their 70mm atomizer for my 66 gallon and that thing pumps out micro bubbles like crazy. Before, with a regular round diffuser I had my bubble rate at around 3-4 bubbles per second, once I got the atomizer at that same rate my drop checker was almost yellow. Now I have my bubbles per second at a crazy low 1 bubble every 4-5 seconds, and keeps the drop checker at green. Their atomizer requires a minimum 30 psI line pressure so it may benefit you. I guess the point I'm getting at is their atomizer may allow you to save on gas since it requieres such a low bubble rate (granted your regulator isn't busted, also each tank is different but in my case those bubbles are so tinny with the atomizer that they stay around in my tank for a long while before going to the surface so lots of contact time). Hope that helps.

 

Did you contact Greenleaf aquariums to ask? They may be able to trouble shoot you. Interested in this since thinking on getting their regulator too.

Also, if you want to have a lower bubble per second rate, their atomizer (not the inline) is great. I got their 70mm atomizer for my 66 gallon and that thing pumps out micro bubbles like crazy. Before, with a regular round diffuser I had my bubble rate at around 3-4 bubbles per second, once I got the atomizer at that same rate my drop checker was almost yellow. Now I have my bubbles per second at a crazy low 1 bubble every 4-5 seconds, and keeps the drop checker at green. Their atomizer requires a minimum 30 psI line pressure so it may benefit you. I guess the point I'm getting at is their atomizer may allow you to save on gas since it requieres such a low bubble rate (granted your regulator isn't busted, also each tank is different but in my case those bubbles are so tinny with the atomizer that they stay around in my tank for a long while before going to the surface so lots of contact time). Hope that helps.

Have not contacted Green Leaf yet.

I’ve seen posts like yours and I just can’t fathom anything lower than 5 bubbles per second in a densely planted 75 gallon. I must be doing something very wrong here.

Maybe the issue is my inline atomizer? And it is indeed an atomizer, not a regular diffuser. Produces tiny, tiny micro bubbles. Only difference is that it’s plumbed directly into the outflow line of my filter rather than situated somewhere inside the tank.

 

Have not contacted Green Leaf yet.

I’ve seen posts like yours and I just can’t fathom anything lower than 5 bubbles per second in a densely planted 75 gallon. I must be doing something very wrong here.

Maybe the issue is my inline atomizer? And it is indeed an atomizer, not a regular diffuser. Produces tiny, tiny micro bubbles. Only difference is that it’s plumbed directly into the outflow line of my filter rather than situated somewhere inside the tank.

I know what you mean by inline. It's on the outflow of your filter. I wish I could get that but **** Fluval and their ribbed hoses haha. I have greanleafs regular in tank diffuser (which still they call atomizer, and it in fact does produces crazy amounts of super tinny bubbles, you can check my thread where I was surprised I had to lower my bubble per second rate compared to a "regular" round/ufo diffuser).

Regarding your loss of pressure, that indeed seems very fast, something isn't adding up. Even 5 bubbles per second shouldn't bring it down that fast. Are 5 bubbles per second ok for your tank? What color is your drop checker? Try contacting them, they have good support. Whenever I email them they respond quick. I hope they help you. Please post an update, I'm interested in their regulator, specially because it's supposed to prevent end of tank dumps. Good luck!

 

With a drop that fast, I suspect the leak is in the high pressure part (between the canister and the regulator).
If you have a permaseal, you don't need the nylon washer...I know they send you one...
Try to get in touch with GLA...just as you visit their site, a pop-up message appear "need help?" Click on it and ask your question. They are very good at answering your questions

 

With a drop that fast, I suspect the leak is in the high pressure part (between the canister and the regulator).
If you have a permaseal, you don't need the nylon washer...I know they send you one...
Try to get in touch with GLA...just as you visit their site, a pop-up message appear "need help?" Click on it and ask your question. They are very good at answering your questions

That’s what worries me. I cannot detect any exterior leak.

Do you think it’s possible my canister was originally not filled to full capacity?

 

I know what you mean by inline. It's on the outflow of your filter. I wish I could get that but Fluval and their ribbed hoses haha. I have greanleafs regular in tank diffuser (which still they call atomizer, and it in fact does produces crazy amounts of super tinny bubbles, you can check my thread where I was surprised I had to lower my bubble per second rate compared to a "regular" round/ufo diffuser).

Regarding your loss of pressure, that indeed seems very fast, something isn't adding up. Even 5 bubbles per second shouldn't bring it down that fast. Are 5 bubbles per second ok for your tank? What color is your drop checker? Try contacting them, they have good support. Whenever I email them they respond quick. I hope they help you. Please post an update, I'm interested in their regulator, specially because it's supposed to prevent end of tank dumps. Good luck!

Drop checker is a nice lime green, though personally, I find them somewhat unreliable. I prefer using the relative pH drop method, along with the livestock stress method, to measure CO2 levels. I eventually got to a very fast stream of bubbles per second. Certainly higher than 5 BPS.

I will definitely reach out to GLA today.

 

Okay, I spoke to GLA today. Couple things:

GLA rep confirmed that 50psI working pressure is too high. No atomizer should need that much working pressure. So my atomizer is either clogged (unlikely considering it’s not that old), or it’s a defective unit. I’m leaning toward the later.

I am purchasing a new online atomizer directly from GLA.

GLA rep also confirmed that a second brass check valve is unnecessary, and may be contributing to the problem. I will be removing this secondary check valve. The Gro-1 comes with a built in bubble counter/check valve.

Ultimately, it looks as if I naturally burned through my CO2 supply due to a defective inline atomizer.