Fire Extinguisher - Problems?

[terrycb]

I bought a CO2 system including regulator etc from a German Company at the beginning of the year and have been using fire extinguishers for the CO2. I have now had two breakdowns with the regulator, the first time a couple of months ago the German Co sent me a replacement, the second breakdown has happened over the past couple of days. For some reason whilst there is pressure still in the bottle it is not getting through to the low pressure side of the reg.
Has anyone else experienced this kind of problem, is the CO2 from a fire extinguisher of a lower quality than that supplied by the LFS and therefore causing problems with the regulator? Does anyone have experience of using FE's for a long time for this application, I would appreciate any info that can shed light on this problem -thanks

 

[Lateral Line]

I know why you put this in DIY, but I honestly believe you'll get a better response in Planted, so I'll move it. From a content point of view, CO2 is so easy to produce, I doubt there is any difference between sources.

 

[Rooster]

I bought a CO2 system including regulator etc from a German Company at the beginning of the year and have been using fire extinguishers for the CO2. I have now had two breakdowns with the regulator, the first time a couple of months ago the German Co sent me a replacement, the second breakdown has happened over the past couple of days. For some reason whilst there is pressure still in the bottle it is not getting through to the low pressure side of the reg.
Has anyone else experienced this kind of problem, is the CO2 from a fire extinguisher of a lower quality than that supplied by the LFS and therefore causing problems with the regulator? Does anyone have experience of using FE's for a long time for this application, I would appreciate any info that can shed light on this problem -thanks

I get my co2 for the aquarium from a welding shop... and my welding co2 from an extingisher dealer ! (I use disposables under the tanks, because the cylinders are a LOT smaller, and last a year anyway) But Im sure its all the same stuff...

 

[blue acara]

I bought a CO2 system including regulator etc from a German Company at the beginning of the year and have been using fire extinguishers for the CO2. I have now had two breakdowns with the regulator, the first time a couple of months ago the German Co sent me a replacement, the second breakdown has happened over the past couple of days. For some reason whilst there is pressure still in the bottle it is not getting through to the low pressure side of the reg.
Has anyone else experienced this kind of problem, is the CO2 from a fire extinguisher of a lower quality than that supplied by the LFS and therefore causing problems with the regulator? Does anyone have experience of using FE's for a long time for this application, I would appreciate any info that can shed light on this problem -thanks

What company did you get the co2 systeem from? I got mine from Aquamas and Ive also had problems with the regulator. What happens with mine is different-in the morning the regulator pumps out loads of co2 when first turned on-but as the day goes on the co2 comes out less. Luckily I can still use the regulator.

Its worth posting that I do not reccommend Aquamas- I emailed them 2 weeks ago and got no response. Dont use them members!

I dont think fire extinguisher co2 is the problem here, other members use it and it works fine- have u checked for leaks? check by putting soap suds around the regulator. Tbh it sounds like we were sold poor quality stuff.

 

[terrycb]

What company did you get the co2 systeem from? I got mine from Aquamas and Ive also had problems with the regulator. What happens with mine is different-in the morning the regulator pumps out loads of co2 when first turned on-but as the day goes on the co2 comes out less. Luckily I can still use the regulator.

Its worth posting that I do not reccommend Aquamas- I emailed them 2 weeks ago and got no response. Dont use them members!

I dont think fire extinguisher co2 is the problem here, other members use it and it works fine- have u checked for leaks? check by putting soap suds around the regulator. Tbh it sounds like we were sold poor quality stuff.
[/quote]

I bought mine from LunaPet and i have to say so far that they have been very good at replying, albeit slow. I have just emailed them re this latest problem and wait to see their response. I'm sure there is not a leak, yesterday i took apart the original regulator which was faulty and I THink the seal between the HP and LP sides is faulty.
I'd be interested to hear from people who have used Fire Extinguishers for a long period of time and with what (make of) regulator they have used. THis latest filure is after 2 months.

 

[George Farmer]

Sounds like a regulator issue, rather than extinguisher. I've been using extinguishers for several months now, with no issues. I know of at least two other members that have used them for years.

I use a Dennerle reg. It's flawless - but relatively expensive.