Help With Non-Return Valve

[Verminator89]

So i'm currently trying to set-up my Fire Exstinguisher CO2 supply and everything is going ok except the non-return valve. I'm confused which way it is supposed to go on. It has a sticker on it saying "IN-->OUT". I'm confused which way i aught to put it on as it appears to 'drip' slowly whichever way it is put on!?

Basically which end should be which. Which side needs to be the diffuser end, and vice versa. Just to clarrify for me, as the dripping is kind of annoying.

 

[ian]

blow down the NRV, you should be able to blow one way but not the other. There's your in/out. If it's dripping, it's knackered, don't use it with a solenoid or it might damage it!

Which one is it? Is it glass or plastic?

 

[Verminator89]

Its one that came with my reg/solenoid from Hong Kong. The solenoid comes with a converter to UK socket, however i haven't attatched a timer to it yet, so its just on 24/7. themelous (spelling) has always told me over on UKAPS that havnt CO2 on a timer isn required, so i thought i'd try it his way for the time being. So i believe the NRV aught to be ok, atleast not causing damage.

Yes, i can blow down one way, and not the other. So it works as far as i can see. They gave me three with the box, so i just swapped it for another. Which did initially drip a tad, but after blocking it with my finger then removing it hasnt dripped since. Currently i have the CO2 running at 17 bubbles every 20 seconds. I timed it 3 times and averaged it to make sure. So i suppose its a fraction less than 1 bps.

I'm amazed at how sensitive the valve is at regulating the flow of the CO2, its so sensitive!. Less than 1ml movement and it goes from 0 bps to 50bps! Going to take some serious tweeking, and a steady hand!

The NRV itself is plastic i believe. Cheap Hong Kong crap. Its free so it'll do. I have my AquaEssentials kit for diffuser and bubble counter ect Just a tacky NRV.

Are they really required? If i can get away with not using one i shall.

 

[ian]

I use one, only because Solenoids aren't cheap. They aren't a must if the C02 is running 24/7. As you'll know already, in the long term a Solenoid works out cheaper for all the C02 thats wasted. If you can blow down one way, but not the other it should be OK.

 

[Verminator89]

Got my solenoid from Hong Kong off eBay for i think £47 inc P&P, came with free bubble counter + 3 NRVs. Wasnt to expensive to me, in comparison with prices within Europe that is.

I'm not to fussed about wasted CO2 as such. The way i see it my FE 'should' still last me around about a year, if this is the case i can justify spending a tenner to get it filled somewhere annually.

 

[pauld]

Got my solenoid from Hong Kong off eBay for i think £47 inc P&P, came with free bubble counter + 3 NRVs. Wasnt to expensive to me, in comparison with prices within Europe that is.

I'm not to fussed about wasted CO2 as such. The way i see it my FE 'should' still last me around about a year, if this is the case i can justify spending a tenner to get it filled somewhere annually.

what size tank have you ? a 2.5kg last me 11wks with co2 on 7hrs a day i wouldnt worry to much about the bubble counter the drop checker is a better way to check co2 and constantly moveing it around tank checking for dead spots is important, as plants grow they interfear with flow , a tank with good flow 6wks later with plant growth can develop dead spots , also increase ferts as plants grow .

 

[Verminator89]

Its a 2kg FE on a 2ft tank (70L). Plant density is low anyway with only a small cluster of plants in the back left of the tank. You can see it in my planted journal in my sig.

I was told it'll last about a year by your usage it seems that estimation could be well off of my mark of about a year. Hmm, well £10 every 2-3 months i can still justify. Once i get an electronic timer on the go i'll have it set to come on 2hrs before lights on, and off 2 hours before lights out just to make it last that bit longer.

 

[pauld]

Its a 2kg FE on a 2ft tank (70L). Plant density is low anyway with only a small cluster of plants in the back left of the tank. You can see it in my planted journal in my sig.

I was told it'll last about a year by your usage it seems that estimation could be well off of my mark of about a year. Hmm, well £10 every 2-3 months i can still justify. Once i get an electronic timer on the go i'll have it set to come on 2hrs before lights on, and off 2 hours before lights out just to make it last that bit longer.

just read your journal EI is the way to go its so cheap do not be scared to over dose macro or trace it dont hurt , source your own EI components you can buy them so much cheaper then useing aquatic suppliers . eg magnesium sulphate , is epson salts local chemist £2.50 p for 1.5 kg

 

[Verminator89]

Thats good to know. Its just having the courage to get the products from someone without an aquatic branding and trusting your not 'poisoning' your tank