Making Progress . . . Co2 Bubbling Into Tank, But -

[carolisles]

Thanks to the great information and advice I've gotten on this forum, I've managed to install my CO2 system today and everything is working perfectly, with one exception. The solenoid on my Milwaukee regulator doesn't seem to be functioning; the CO2 continues to flow into the aquarium even when the solenoid is unplugged from the electricity.

I don't know whether I made a mistake in setting it up or if the solenoid isn't working. I've just sent an e-mail to the manufacturer asking for their advice, but meanwhile if anyone can give me any suggestions, I'd be very grateful!

Thanks --

Carol

 

[nicklfire]

So you have the system plugged in and the solinoid is light up right now correct?.....

Let it run for a couple hours... then unplug it and wait 10 minutes... tell me again if it's still flowing through freely.

 

[Dave Spencer]

Unfortunately, solenoids are generally sealed units and unrepairable. If it is still under warranty you should expect to be sent a new one.

What was you required to do when setting it up?

Dave.

 

[carolisles]

Here's what we did:

We followed each step in the instructions as we set it up, plugged it into the electricity according to the instructions, and got everything running perfectly by about noon on Sunday. We had it plugged into a light timer so that the CO2 would switch on and off at the same time as the aquarium light.

The light was programmed to switch off from 3 pm to 5 pm for a siesta (per advice on this forum about preventing algae), and it was then that we discovered that the CO2 didn't switch off when the power was cut. We did give it plenty of time - checked after an hour or so - and it was still bubbling away without power. In fact, we've not plugged it into the power at all since then and it bubbled from 5 pm until we turned it off manually about 10 pm.

It's a brand new Milwaukee regulator that I got online from tsunamiaquatic.com. I guess my next step is to contact them.

Carol

 

[Dave Spencer]

When you plug the solenoid in, is there an audible click from inside the solenoid?

 

[carolisles]

No, it doesn't click. I take it that's a bad sign?

 

[Dave Spencer]

Yes, so it would appear. The clicking is the armature moving inside the solenoid, allowing a flow through it. It sounds as if yours is stuck in the permanently open position, suggesting that there is something preventing the spring loaded armature from reseating when the solenoid is de energised. Hopefully, you are still under warranty.

Dave.

 

[carolisles]

Yes, it's a brand new regulator, so I'll contact the internet site where I ordered it just a couple of weeks ago, and hopefully they'll replace it.

Thanks very much for the comments; it's good to understand that the problem is really with the product and not with our installation!

 

[BHornsey]

Hi. I've no experience with Milwaukee's but my Aqua Medic has a flow direction. CO2 in port A, out port B. Depending on how it's constructed it may be that pressure can unseat the valve. Or it could be as Dave Spencer says, a stuck device. Have a look if there's an arrow showing flow direction and if you have it right

 

[carolisles]

Brian,

Thanks for the suggestion. There's only one way that the Milwaukee regulator can be hooked up, so we couldn't have done it backwards. Sounds more like it's just stuck in the on position. I've sent a message to the internet vendor, tsunamiaquatic.com, and am hoping that they'll replace it.

Carol