CO2 Regulators & Cylinders for Aquariums

8 Tips to Remember Before Using CO2 Regulators & Cylinders for Aquariums

CO2 cylinders and regulators are primary components of kegerators, aquariums and are commonly used in many applications. However, when working with CO2 cylinders and regulators, here are some tips you must know to be safe during the operation.

1. When it is time to refill, do not simply remove the CO2 regulator. Relieve all the working pressure from the low pressure gauge to prevent further damage to the gauge during re-installation of the regulator.
2. After re-filling your CO2 cylinder, vent it for 1 or 2 seconds before installing any components to the cylinder. This helps remove any debris that may have wedged in the cylinder valve. Preventing debris from entering also prolongs the life of your CO2 equipment.
3. Make sure the cylinder reaches room temperature before re-installing the Co2 regulator. This ensures equalization of the pressure in the cylinder and enables it to take accurate pressure readings.
4. Put your seal between the regulator and the cylinder valve. Remember to hand-tighten the seal if you are using a permaseal as a wrench is usually not required.
5. When all is done and you are installing the regulator, ensure a tight connection using a crescent wrench or CO2 wrench so that there is no loss of CO2.
6. Remember not to over-tighten the bubble counter on your CO2 regulator as this may cause the bubble counter to break off or damage the components that prevent contamination of your regulator.
7. Always use a check valve in the CO2 tubing to protect your CO2 equipment as it prevents water from spilling out of the aquarium through the tubing towards the regulator.
8. If you face a problem with your CO2 regulator, do not attempt to diagnose or repair on your own without prior consultation of our experts.

Evergreen Midwest Co. has trained professionals and industry experts to give you proper advice for all your regulators and valves. You can contact us at 800.659.3358. We also have a wide selection of industrial regulators, valves and valve accessories that are tested for performance as per the latest international standards.

CO2 Cylinders - Storing of CO2 Cylinders

Anyone storing CO2 cylinders should be aware of the hazards associated with CO2 and should be trained in safe practices of storing CO2 cylinders. Below is a list of suggested safe storage practices of CO2 cylinders.

1. CO2 cylinders should always be stored in a specified area. The storage area should:
a. Be well ventilated. Small concentrations of CO2, as little as 15%, can cause loss of consciousness in less than one minute.

b. Be away from the edge of any elevated area. Falling CO2 cylinders from elevated areas can cause damage to the cylinder, valve, property and personnel.

c. Be away, or protected, from areas with high traffic. Areas of high traffic only increase the chance of an accident occurring.

d. Be dry and free of a corrosive atmosphere

e. Have adequate means to secure all cylinders stored in the area. The means of securing should be sufficient enough to hold the cylinders in place, while not causing damage to the cylinders.

f. Be a continuously cool place. Do not store cylinders adjacent to any source of heat, continuous or intermittent. *For more information regarding the dangers of overheating CO2 cylinders, please visit our blog next week*.

2. Never store a charged CO2 cylinder in a passenger vehicle or in the cab portion of any vehicle.
Empty Co2 cylinders should be stored with the valve tightly closed.

3. Cylinders can be stored standing upright on their base or lying on their side, although it is highly recommended that all

4. CO2 cylinders should be stored as designed, standing upright on their flat base.

5. Cylinders should never be stored where they might become part of an electrical circuit.

6. Cylinders, which have been manufactured to accommodate a valve protective carry handle or a protective cap, should be stored with these accessories installed and in place.

Including all the above in practices of storing CO2 cylinders safely should enhance the safety of all personnel, equipment, and property.

For more information regarding technical support documents on cylinders, please visit www.cganet.com.

Source - https://www.evergreenmidwest.com/blog/2018/02/26/storing-co2-cylinders/

CO2 Cylinders | 10 Great Tips for Safely Filling CO2 Cylinders

It is HIGHLY recommended that only trained personnel fill CO2 cylinders.

1. Perform an external inspection

2. Never fill a damaged cylinder, a cylinder with a damaged valve or a cylinder that has a valve with an altered safety relief device

3. Never fill, or “top off” a partially filled CO2 Cylinder

4. Empty all remaining contents of CO2 Cylinder

• Position it properly: rotate the cylinder so the valve port is facing away from all personnel and equipment.
• If not equipped with a dip-tube, cylinder should be inverted.

5. After moving or positioning the cylinder for emptying, allow a few minutes for any residual CO2 charge to settle before emptying.

• When ready, slowly open the valve, emptying any remaining charge and other contents (moisture, contamination, corrosion, etc.) from the valve.
• When empty, close the valve
• If any content other than CO2 charge is emptied from the cylinder, including any unusual odor, do NOT refill the cylinder. This cylinder should be subjected to further inspections.

6. Place cylinder on calibrated scale (should be able to measure weight with 3 significant digits – XX.X or X.XX, depending on size of cylinder)

7. Secure connection of filling hose to the cylinder

8. Record weight of connected empty cylinder to 3 significant digits. Add this weight to the CO2 charge marked on the crown of the cylinder.

• Connected Empty Cylinder weight (3 sig. digits) + CO2 charge marked on cylinder crown = Target fill weight

9. Open the valve slowly and fill cylinder. This should be done slow enough to accurately monitor the weight on the scale as to not exceed the target fill weight. Once the scale has reached the target fill rate, stop the fill by closing the valve

10. With hose still connected, verify the final weight is same as target fill weight. If the cylinder has been over-filled, discharge the overfill immediately - DO NOT WAIT.

Never over fill a CO2 Cylinder. Overfilling a CO2 Cylinder, even by a small amount, can cause the safety relief device on the valve to actuate and CO2 could be discharged unexpectantly. Unexpected discharge of CO2 gas through an actuated safety relief device has been known to cause accidents, sometimes leading to personnel injury or property damage.

For more information regarding technical support documents on cylinders, please visit www.cganet.com.

Source - https://www.evergreenmidwest.com/blog/2018/02/12/10-great-tips-for-safely-filling-co2-cylinders/