How long does a 10lb bottle of CO2 last

[wkopplin]

My 10lb CO2 bottle is empty. I just got it in late April. Any idea why it went empty so soon? My bubble counter was showing a bubble or two a second, but it was not free flowing. I have a JBJ solenoid on the tank that has a needle valve. The tank pressure is reading zero.

I am very confused. Considering scrapping the solenoid and going with a flowmaster. Where do I get one of those?

[Gator]

i have had the same bottle for around 8 months and it is fine. i know some other people who have a mysterious disapering of co2, the bottom line is you have to have a leak somewhere and this could seriously drive down your ph even if it is onluy in the air and not in your tank. I dont know how to find the leak but mabey someone can help out....

[::pete::]

You could check around the solenoid and bottle area with a little mild soap and water, looking for bubbles.

[NaCl_H2O]

Try the soapy water in a spray bottle trick and look for bubbles around all the fittings. Maybe the guage went bad?

I'm not using a reactor yet, but will be in the future ... where in SA do y'all get CO2 bottles filled? I have heard you should look for beverage or medical suppliers, welding supplier's CO2 may contain oil :?

Is Praxair @ 10750 Iota one option?

[Ram_Puppy]

just a reminder, CO2 is a liquid under pressure, and with most regulators, if the liquid gets into it, it's toast. (I ruined a very expensive regulator for my planted tank a long while ago doing that.

[wkopplin]

I am taking it in to get refilled. I will test for leaks then, but it is definately empty. I think the regulator is OK. I must have had a loose fitting somewhere. Not sure. A complete mystery to me at this point. I will refill it and see what happens.

[StephenA]

My first bottle when in a week due to a leak on the regulator.

[JeffCo]

I have a 5lb that lasted about 9 months. Check to see if there is a gasket where the regulator meets the co2 bottle, mine had a plastic one and it keeps the co2 from leaking. I also put some teflon tape on the threads of the bottle and mine is air tight. But, definately try the soap technique.

[wkopplin]

I found the problem. The plastic gasket was cracked. That has to be it. I have a second one and will put it on ther as well as some teflon tape.

[brewercm]

I've heard using teflon tape on those is bad because it may interfere with the teflon gasket from seating properly. Check with them where you get it filled and see what they say just to make sure. Maybe the drugs just kicking in (they're legal) also that made me think that.

[StephenA]

They told me to use teflon tape on mine to get the best seal.

[wkopplin]

I will ask them.