Brand new CO2 tank valve is stuck...? (this is kinda an emergency)

[cgcaver]

OK, im sure this will attract many flames :\ I ordered a filled CO2 tank from aquariumplants.com and much to my surprise it came today (seemed way early). I already had my Milwaukee MA957 regulator here and assembled. First question... the tank was very warm (its hot here)... thats not a good thing is it? Shouldnt a CO2 tank with liquid CO2 be cold LOL ?

I got the regulator on the tank no problem, nice and tight. Heres where the problem started: I started to open the tank valve and gas started to escape (high pressure). This only lasted for about 1 second (at the most 2) and I immediately closed the tank valve, after pee'ing my pants

I remembered that I forgot to open the main regulator flow valve. Now, on the instruction sheet from the Milwaukee guys, it says doing this can cause damage to the diaphragm inside the regulator or can damage the right gauge. So, then I opened the regulator valve like Im supposed to, and followed all the other directions to the T. This time, when I opened the tank valve, it seemed fine, I got a reading on my high pressure gauge, and nothing blew up! So I opened the tank valve all the way like the directions said to do.

As I opened the needle valve (as instructed), gas started come through and even spit some of my water out of the bubble counter. After I had a steady flow going through, I tried to move on to the next stage where you close down on the regulator valve so you get a reading in the left gauge (low pressure gauge). As I started to close the main regulator valve as instructed, I got a slight reading on the left gauge for about 1 second (maybe 1-2 PSI) and then all of a sudden, both gauges lost all pressure and are now sitting at zero. Does this mean my tank is freakin empty?! How?!

As if that weren't enough - here's the main problem. I cannot get the tank valve to open OR close. It will not twist either way. Can someone please help me... This is really starting to spook me.

 

[FroggyFox]

I deleted the duplicate thread...no need to post in two different forums as people will read all of the new posts regardless of which forum they're in.

As for the problem...sorry I'm not going to be much help as I dont use C02...but if I were you I think I'd call either the manufacturer or email the aquariumplants.com staff and see if any of them have pointers for you. If you think of it like a carbonated drink...I could see how the bottle easily could have been emptied by opening it incorrectly when it was hot. Usually if things are hot and they're not supposed to be...its a good idea to let them cool down...put them in the shade etc. Thats what you'd do with a carbonated beverage right? You probably wouldn't leave it in the sun and shake it up real good before opening it. I actually had a pop can explode in my car this weekend because I went up in altitude for a bbq and left it closed in my cupholder with the windows in my car closed in the sun.

 

[Avalon]

Wow...I can't believe that they shipped you a tank full of CO2. This is extremely dangerous! Usually, tanks are shipped empty and you fill them. 1000 psi will put a hole in your car door if it blows. Like Froggy mentioned, heat is not good for CO2, and it will blow the valve off the top of the tank. Obviously, this isn't your problem, but it serves to warn people getting their CO2 tanks refilled NOT to leave them in your car while you shop for fish, particularly in the summer time.

Anyway, CO2 is a liquid (and cold) when under pressure. When you open the valve, the pressure is released and it becomes a gas. So, to see if your tank still has CO2, you can turn it upside down and listen for splashing (there won't be a massive splashing like with water). The tank may very well be empty; there are many factors that can cause leaks. As for not being able to twist the valve, that's not good. Don't force it, whatever you do. Take the regulator off and take the tank down to a local gas supply place or a welding shop. They can tell you what's wrong and how to fix it. They should be able to fix it for you as well, but it might take a day or 2.

I doubt your regulator is messed up. Another way to not damage the regulator on subsequent refills is to very slowly open the tank valve until the pressure is up to 900-1000psi (should take a second or two), then crank the rest open. Basically, when you first twist the valve, the pressure will come up, so twist very slowly at first, then crank away. You can see that if the valve was not closed tightly during transport, it will leak. The immediate burst of high pressure is what kills regulators. Also, when in operation, make sure the tank valve is either open all the way when on, or turned all the way off (snugly) when not in use. Most everything is made of brass, and brass is a soft metal. Forcing anything will cause damage.

Most importantly, be careful! Always treat the tank as if it is pressurized, even when empty. Top up always and keep out of heat and direct sun. If you have to transport the tank laying down--say a seat next to you, always point the valve towards you. If it does pop off, the tank will go away from you.

 

[cgcaver]

wait... you said turn it upside down to listen for sloshing... then you said "top up always"... /boggle

and... you said sudden bursts of pressure is what kills regulators, but you said mine is probably fine. Seems like thats exactly what happened to mine (when i turned the tank valve open and didnt have the main regulator valve open yet - and the gass cloud came out of the safety valve on the tank i think)... so what makes you think my regulator is OK? I mean I hope to God it is, it was $80

 

[Avalon]

wait... you said turn it upside down to listen for sloshing... then you said "top up always"... /boggle

Well, not completely upside down...just tilt it around enough to listen for splashing. Top up always when transporting and storing.

and... you said sudden bursts of pressure is what kills regulators, but you said mine is probably fine. Seems like thats exactly what happened to mine (when i turned the tank valve open and didnt have the main regulator valve open yet - and the gass cloud came out of the safety valve on the tank i think)... so what makes you think my regulator is OK? I mean I hope to God it is, it was $80

Because you said the gas came out of the relief valve. This means there wasn't flow through the regulator--it was closed you said. A closed regulator shouldn't be damaged. Also, why did the gas come out of the relief valve on the tank? It shouldn't have. You should check into that.