Kessil

Bubble counter non uniform bubbles

Baykes

Baykes

Supporting Member
BARcard
Was hoping I could get some help troubleshooting this issue, my bubble counter is not producing uniform bubbles making it hard to see how much is being dosed. Any ideas what to try?

 
I run around 10-12 psi.. Check for leaks then start at the source .. take the line off the solenoid to see if there is co2 coming out of it and also check the check valve on the co2 line..Can turn ur regulator off and and on should hear a click..Maybe trapped air/gas in reactor causing back pressure… Sometimes the bubble counters have a small built in check valve that can clog but regulators do freeze up!
 
BAYMAC said:
Usually you shoot for 10 or so.

What reactor & regulator are you using?
Click to expand...
It is a concoa dual stage regulator attached to a Geo Reef 618 reactor. The bubble behavior persists connected and disconnected from the reactor.

I tried bumping it up to 25 psi and am getting good bubbles, will double check this evening to see if it maintained the bubbles:

PjFish said:
I run around 10-12 psi.. Check for leaks then start at the source .. take the line off the solenoid to see if there is co2 coming out of it and also check the check valve on the co2 line..Can turn ur regulator off and and on should hear a click..Maybe trapped air/gas in reactor causing back pressure… Sometimes the bubble counters have a small built in check valve that can clog but regulators do freeze up!
Click to expand...
Solenoid is functional, may try a new bubble counter to see if that changes anything. Any issue running at the higher pressure if that is what works? Do the gauges ever become uncalibrated or is that not really a thing?
 
Baykes said:
It is a concoa dual stage regulator attached to a Geo Reef 618 reactor. The bubble behavior persists connected and disconnected from the reactor.

I tried bumping it up to 25 psi and am getting good bubbles, will double check this evening to see if it maintained the bubbles:


Solenoid is functional, may try a new bubble counter to see if that changes anything. Any issue running at the higher pressure if that is what works? Do the gauges ever become uncalibrated or is that not really a thing?
Click to expand...
Just read that the bubble behavior persists connected and disconnected. Was asking this question but deleted it. Maybe the pressure gauge is just off. There isn't an issue running higher pressure. 25 is not high. I run mine at 25 psi.
 
Did you bleed the co2 then slowly re pressurize the regulator sometimes that helps with a stuck diaphragm/needle..Gages can stop working correctly on regulators especially with very slow bubble rates and low pressure the needle can get stuck.. I use an electronic CarbonDoser after the two stage regulator. Nothing wrong with running that psi but sounds like you’re suddenly having issues? If so turning up the psi may just mask the problem unless your sure the regulator and check valves are working all correctly

​

 
PjFish said:
Did you bleed the co2 then slowly re pressurize the regulator sometimes that helps with a stuck diaphragm/needle..Gages can stop working correctly on regulators especially with very slow bubble rates and low pressure the needle can get stuck.. I use an electronic CarbonDoser after the two stage regulator. Nothing wrong with running that psi but sounds like you’re suddenly having issues? If so turning up the psi may just mask the problem unless your sure the regulator and check valves are working all correctly

​

Click to expand...
I bet the issue is the actual bubble counter. What needle are you talking about? The needle valve?
 
PjFish said:
How does your bubbles look on the actual reactor? I use the same reactor as the secondary chamber
Click to expand...
PjFish said:
Did you bleed the co2 then slowly re pressurize the regulator sometimes that helps with a stuck diaphragm/needle..Gages can stop working correctly on regulators especially with very slow bubble rates and low pressure the needle can get stuck.. I use an electronic CarbonDoser after the two stage regulator. Nothing wrong with running that psi but sounds like you’re suddenly having issues? If so turning up the psi may just mask the problem unless your sure the regulator and check valves are working all correctly

​

Click to expand...
This is a new to me setup, and I am trying to get it dialed in. Lots of newbie mistakes, went through 2 used cylinders that I thought must have been close to empty, but turns out I needed a washer between the canister and reg, doh! Now I have a vinyl washer and I used the soapy water spray method to look for leaks on the joints in the equipment.

The bubbles on the reactor side are less frequent but bigger. Reg side is one per 6 seconds, reactor is 1 per 24. Reactor bubble is roughly 4 times the size so I think it makes sense.

Thank you guys for your help so far! I am making dialing this thing in my project during my time off this week.
 
No PH controller. I agree, I will probably need to increase the bubble count, but I have it intentionally low at the present. I am following this guide to tune my bubble count: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VVDp1UOhxK1by9ofK0K83q2RyArEAEYtueOuUFy4SzI/edit?tab=t.0

Unless you mean the bubble count on the reg vs reactor being lower. I am not sure what the one on the reactor should look like, but as I said the bubbles reactor side are considerably bigger. I can try to get a video of it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top