calcium reactor questions.

[mph84]

I recently purchased a cr-1 and i'm curious how long a 5 lb c02 bottle should last.

thanks
mike

 

[glxtrix]

Unfortunately that's going to really differ from tank to tank. Factors like tank size and how fast your corals use up the alk and ca can only determine that.

 

[hnguyen]

glxtrix;597405 wrote: Unfortunately that's going to really differ from tank to tank. Factors like tank size and how fast your corals use up the alk and ca can only determine that.

+1. the more your coral use up the calcium the higher you have to set your drip rate. But lets say you have a 90g with mid. SPS, your looking at maybe 6 months tops. Your regulator should tell you that. The gauge starts to drop low as you come near empty. Even then you still have a good week left so you still have time to get another bottle in place.

 

[mph84]

thats what i thought too. I've had mine setup for about 2 weeks and the tank is almost empty. i think i either have a leak or the tank wasn't actually full to start. thanks

 

[hnguyen]

a good way to tell if its full is to shake it and you should be able to hear a little bit of liquid movements. Another way is to check its weight. I wish I could tell you how much a full 5lb tank weighs but I'm not sure myself. (and no its not 5lb) you can try and do a google search on a co2 tank to see if you can find some specs on it

 

[peachygirl]

Depends on what your individual tank is made of, as steel is much heavier than aluminum to begin with. Somewhere on the cylinder there should be a tare weight stamped on it. That is what the cylinder weighs when empty. Add 5 pounds to the tare weight and that is how much it should weigh when full.

HTH,
Laura