Co2 hookup

Alright I just got my new dual meter co2 tank valve in the mail. Awesome, right? I procede to set up tubing around the rim of my hps light so the co2 would shower down on my plants when the timer is on. When the co2 is on, the vents are off. I used an exacto knife and just cut slits in my tubing where I want it took leak. One problem I perceive is that my timers have a minimum interval of 15 minutes. According to the co2 chart here my co2 on the lowest setting only needs to run 3.27 minutes. Hmmm?

So my question. The valve is brass, there is no rubber sealing or anything. It's threaded and screws on to the co2 tank. The directions say to screw it on by hand. I did so as tight as I could but when I turn the co2 tank to put it's pressure in control of the valve it rapidly leaks (or rather sprays!) out where the valve connects. I don't own a wrench, but I'm going to go buy one as soon as I'm sober enough to drive. The connection where the tank connects to the valve is brass on brass, shouldn't there be rubber in there somewhere to make it seal?

Any thoughts on my question or my co2 setup would be greatly appreciated.

SelfSupplied said:

Alright I just got my new dual meter co2 tank valve in the mail. Awesome, right? I procede to set up tubing around the rim of my hps light so the co2 would shower down on my plants when the timer is on. When the co2 is on, the vents are off. I used an exacto knife and just cut slits in my tubing where I want it took leak. One problem I perceive is that my timers have a minimum interval of 15 minutes. According to the co2 chart here my co2 on the lowest setting only needs to run 3.27 minutes. Hmmm?

So my question. The valve is brass, there is no rubber sealing or anything. It's threaded and screws on to the co2 tank. The directions say to screw it on by hand. I did so as tight as I could but when I turn the co2 tank to put it's pressure in control of the valve it rapidly leaks (or rather sprays!) out where the valve connects. I don't own a wrench, but I'm going to go buy one as soon as I'm sober enough to drive. The connection where the tank connects to the valve is brass on brass, shouldn't there be rubber in there somewhere to make it seal?

Any thoughts on my question or my co2 setup would be greatly appreciated.

Click to expand...

I know mine had a plastic gasket inside where the valve connects. And you definitely need a wrench to tighten it.
Good luck.

I got my wrench and a tightening solved my leaking problem. My co2 is now working properly and on a schedule. It's set to run for 2 minutes three times a day, 8 hours apart, at a flow setting of 2. This will take my room to 1500ppm of co2 in theory. My vents and fans are off for 15 minutes starting two minutes before my co2 comes on.

I do have a concern, though. My bloom tent is relatively air right via tape, velcro, tarps, etc etc etc except one hole 12" in diameter in a bottom panel where my in duct air comes in. This hole is only 8" off the ground and that fan is off while the co2 runs (it is a small desk fan fastened to a drier vent with zip ties and duct tape).
My concern is that this hole in my tent will cause a big leak and I'll lose a lot of co2 from it. Does anyone have any ideas to solve it?

So far I have come up with a few ideas stemming from the same basic concept. They don't seem practical, though. Here they are.

1: Put a peice of cardboard over the hole that is attached at the bottom corners with string and at the top of the hole with a hinge. In this case when the can is on the air will force it open and airflow will go but when the fan turns off it will hinge closed and seal the room partially. Probably the best of my ideas.

1: Put plastic streamer type things in the vent. Basically the same idea. The streamers blow out of the way when the fan is on but are at rest when the co2 is running.

3: Keep that fan on all the time. This way co2 can't possibly escape through the hole because it's blowing air in. The problem with this solution is clearly that it will blow some co2 out of the other cracks in the top of the tent and a great deal through my top duct, even though said duct will be off during this time.

Please post your thoughts!

Get a backflow damper from Home Depot or Lowes. It allows air to only go one way. When your fan is on, the damper opens up, allowing air in. When the fan turns off, the damper shuts, preventing air or your CO2 from escaping prematurely.

valve in the mail. Awesome, right? I procede to set up tubing around the rim of my hps light so the co2 would shower down on my plants when the timer is on. When the co2 is on, the vents are off. I used an exacto knife and just cut slits in my tubing where I want it took leak. One problem I perceive is that my timers have a minimum interval of 15 minutes. According to the co2 chart here my co2 on the lowest setting only needs to run 3.27 minutes. Hmmm?