A tank dump is a situation where the high pressure gets low enough, some
people say 500 pounds others say 200 pounts, that the regulator quits
working correctly and essentially increased the pressure from the high side,
effectively dumping (at lease more quickly) the rest of the co2. I have
read about people loosingentire tanks for fish from this.

I have also read a lot about the potential for a needle valve reducing or
possibly eliminating this threat. The arguement goes that if the normal
pressure is high enough, going out of the regulator, that increasing that
pressure in a dump situation will not cause an increase in flow thru the
needle valve. The needle valve is actually a "flow control" valve.

But again, as I said earlier, the best way to not have to be concerned with
this is to watch your pressure (high side) and when it gets near 500 lbs
refill your tank. (I just did myself).

Bob

P.S. If you want more info, do a google search on "co2 tank dump" and you
can have fun surfing.

"Frank Mamone" wrote in message
.. .
What is a tank dump situation?

Tks,

Frank

"Bob Alston" wrote in message
...
Read the pressure off your regulator (the high pressure if a two guage
regulator). If the pressure is well above 500, then "tank dump" is not
an
issue. If it is 500 or less, the regulator can be unstable and dump.
(Some
people say 500 and other say 200)

How long has the tank been in use & what bubble rate? My 5 lb tank
lasted
8
months on my 55 gallon tank.

Do you have a needle valve? If not, I recommend one. I think Dave now
sells them. If so, suggest you get one from him. they should help have
a
stable flow of co2. Also, it appears that they may reduce or eliminate
the
potential for end of tank dump syndrome.

Of course, if you think it is end of tank dump situation, the easiest
thing
is to refill your tank!

Good luck.

Bob
"John Pflum, Jr." wrote in message
...
I need a recommendation on a C02 system setup.

Right now I have the "Gomberg" system with a CO2 tank leading
directly into an eheim difuser that releases into my tank. The
reason I am looking to change is that I get wild fluctuations in
my PH and at times the PH plunges danegoursly low -- to 6.4 or
less. I am pretty sure this is due to the end of tank dump
phenomanon because when I turn off the tank the PH recovers. It
just seems to me that the tank should last longer than it does --
only about 4 months for a 25 pound tank.

Is there a system out there where I can avoid the end of the tank
dump scenario?

Thanks.

--

John Pflum, Jr.
Email: jpflumjr at nuvox dot net