Does the airflow Adjustment ring need to be on the tank? I always keep it open all the way and prefer to have it off rather than take it on and off each time I fill. My tank recently started leaking. I'm hoping it's because I needed to clean it but wanted to make sure it wasn't from the lack of the ring
It only has to be removed for cleaning purposes, not during the filling.
most leaky tanks are a result of not having the coil screwed in tight enough OR a missing or broken o-ring on the coil itself.