View Full Version : How long will co2 tank last?
hineigger
04-28-2003, 12:36 PM
Lets say a small 20oz bottle and a 5lb bottle, how long will either last?
Also, anyone know how much it is to fill either of these?
Skittyfish
04-28-2003, 1:18 PM
5lb bottles run about $8-$12 to refill, should last about 4 months, depending on your bubble rate. I would think a 20 oz wouldn't last long at all.
At 1.5 bubbles per second, my 10lb tank lasted one year and cost $11.35 to refill.
Richer
04-28-2003, 9:55 PM
I've had my 5lb tank running at slightly more than a bubble a second since New Years (I literally had to run out on Dec 30th to grab another bottle). Its still going strong right now.
-Richer
hatton3
04-30-2003, 4:13 PM
I got my tank 3/5/03. Bubbling about 1 bubble every 1.5 seconds. That keeps me around 23 ppm of c02. I expect the tank to go into July/Aug hopefully. :)
Skittyfish
04-30-2003, 5:26 PM
Geez...I have like 3-4 bubbles per sec. Holding my kh at 4 and my pH around 6.6. Hmmm...makes me wonder where my co2 is going...
hineigger
04-30-2003, 7:54 PM
Thats pretty cool guys, I guess Ill do the 5lb bottle. Anyone have a good link for DIY valves and things? I dont know the first thing about what hooks onto the bottle (besides a line going to the aquarium!) but Id imagine theres more to it.
hatton3
05-01-2003, 10:33 AM
You will need a 5 lb cylinder and regulator that are both designed for c02. You can get both at Rapids wholesalers for $100. Ask Skittyfish how she likes hers.
Then you need to get a needle valve from clippard and you'll be set.
You'll take c02 line from the regulator to the needle valve. Then after the needle valve, you'll run more co2 line into your reactor, which you can build yourself. Or you can run the line into a powerhead as well. Anything to break up the bubbles.
djlen
05-01-2003, 11:39 AM
Here is a link to the a description of the set up that hatton3 is talking about. http://www.dlink.org/aqua/CO2.html
I found that everything he describes here works well, except for the needle valve he uses from Home Depot. It's not very accurate compared to Clippard's and takes too much tinkering with. The other items from Home Depot are fine.
On the end of the system I use a Hagen's 402 Power Head as a reactor. Works great in my 55. If your tank is smaller, use a smaller power head.
Len
Skittyfish
05-01-2003, 4:00 PM
Yeah, Clippards needle valve is much better, and they are very helpful! I bought a reactor for the outside of the tank, there is a picture with the rest of pics if you want to look at it.
I will be glad to take a pic of how I put it all together if you need.