Will these CO2 tanks work for my application?

[Mantis_22]

Hey everyone, I am a paintballer and I always have extra tanks laying around the house. Today I was just thinking what I could do with these puppys? Then it came to me I could fill two of the (20oz tanks, they have pin valves and on/off switches on them) up and run a bypass between the two. Then all I would need it a regulator (I think) and then a cheap diffuser. Am I politcally correct or am I just talking jibberish? :)

[Skittyfish]

I don't know of anywhere that would fill them with CO2 for you since they aren't stamped as approved for CO2 use.

[Mantis_22]

umm yeah they are LOL, CO2 is a basic pressure format on using on a paintball gun. They are approved, actually even better since most have siphons to keep liquid CO2 Out, so all in all they are safe and I get them filled up all the time at a local hardware store for paintball games.

[Skittyfish]

Then they should be fine...Just get a regulator, needle valve, bubble counter and some way to diffuse it like a reactor or powerhead. Then you are set.

[Mantis_22]

Hey skitty,

Can someone give me links to all the parts I will need other than the CO2 tanks themselves. Im new to planting and Im learning more and more. Just give me the links to cheapest possible parts I need. I have 200$ and I need to blow it wisely and not on paintball or my car as usual :rolleyes:

[djlen]

Try this site for a decent set up.
http://www.dlink.org/aqua/CO2.html
Everything but the needle valve which you can get at many other sites. I use all the parts listed here, and did for a while use the needle valve. It was adequate, but not as precise as I wanted so I ended up with one from www.clippard.com
I also don't bother with a bubble counter. Keeping close track of pH and knowing your kH, IMO, make it unnecessary to build or buy a bubble counter. For a reactor I use an AquaClear 402 power head. Works fine.
Len

[bobalston]

I don't think your paint ball canisters will last very long. Suggest you do the whole thing and get a 5 lb co2 cylinder.

Bob

[Mantis_22]

it should last at least 1 month, or about 4-5 weeks each tank (20oz) Im not worried on making runs to the hardware store for it though, I'll just bypass the valves and when i need fresh CO2 open up another tank

[djlen]

Mantis, if the issue with the tank is cost, keep in mind that many places that fill CO2 tanks don't fill the ones you bring in. They give you one that is on site and full and send yours out for filling.
Therefore it is a good idea to look around for a used tank and buy it cheap. Many people buy shiny new tanks and are totally disappointed when they have to leave it there and take another tank home. I looked hard but eventually found two used tanks. Both cost me nothing.
As Bob says the paintball canisters will run out quickly. Also, I'm not sure that a standard regulator will fit on one of them without an adapter of some sort.
Hope this helps.
Len

[Skittyfish]

I've got the same stuff Len does. Works for me, once I figured out what I was doing.

[Mantis_22]

Where do you live ? LOL The only place in the State of Kentucky that does that process of switching tanks is Wal-Mart and K-Mart hehe. All local Hardware stores are glad to fill my tanks. Mostly free just because I buy stuff from there stores often. Plus the tanks should last like I said 4-6 weeks with a bypass valve to split the two tanks. As long as I know it can work thats all I wanted to know. I just need a regulator and a diffuser with piping.

[Skittyfish]

Scott-Gross just switches out. I take mine to Airgas and have it filled.

[punch]

Fire supply store will also fill and not switch.

[hatton3]

I bought my equipment at Scott-Gross, but I think I'm going to have my tank filled at AirGas as well - I'm not too keen about having my shiny new aluminum cylinder exchanged...:(

My cylinder is still going strong though, but that was the first thing I checked was refilling after I bought the cylinder - Turns out that AirGas is close to my home and I'll be going there.

[Skittyfish]

Also, make EXTRA sure that there are no leaks. I was using about 4-6 bubbles/second. Found the leak and now I use 1-2/s and get the same readings!

[aquatic-store]

give me an email i can help you out with regulator, reactor setup combo

marc
Http://www.Aquatic-store.com

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