CO2 tank sources?

[DIYMatt]

I am in the process of setting up a multi tank CO2 setup. I was hoping to get a 20# tank. I have checked locally at the welding shops and their prices seem high. About $100 for a 20#er, sometimes plus fill. I have read articles online of people finding the tanks for under $50. Does anyone know of where I would look for these kinds of deals?

Also, does anyone use the 50# cylinders? I can lease one for about $100 for five years, But it seems like an accessive amount of CO2. From what I understand I would own the tank after that, and just pay for fills.

Thanks in advance!

[mogurnda]

You have a local homebrewers' assn? Our local group has a list of sources, mostly from welding and fire extinguisher companies.

[djlen]

You are better off trying to scrounge an old one from a bar or similar establishment. Even if it's out of date and has to be re-tested it's only about $20 to retest plus the fill.
The reason I say that is when you buy an new one and take it to get re-filled, many places swap your tank for a full one and you end up with a used one anyway. The other alternative is to wait(if they do that) for them to re-fill yours which can be time consuming.
In my line of bus. I'm in and out of clubs all the time so it was easy to find used tanks, but I wouldn't think it would be a major problem finding someone with an old tank laying around.
That rental deal sounds like a good idea. Where did you see that? Other than being ugly, a 50lb. tank, IMO would be a good option other than the danger aspect of a larger tank. If used carefully, I don't think there is a great deal of danger of a tank going bad(exploding) though.

Len

[DIYMatt]

Thanks for the info Len, I'll call around.

I found the lease deal at a place called Reynolds welding supply here in Minnesota. It is one of those swap deals where you just swap it out for a full one. Actually, they had like 30 of the 50# tanks sitting around and only a couple 5 and 20#ers. I will have to check again to make sure that you own the tank after the lease. But, I know there wasn't a security deposit, so.......One issue is, what happens when it does go empty? It is a very large tank and all the ones they had were steel. The tanks are the size of the large welding tanks you see around. I might have to borrow a vehicle from someone to get it swapped out, which would be a pain, but it may only be yearly or so. The other issue is I would have to locate it in the basement and run long lines to the aqauariums upstairs($$). For some reason I don't think the better half would appreciate a big steel cylinder in the living room or the bedroom. One big cylinder is enough for her:D

[125gJoe]

If you do find that 50#'er, I cannot help you lift it as I don't want a hernia!! That size will be very heavy! :eek:

...Well, 90#'s anyway..

edit: try "Carbonics" in your phonebook...

[bobalston]

ow many tanks you got for this co2 system? I ask because a 20# tank should provide several 55 gallon tanks gas for several months. I have a 5# hooked to my 55 gal and I get about 8 months.

Would seem to me that you could get one 20# and maybe a 5# to use when the big boy is getting refilled.

Bob

[superjohnny]

Welding shops, fire extinguisher shops, pubs & brewery's can tell you where they get their CO2 tanks from, and brewing supply places.

I called around to like 25 places before I found mine. I love the research ;) I called (literally) every place withing 20 miles.

[DIYMatt]

I would initially use the CO2 for two tanks (75&45 w/MH), with at least two others planned in the future. My whole reason for finding other sources for tanks is $$. I have about $100 I can sink into pressurized CO2. I don't have much to spend on aquariums, period. Most of the fish and food I buy I do so from store credit from bringing in plants and Angel fry. All but one of the tanks I have, I have picked up off freinds or at garage sales. Example: 45g is a octaganol corner tank I picked for $30 off a friend of a friend. The stand has a little banged up and I re-siliconed a seam and it is in use with a 175w MH over it. All my MH lighting was scavenged from an office that was going to pay someone to dispose them because they toxic waste. I originally got about 15 of them for free. Sadly about a year before that they payed a company to dispose over 50 of them. At the time I didn't know there value. I have sold most of the lights I had to buy and setup my 75 with two of the 175's above it. I just reworked and rewired them to fit my needs. So, Bob, 2 CO2 tanks at almost $200 total is out of the question. I just read on a couple of websites of people buying tanks for less than $40, and I can hardly find them for twice that. I have tried every possible outlet I could think of other than the restaraunts themselves, and they about the same price everywhere. I guess it is what it is in my area. I think I am going to go the DIY CO2 route for know and see if I can find something out at the local Aquarium Society auction end of the month. It will be my first time attending one.

[Jamie]

Hi Matt, I got my 10# tank from a welding supply, filled, for 56 bucks. I could have got the 20# for 74 but stuck with the 10#er. I too called around and around and found the majority if the retailers to be priced as you say. Fortunately I came across this place and got a free fill on top of everything. I must have called 30 places though. I pretty much looked into all the types of places that superjohnny listed.

I think the biggest cost of putting the large tank in the basement would be CO2 resistant tubing. It will run you about $1/ft. All of your other conections should be easily kept close to the tanks (splitters, etc).

[DIYMatt]

Thanks Jamie! I just called about 10 more Fire extinguisher places and found one that would do a used 20# for about $50. Apparently, I would only be paying for the valve and the fill. He said fire extinguisher tanks have very different valves than the "general use" ones. He said he had lots of surplus 20 # tanks lying and he didn't really have a use for them. I forgot to ask if he would hydro test it or not. I would need that to get it filled at a place closer to my house.

Yep, I agree, a big cost and pain in the a.. would be running the lines tothe upstairs. I wasn't planning on buying the specifically "CO2 proof" tubing. I was planning on buying a big spool of the green silicone airline tubing for that. I thought it was effectively the same stuff as the stuff sold as "CO2 proof". Am I wrong?

I saw a 250' roll for like $25-30 on BigALs. Would this stuff work? I would need it for future tanks planned for the basement anyways. Thanks in advance for the help.

[bobalston]

$50 for that 20# tank with a new valve sounds good. Make sure that he hydro tests it and puts on the proper labeling and the date of the hydro test. That is key for later refills.

Best price I have seen on a regulator is $30 from Harbor Freight. I got my regulator from Rapids Wholesale - about $44.

And, if you have a local clippard dealer, you can get clippard MNV-4k2 needle bvalves for about $10. They also have the stuff to do a manifold as well. Suggest you have them build the whole thing for you. Also if you get the right adapters, you can make the manifold and needle valves go "in line" to the tubing so to be closer to your tanks.

Good luck!

Bob

[ianjoe]

Hey matt there are Praxis air suppliers here in the twin cites apparently one of the few places that will fill your tank. All the other places did trades. Of course i didn't hear of them till after i traded my nice shiney aluminum tank.

[Jamie]

I have it, though only 7 ft of it. FWIW, FL Driftwood talks a little bit about the permeability of the other tubing. Granted, they are selling the CO2 resistant stuff and they have to talk it up.

http://www.floridadriftwood.com/product.asp?3=168

Considering the length that you may have to run the line, it might be worth considering.

Good luck

-Jamie

[DIYMatt]

Thanks for the info everyone. I will probably go pickup the 20#er and go with silicone airline tubing for the time being. Both tanks are on opposite sides of the same wall. Then later, when I go down or upstairs with the lines, I will probably get one main section of CO2 proof tubing to make that run. I will be ordering the regulator and needle valves today also.

One last question, I was planning on just using brass fittings to construct my manifold. I use the teflon tape for gas lines to seal the connections. I was planning on starting with two tees and three of the long tubing nipples for the two tanks. Basically the input gas would attach to one end via a larger diameter nipple threaded into the first T with all female connections. then off the side of that tee put a nipple on for 1/4" airline tubing. Then off the other end of the first T, either with a connector or a male ended T, add another tee. then attach another 1/4" nipple off of the side of that T. Then, plug the open end, for now. Then, as I add tanks to it, I can just add T's on the end. Can anyone think of way this wouldn't work or what might work better? Thanks again and in advance for the help.

Jamie- Do you know what kind of run Florida driftwood is talking about on that webpage? That would be of most importance to me. Probably those with bubble counters mounted on their regulators, might like to know. If it is 5% over a 4' run or less that is somewhat signifcant. If it is 5% over a 20 foot run, not so much so. Also, they talk of "better" fit on connections. Maybe thats where most of the CO2 is lost. If so, I use tiny rubber bands pulled aroundthe tubing 4 or 5 times to make sure the fitting stays on and tight.