CO2 proof tubing?

[125gJoe]

Is it really worth the extra money to use tubing that's claimed to be 'CO2 tubing?' Right now I have some green and regular clear tubing hooked up...

[gcvt]

I've heard that it is better than regular silicone tubing. But, I've never actually seen any tests to prove this...everyone just seems to say it's better - especially the people who sell it! I'm still using that green silicone line too.

[inxs]

I thought silicone was the CO2 safe tubing??

[Richer]

I believe the tubing you want to avoid is plastic tubing. That stuff will degard very quickly when used in CO2 injection. Silicon tubing is much better, but from what I understand, not 100% CO2 proof. It will allow some CO2 to escape, and from what I hear, also degrade over time. CO2 resistant tubing is 100% CO2 resistant, meaning it will not allow any CO2 to escape and resists being degraded.

HTH
-Richer

[inxs]

So what exactly is it made of?

[gcvt]

Originally posted by inxs
So what exactly is it made of?

That's a good question. I don't recall any retailers saying what it was made of. Most just say that it's 'special' and that it is 99% C02 resistant.

How about that John Guest tubing - like the stuff that comes on RO/DI units? Wonder if that would be any better than silicone?

[AsahiToro]

I have some norprene CO2 tubing from Coralife. I guess it's supposed to work well in terms of CO2 handling.

[inxs]

I did have problems with regular plastic tubing and switched to silicone - haven't had any problems since.

[DIYMatt]

Has anyone had problems getting the silicone tubing to seal as well as the cheap stuff?

I used it with regular airline fittings and when I switched over to the silicone I found that I had leaks. I assumed it was leaking around the check valve and my seperation chamber. I had to take very small cable ties and cinch them on the fittings to stop the leaks.

[inxs]

That is what I have done(cable ties) , there are some fittings which are slightly larger and can be found at home depot.