When to Order Replacement CO2 Tank?

DGalt

DGalt

AC Members
Jun 1, 2008
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Connecticut
I have a pressurized CO2 system on my 15 gallon that is using a 2.5lb tank. The place I get my tanks from, though, doesn't usually carry 2.5lb tanks (they randomly had 2 when I was looking for one when I set up the tank; when I needed to get a filled tank they gave me the other of the pair), so I need to give them some warning before I need a filled up tank.

But I don't want to give them too much of a warning (i.e. order the tank 3 weeks before I need it).

So at about what psi should I order the new tank? For the life of me I can't remember what psi the tanked started at but it's currently at about 300psi. The needle on the 2nd gauge, though, hasn't moved (yay for Victor regulators).

I have the needle valve set to about 1bps, since that obviously affects how much CO2 I'm using. Also, the system is on a timer, so it's really only going for about 10hrs a day.

thanks :)
 
why dont you just have a extra tank on hand and when you need it you have it? hook up the new one and get another one seems it would make this the easiest way to do it?
 
i know that's an option but i'm a broke college student so paying $70 for another tank seems a bit excessive
 
A 2.5# tank will deliver very little warning. CO2 is a liquid in the tank, so the pressure is constant - until the liquid is gone. Then you have just one tank volume at ~700PSI, which will go down pretty quickly. If your regulator is single stage, any instability in room temp. during this phase can induce "end of tank dump" - overdosing your tank with CO2.

Either pull & reweigh your tank (you have a tare weight, or at least a gross weight from before you installed your full tank, right?) & order a replacement as soon as you see the pressure fluctuate, or have a spare on hand.
 
I'm with Squawkbert. Since your system is on a timer you should also get a sense for how long the tank lasts (opposed to a pH controller type system). Replacing on a regular interval is a good way to ensure you don't get an end of tank dump (and the wasted dollar or two (tops) of CO2 is worth not killing your fish (trust me!)).
 
They don't refill on site? That's the option I would shoot for. With a delivery pressure of 300psi, it could be any day now. If you didn't have that Victor Reg. It would have already been gone.
 
alright, i'll call them up and see if they can refill it on site. if not i'll just have them order a new tank.

thanks :grinyes:
 
by the way, how long should a 2.5lb tank last? it's been about 3 months on this tank
 
For a 15g tank, if you have some surface agitation.. 3 months may not be out of line.

Options: trade 2.5# in for a larger tank, as long as the 2.5# one used standard fittings. Advantage: most refill-on-the-spot places will charge about the same for doing a 2.5# one as for a 5# or 10# one. Also - a 2.5# tank is not much cheaper than a larger tank, so upgrading would be cheap and save money on refills.

Are you running CO2 full time? If so, go spend $6 on a timer and tie your CO2 to your photoperiod. This will save you at least 50% for the cost of a solenoid valve.
 
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