How long will a 500g CO2 bottle last?

[dev]

I have finally purchased a pressurized CO2 system for one of my tanks; JBL Profi 2. It only came with a 500g bottle, and I'll get a bigger one as soon as possible.

In the meantime I was wondering what to expect from the 500g bottle. I'm running about 2 bubbles per second 12 hours a day. Do you think it will be weeks or months before I need a refill?

[Lady Hobbs]

I read a 5 lb pound tank of CO2 will last nearly a year. Even if it lasts only 9 months, who cares? They are cheap and not so large to be in your way.

[W_Oz]

A 1.1lb. (500g) cylinder will last a little over a month or so.

Typical mileage for a pressurized tank is around 0.8lb/mo. of CO2 (your mileage may vary based on efficiency of your system, volume of your tank, and how your water chemistry stacks up).

ILMGB has stated that a 5lb. Cylinder on his (I believe) 125gal lasts him about a month (please correct me if I'm wrong, I'm pulling this out of my brain here).

[dev]

I read a 5 lb pound tank of CO2 will last nearly a year. Even if it lasts only 9 months, who cares? They are cheap and not so large to be in your way.

Cheap? Nothing that can contain pressurized gas is cheap around here. A 2kg tank is about $350. The tank also need to be tested on every fill, so refilling a 2kg at least $50. :(

[fins_n_fur]

Cheap? Nothing that can contain pressurized gas is cheap around here. A 2kg tank is about $350. The tank also need to be tested on every fill, so refilling a 2kg at least $50. :(
I knew things in Norway were expensive, like here in NLs, but 50 bucks to fill a tiny 2kg tank? I won't complain about spending 15 Euros for my 1.5 kg tank, which I thought was pretty expensive for something we all pretty much exhale. What kind of tanks are you buying?

[dev]

I knew things in Norway were expensive, like here in NLs, but 50 bucks to fill a tiny 2kg tank? I won't complain about spending 15 Euros for my 1.5 kg tank, which I thought was pretty expensive for something we all pretty much exhale. What kind of tanks are you buying?

Sounds like the CO2 is priced in the same range, but we also have to pay for a pressure test before they will fill it up.

We don't have a lot to choose from. As far as I know, all CO2 tanks in Norway are owned by Aga or Statoil (I think you pay a refundable deposit when you "purchase" a tank, so they continue to own it). I'm not even sure if the JBL tank that came with the kit is legal, but it's possible they make exceptions for very small containers.

[Lady Hobbs]

I did not consider pricing in Norway. Here you can go to a beer or bottling company and pick up a 5 pound tank for not much at all.

[W_Oz]

Eeeesh....

Hydro testing on every fill? I thought having to get my cylinders hydro'd every 3 years was a pain in the neck. I don't suppose the sport of Paintball exists in Norway in any strength, does it? (Edit - Here in the States you can get a 20oz. (~570g) CO2 cylinder for Paintball use for around $15-20, if you do have fields in Norway or even a Proshop they should be able to fill those cylinders for a nominal charge, it would end up being a bit of a hassle, but might just save you some cash given the nature of CO2 consumption in the sport it is impractical for them to hydro the cylinders before they fill them)

If it does, and it isn't too cost prohibitive, I know of a work around you can do using some paintball parts to rig your own CO2 system that way.

Shoot me a PM if you like.

[dev]

Eeeesh....

Hydro testing on every fill? I thought having to get my cylinders hydro'd every 3 years was a pain in the neck. I don't suppose the sport of Paintball exists in Norway in any strength, does it? (Edit - Here in the States you can get a 20oz. (~570g) CO2 cylinder for Paintball use for around $15-20, if you do have fields in Norway or even a Proshop they should be able to fill those cylinders for a nominal charge, it would end up being a bit of a hassle, but might just save you some cash given the nature of CO2 consumption in the sport it is impractical for them to hydro the cylinders before they fill them)

If it does, and it isn't too cost prohibitive, I know of a work around you can do using some paintball parts to rig your own CO2 system that way.

Shoot me a PM if you like.

Good point. There are both paintball and softball fields in the area, and a proshop too. I'll have a word with them.

I think the regulations for CO2 containers mostly have fire extinguishers in mind. They are not refilled very often, and thus it makes sense to test them whenever they are.

[dev]

Yay. Found an offshore company that will sell me brand new 2 kg bottles for $180 and fill them for $40 :)

Now I can afford CO2 on my other planted tank too.

[W_Oz]

sweet =D

Sounds expensive to me still, but hey, I'm also not in Norway.... Good Luck!