Paintball CO2 Setup

**MCHRKiller** · 03-22-2011, 01:35 AM

I am looking into putting a CO2 setup on my 100G. I had originally wanted a 5-10lb tank but I have had zero luck finding a place which delt with individuals for large "bulk" tanks as they call them. I could buy prefilled 5lb CO2 tanks at several places but each were around $200...which I am not willing to spend. So I have decided to go with a 20oz paintball setup, which should last around 2-3 weeks. It will still be MUCH easier than dosing Excel, not to mention more effective and I can keep some Vals again. I am planning on this regulator with solenoid:
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/4531/product.web

Anyone have any experience with it?

I also have 260watts of PC lighting on the tank which is 24" deep with around 3" of substrate and the fixture sits right on top of the tank rim if that matters. Also can anyone recommend a good CO2 diffuser for a tank this size? I have thought about a needle wheel powerhead...but am unsure of just how effective it would be.

**TypeYourTextHere** · 03-22-2011, 01:52 AM

I am nowhere near being ready for one of these, but thanks for the link. I hope to have A CO2 system going within the year.

**WhiteDevil** · 03-22-2011, 02:09 AM

MH, you cant find a place, any welding supply house and fire supply house will refill it. I have a 20oz bottle for $10 bucks plus shipping, brand new never EVER used on anything, still has factory inspection marks on it.

Its collecting dust as I use 5# tanks for my Co2 set up.

**MCHRKiller** · 03-22-2011, 02:23 AM

Nope, I was on the phone for 2 hours one day I called Airgas places...Welding supply places...Sporting goods places. The few I found that deal with CO2 wont refill anything larger than 20oz and the few others I found that would deal with an individual customer and not a business wanted nearly $200 for a filled 5lb tank. Im afraid to dive into anything larger than the 20oz and just being stuck when they decide not to refill it again...so its best in the end to just go with the 20oz. Plus I have quite a few on hand from when I used to play paintball so it will work out. There wont be an issue using an older tank?

**TypeYourTextHere** · 03-22-2011, 02:41 AM

The only issue with using an older tank is the valve might need to be replaced from time to time, just like when paint balling. That is freaking ridiculous...$200 for 5 lbs of co2.

**jetajockey** · 03-22-2011, 06:08 AM

I've never used this site personally but I've seen plenty of good reviews, and it looks like you can get out for a little over a hundred bucks. I'm not sure how much the 'hazardous materials' charge is from UPS.

http://www.aquariumplants.com/Alumin...isters_p/t.htm

I think you might regret going the paintball route, especially on that large of a tank.

**MCHRKiller** · 03-22-2011, 08:01 AM

I doubt it would be much cheaper with shipping, others have told me the hazardous materials charge is insane. The 20oz bottles seem to be the best option right now...and compared to daily Excel dosing swapping a bottle out every couple of weeks will be cake. I also feel an efficient diffuser will help save CO2 and help me get the most out of a bottle.

I have decided on a rather interesting diffuser. I am going to be using a needle wheel pump(Octopus 1000) and using a meshmod kit commonly seen for reef skimmers. Mesh is just added to the top of the needlewheel to decrease the bubble size produce creating in this case a very fine mist of CO2 gas throughout the tank. Many people have reported awesome results and of all the reactors/diffusers I have seen this seems to be the best option for my planned setup.

**WhiteDevil** · 03-22-2011, 01:11 PM

Nope no issues.

I got my set up from aquariumplants.com, the 5# empty bottles brand new were 55 each, then the regulator and their big reactor.

The bottle I got is empty it can ship in a medium flat rate and is non hazardous, the fill valve is still factory paint sealed.

PM me your zip code I can use my chicago attitude and business as a means to get your tank filled for $15bucks. I deal with this stuff all the time out here, one day its OK next day they have never filled a tank like that before.

**Cascade** · 03-22-2011, 02:07 PM

Oh! Wow, you and I are at about the same place in our CO2 plans. I thought about going the paintball tank route (I started a thread on it with some questions several weeks ago), but I ended up buying (just yesterday) a 5# tank at a local welding supply store for $80 filled. Rather than refilling, they do a tank swap when it is empty, which costs $12 + tax to do. I figured that price really couldn't be beat.

I also purchased a regulator from them, which is actually designed for beer brewing/kegging. It is a dual gauge regulator and only cost me $56.

I know you said you have tried, but have you looked into any homebrew supply companies? Our local homebrew supply was pricier than the welding supply, but it is another place to check out. You might find a better price on a regulator at least.

Can you tell me more about the diffuser that you are talking about? I was going to start a thread this morning asking for recommendations on diffusers for a 75 gallon tank, and I'm very interested in what you described. I was planning on shopping around online and ordering the needle valve and diffuser (and maybe a bubble counter) hopefully today so I can complete my setup.

**MCHRKiller** · 03-22-2011, 04:11 PM

We dont have any homebrew companies...which is surprising as I live in the sticks

I really doubt anyone around here has a need for using CO2 on a personal level outside of paintball...I have never encountered anyone within a couple hours drive that had a high tech reef using a calcium reactor or more than a few sporatic aquarium plants. I am sure the companies think I am going to use CO2 in some contorted way to manufacture meth or something crazy. Fortunately refilling my paintball bottles will only cost $3 each and I have 5-6 on hand.

Its a very simple setup with the diffuser I mentioned. You simply attach your CO2 line to the venturi of a Needlewheel powerhead and even without the mesh mod it would create a fine mist of CO2. These style powerheads are used in protein skimmers as they mix air and water to create a fine mist of bubbles to extract organics from the water. In this case it chops up the CO2 and mixes it with water creating a mist of Co2 gas....it also improves water circulation just by the act of being a powerhead. Your CO2 gets mixed well with the water and dispersed in the tank. The meshmod modification is also a reef trick for improving the performance of a needlewheel....it simply creates and even finer mist of bubbles wich will improve the use of CO2 in your tank.

Here is a thread I came across last night for more info and some handy links:
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/f...heel-pump.html