Paintball vs. 5lb.

The 20 oz can last a few months at 2-3 bps but I'd go with the 5lb, less hassle and cost in the long run


Sent from my fingers

I think a lot depends on space available for the tank, access to CO2 refilling stations, and convenience. I went with a 5 lb tank for a nano aquarium. I'm running 1 BPS. It will take me years to run out unless I have a leak somewhere. I found a place across the street from my office that would refill CO2 for cheap. Some towns only have welding shops that will only do tank swaps for the 5 lbs tanks instead of refills, so that's something to keep in mind. The only other consideration I can think of would be your regulator size. If you have a big regulator, it can get really top-heavy on a paintball tank. It's a good idea to brace up both paintball and 5/10 lb tanks to prevent them from toppling over, so maybe in the end, that doesn't matter if you brace them properly.

Good luck!

Personally, I'm a fan of the 20oz co2 tanks. Even at 2-3 bps, my tank lasts me around 3-4 months, and they're just so much more convenient. Easy to take and refill, and not as space consuming as the 5G. As SaltyNC stated, match your regulator size to the tank size though. A 20oz co2 tank looks ridiculous with a 8 inch regulator on it.

At 3-4bps my 20oz co2 lasts about a month.

I am going to go with the aquatek regulator. From what I know it's smaller in size? I think?... lol I tried the diy paintball co2, and that is just a horribly bad idea. Too much pressure for it.

No the aquatek is a big head for a paintball CO2 tank. The one from GLA is nice and little. I got the aquatek and I like it. I got the one with 6 output.

I ran this for awhile. The space was tight in my old stand. Since I have a new tank and stand, I went with a 5 lb cylinder. I get it refilled at a Fire Extinguisher place for $18.00, about 22 cents an ounce. I used to get the paintball filled for 25 cents an ounce.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/h_bosman/4379697140/


I was lucky, the Victor VTS 250 balanced perfectly on the paintball tank even, when it was empty. With the 5 lb aluminum tank, the regulator hangs off to the side so, it will topple over if I am not careful.

I wonder why there seems to be so much varience in terms of how many months a CO2 tank will provide. Perhaps we all have differences/accuracy of bubble counters?

Aqua07 said:

I wonder why there seems to be so much varience in terms of how many months a CO2 tank will provide. Perhaps we all have differences/accuracy of bubble counters?

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Some bubble counters make larger bubbles. Also, it depends on what PSI the working pressure is set to. In my case, I run it at 10 PSI for 3 months on a 5 lb cylinder. The bubbles come out at a constant stream. I read somewhere that the bubbles have more CO2 per bubble at higher PSIs. Alot of variables. I just use the bubble counter to be able to see if the CO2 is running or not. It helps to see if I'm adjusting the metering valve up or down also. Counting the bubbles is kind of meaningless as a comparison to the settings of others.

As far as how long a cylinder lasts. That depends on the size of the aquarium, the efficiency of diffusion and the amount of off gassing of the CO2.

I like my 20oz jaggedfurry set up. Been running since last year with refill every month. Plus I have a 12 gallon long tank so it can easily be placed in the cabinet.

I just set up my 24 oz. paintball tank with aquatek regulator at 2bps. Sports Authority filled up my tank for $3.82 (14.5cents per ounce). I wonder if they would fill a 5 gallon tank...

Gooberfish said:

I just set up my 24 oz. paintball tank with aquatek regulator at 2bps. Sports Authority filled up my tank for $3.82 (14.5cents per ounce). I wonder if they would fill a 5 gallon tank...

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That's right! I remember filling up a 20 OZ and a 24 OZ at Sports Authority and they charged the same for both.

sunyang730 said:

No the aquatek is a big head for a paintball CO2 tank. The one from GLA is nice and little. I got the aquatek and I like it. I got the one with 6 output.

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If I go the paintball tank route then I will be getting the adapter so it fits.

hbosman said:

Some bubble counters make larger bubbles. Also, it depends on what PSI the working pressure is set to. In my case, I run it at 10 PSI for 3 months on a 5 lb cylinder. The bubbles come out at a constant stream. I read somewhere that the bubbles have more CO2 per bubble at higher PSIs. Alot of variables. I just use the bubble counter to be able to see if the CO2 is running or not. It helps to see if I'm adjusting the metering valve up or down also. Counting the bubbles is kind of meaningless as a comparison to the settings of others.

As far as how long a cylinder lasts. That depends on the size of the aquarium, the efficiency of diffusion and the amount of off gassing of the CO2.

Click to expand...

The back pressure caused by the diffuser is what would dictate the pressure in the line(pressure of the bubble). If your working pressure is set to 10 or 1000 psi, the pressure in the line will only be as much as it takes to get through the diffuser. Something like GLA's diffusers that require 30 psi to operate would have more C02 per bubble than say a reactor that requires almost no pressure to work.