[Lab_Man]

My 10 lb CO2 cylinder finally ran out. It lasted 4 months!!!

I got really lucky though, I didn't run out but it only had about 2 seconds of CO2 left when I opened the valve after I disconnected it to exchange it out.

I was very surprised at how fast the high pressure gauge dropped. I check it every couple days and it was very steady at 700 psi. When it dropped, it dropped like in a couple days. Then it dropped to 0 practically overnight.

So, for 4 months, CO2 cost me 12 dollars.

Pretty cheap, once you get all set up.

 

[jrman83]

What size tank was it on? I can usually get about 3 months from a 10 lb on a 125g.

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[houbanna]

I've read somewhere to replace tank at 800 psi to prevent end of tank syndrome, but not sure if that pertains to all pressurized co2 tank types. And thatsn only if u have a single stage reg. Could be wrong but read that on 2 different sites

 

[Darkblade48]

I've read somewhere to replace tank at 800 psi to prevent end of tank syndrome, but not sure if that pertains to all pressurized co2 tank types. And thatsn only if u have a single stage reg. Could be wrong but read that on 2 different sites

You should refill the cylinder when the high pressure gauge begins to fall. A full cylinder can be ~800 PSI, depending on temperature.

 

[houbanna]

Thanks darkblade48

 

[Lab_Man]

You should refill the cylinder when the high pressure gauge begins to fall. A full cylinder can be ~800 PSI, depending on temperature.

Your not kidding.

I just wanted to convey how fast your CO2 cylinder drops.
The pressure started at 700psi. It stayed there right until the end when it dropped to 600 for a few days and then 500 before it ultimately dropped to zero. The whole process of the psi gradually dropping lasted a coupled weeks.

My message, when the needle begins to drop get the cylinder replaced ASAP.

 

[jrman83]

I have never practiced that way. I always get mine refilled around 4 to 500 psi. Never had a problem and all single stage regs. Slowly replacing with dual stage so it won't matter.

 

[HUNTER]

Geez my paintball tank is over 4 months at 1bps, I should replace it.

 

[PlantedRich]

There are so many factors involved with when to refill that we each need to look it over to decide. If you have a reg and find it does do a EOTD that does bother your fish, you need to operate with that in mind. If you have a single stage reg and EOTD does no harm to the fish, you can operate differently. There are lots of things like how available CO2 is and how busy you are as well to consider.
I have a single stage reg but EOTD doesn't harm my fish. Just a big burp that spooks them a bit. It can take a full week for my tank to drain down and I'm here to watch. That means it works for me to let it go as low as I want. As long as it is not the weekend, I can get it refilled in an hour or two. Mostly just to fit my convenience, I refill when I'm going that way. The price of CO2 is very small compared to the gas of making a single use trip to refill it. Whatever fits for your setup and schedule?

 

[Lab_Man]

Rich, I saw the dramatic drop on Sunday. The place where I exchange my cylinder is closed before I can get there during the week. So I had to wait until Saturday.

However, I talked to them and they said that they would set one outside for me, so the next time I won't wait so long.

 

[PlantedRich]

That is the sort of thing that we all have to do a bit of thinking on advance if we want to avoid worry. Getting caught on weekends is one think to keep in mind. Then much depends on all sorts of small things. The guy that picks one up on a direct route home from work will have a different situation than the guy living out in the country and finding CO2 to be at the other side of town like 40 miles away. Sometimes it really will pay to choke up another $50 to have a spare tank rather than do the mileage.

 

[Lab_Man]

You are definitely right Rich. I have to drive 40 miles round trip to change the cylinder. So it cost me half again in gas money. So couple that with getting caught with my pants down and running out of CO2 over the weekend it might pay to buy another 10 lb cylinder.

Live and learn.

 

[Smeagol]

I bought two 5 lb. cylinders so that I can always have one filled and on standby ready to go when the current one starts to run out. I have no idea how long a 5 lb. will last me. I'm guessing not very long since I have it cranked up to about 10000000000000000000 bubbles per second. :wink:

 

[jrman83]

All it takes is a pb tank and an adapter to cover you while you get your tank filled if caught unable to get it filled right away.

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