nighthawk Posted October 6, 2009 Report Share Posted October 6, 2009 I am considering (finally) adding CO2 to the bigger planted tank. It's been doing ok with Excel for a couple years, but I think I am mentally prepared to have a high-pressure canister, all ready to explode a la Mythbusters in my house. :boxed: Any opinions on the best style to get and where to get it? I have seen the Red Sea systems around, but they seem fairly expensive for what you actually get. It's a 90 gal that I'd be putting it on, so the DIY option isn't one I've ever really considered, and I think "paintball" canisters would likely be insufficient. Any thoughts would be welcomed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
werner Posted October 6, 2009 Report Share Posted October 6, 2009 The cylinder should be available locally- industrial gas/welding suppliers, home brewing shops, fire extinguisher/safety places, etc. You may be able to get a regulator with it. If not, the Milwaukee regulator/needle valve/solenoid unit is about the cheapest at $120ish. However, some people have had issues with getting a consistent bubble rate with it. Mine haven't exploded yet, but I did have an (almost) empty cylinder vent in the car when I was taking it in for a refill- it wasn't well secured and was rolling around. There wasn't much CO2 left in it, so I just opened the windows and kept on driving. :smokey: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted October 7, 2009 Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 I've been told that you can get a CO2 system for around $150 if you get your parts from welding supply shops - I looked into it about 5 yrs ago, but decided to just buy the package at Nature's Corner. Henry & Gillian usually give a deal to AA members, and they have everything you need at one place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewels Posted October 7, 2009 Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 Go for it!! Once you have a pressurised cylinder you will never look back. I built an excellent system from a welding supply. The finite control is spectacular! I needed an adapter as the regulator was for - I think , NITROGEN GAS ?. I like, that with a customer owned bottle, I do not have to worry about inspection schedules. When it becomes empty I take it in for exchange, takes all of about five minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krystle Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 Go for it!! Once you have a pressurised cylinder you will never look back. I built an excellent system from a welding supply. The finite control is spectacular! I needed an adapter as the regulator was for - I think , NITROGEN GAS ?. I like, that with a customer owned bottle, I do not have to worry about inspection schedules. When it becomes empty I take it in for exchange, takes all of about five minutes. Is there a link with more info about building a c02 system from a welding supply? Sounds interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cgy_Betta_Guy Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 Go for it!! Once you have a pressurised cylinder you will never look back. I built an excellent system from a welding supply. The finite control is spectacular! I needed an adapter as the regulator was for - I think , NITROGEN GAS ?. I like, that with a customer owned bottle, I do not have to worry about inspection schedules. When it becomes empty I take it in for exchange, takes all of about five minutes. I have been thinking of getting a CO2 System as well and I am curious since you mention inspection schedules which I assume is on the tank itself and required by the company filling the tank? Just trying to get a full picture of what is involved in buying a system and tank and any hassles or difficulties etc involved with getting fills done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
werner Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 I have been thinking of getting a CO2 System as well and I am curious since you mention inspection schedules which I assume is on the tank itself and required by the company filling the tank? Just trying to get a full picture of what is involved in buying a system and tank and any hassles or difficulties etc involved with getting fills done. Tanks have to be re-certified every 5 years. They should have a date stamp somewhere on the tank to indicate when it was done last. You can get it done here in Calgary at Sprouse Fire and Safety (they do re-fills too). I think I paid about $50ish for both the testing and fill last time I had it done. That was a couple years ago... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 Go for it!! Once you have a pressurised cylinder you will never look back. I built an excellent system from a welding supply. The finite control is spectacular! I needed an adapter as the regulator was for - I think , NITROGEN GAS ?. I like, that with a customer owned bottle, I do not have to worry about inspection schedules. When it becomes empty I take it in for exchange, takes all of about five minutes. Is there a link with more info about building a c02 system from a welding supply? Sounds interesting. I never found the info from any one place, I just read on the various plant forums to get the equipment at welding supply shops. I had a welder friend of mine source out some of the equipment, but I didn't want to wait any longer for our schedules to cross, so I just bought the whole system at NC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
werner Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 Is there a link with more info about building a c02 system from a welding supply? Sounds interesting. This might help: Full Sized Pressurized CO2 Primer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewels Posted October 9, 2009 Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 Is there a link with more info about building a c02 system from a welding supply? Sounds interesting. www.praxair.com MIG/TIG flow regulator model # PRS23508 Brass cylinder adaptor model # PRS27108 ( this gets you CGA-320 to CGA 580 ) I have been thinking of getting a CO2 System as well and I am curious since you mention inspection schedules which I assume is on the tank itself and required by the company filling the tank? YESJust trying to get a full picture of what is involved in buying a system and tank and any hassles or difficulties etc involved with getting fills done. Disregarding the original purchase my visits to that establishment are never more than five minutes @ a time. In my head I am not there for a fill ; I slap the bottle on the counter , the dude runs to fetch a full one, takes my forty five bucks , I am on my way. I have yet to get the same bottle back , yet I own it ? Curious. Renting to me is a cash grab. If you are buying a cylinder it is because you are tired of DIY. That indicates that you are in for the long haul. Bite the bullet - buy the cylinder and never pay "rent" again Full tanks @ room temp. are about 975 (? Kpa?) units they stay there forever until ( like a Ford truck ) once it moves off full and begins to indacate less than full -- you are almost out of gas. When running 24/7 you have about a week left Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewels Posted October 9, 2009 Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 (edited) I forgets. . . You may need to puchase a ( male) barbed output to connect the flexible tubeing Get the regulator and output first , take the output to the Ag supply then buy tube to match. "How do I reduce the tubeing to the diffuser ?" you ask Take apart a "click " pen stuff the writing end in the standard aquarium sized tubeing- stuff the threaded end on the larger CO2 tubeingHey worked for me === how "techier" is that? Edited October 9, 2009 by jewels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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