Question on pressurized CO2 parts

Phyroath

Phyroath

Senior knowledge seeker
Jan 30, 2008
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Phnom Penh
I am planning to have a pressurized CO2 system. Talking about pressurized, it is something that I can not afford for the one made specifically for aquarium but can I use alternative parts such as cooking gas tank? I got an extra 14 pounds small cooking gas tank.

I find various cheap China made pressure gauges and regulators at about $13 at my local hardware stores. What the different sellers told me was one for gas (welding), one for oxygen and one for air but when it came to my question which one for CO2 – they could not answer. Which one should I choose? Or all can not be used?




Sorry I absolutely have no idea thought I have read so many about the system. Appreciate your kind helps.
 
The bottom line with a pressurized system is that you get what you pay for. Unless find somebody practically giving one away(like I did for my first one), there is no way to spend less than $100.

That being said, on to your questions.

First off, by "cooking" tank I believe you are refering to a propane tank, correct? Gas cylinder's are made specifically for different kinds of gases. Corrosive gase cylinders, such as CO2, are made to a different standard than flammable gas cylinders. The most important difference for us is that they require different fittings, as in, they have different valves on top of the cylinder. CO2 cylinders require a CGA-320 connection, specified by the Compressed Gas Association. It's a safety feature and no gas supplier will refill a tank with any gas other than what the tank was made for. So, propane for propane, co2 for co2.


Next, you can build your own regulator, but without some kind of great deal on the components, it's more expensive to buy all the compenents and build your own if you are only building one. You can buy a new one for about $90, or you can hunt around on ebay and try to find one used for cheap. You can also use a beer regulator, but generally these have a preset downstream pressure, and therefore you have no control over it. Also, they do not have a needle valve, so you have no flow control.

Not trying to sound like a downer, but, unfortunately there's little way to get around the start-up cost of a pressurized sytem.
 
Hey Phyroath, No you cannot use a propane tank.
But, you can use a fire extinguisher. The key is whatever tank you use has to meet a minimum pressure test of 1200 psi. Plus be able to adapt a valve that can be used to refill the cylinder and adapt to a regulator. Actually welding tanks do qualify, but US laws and regulations limit us to Co2 only tanks. The valve (CGA320) jmhart mentioned is a US standard valve. Standards may be different in Cambodia. That you will have to research on your own. Good luck:)
 
FYI...
Redsea makes a co2 system that uses paintball gun co2 bottles.
They are small and can be refilled at most sporting goods stores, and the bottles are pretty cheap.
Might be a good place for you to start...
 
The Zigman said:
FYI...
Redsea makes a co2 system that uses paintball gun co2 bottles.
They are small and can be refilled at most sporting goods stores, and the bottles are pretty cheap.
Might be a good place for you to start...
Click to expand...

Can you get in more depth with that
 
The Zigman said:
FYI...
Redsea makes a co2 system that uses paintball gun co2 bottles.
They are small and can be refilled at most sporting goods stores, and the bottles are pretty cheap.
Might be a good place for you to start...
Click to expand...

If these are available in Cambodia, it wouldn't be practical IMO on tanks larger than 10gal.
 
Jmhart, Yep a propane gas tank. I see how it should be and I will not involve such risk. Fire extinguisher is pretty much the option available locally however I have no idea about the regulator fitting for Fire extinguisher. I would try and do my further rearch in my local hardware market. I am trying to begin another planted tank - the 65G one and as I read DIY one would only work great for small tank. I am not sure if I bother everyone too much - our issue here in Cambodia is knowledge.
 
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