20oz CO2 bottles

[jjkief86]

I have two 20oz paintball co2 cartridges and I want to use them for my tank. But I don't know what regulator to use.
The tanks have a pin in the opening that needs to be depressed to let co2 out. And I have not seen a regulator that depresses that yet.
I want to have a gauge, a solenoid and bubble counter.
I can build one if need be but I need to know the parts.
I'm looking to spend as little as possible. If it is too much I'll just set up yeast.
This is for a plant tank.

[jjkief86]

anyone?

[jjkief86]

no one?

[manderx]

look on plantedtank.net
there is some talk that paintball co2 might have a little oil in it on purpose to lubricate the gun.

[old salty]

There are no regulators that work with the paintball CO2 cartridges; or at least that I am aware of.

The yeast method is going to get old very quickly and is mediocre at best for the needs of a planted tank. The fluctuations of air temp in the room are going to impact CO2 production and there is no way to shut it off at night.

It's hard to bite the bullet and fork over the money for a regulator and a bottle of CO2; I am all too aware of this. Once I did, my tank has NEVER looked better!!

[xtm]

Red Sea makes a regulator to be used specifically for 20 oz Paintball bottles.

You can also retrofit a regular regulator with an adapter since paintball bottles are not CGA-320. (You don't want this route because you will end up spending more)

however, think about this.. it costs about $6 to refill a 20 oz bottle which lasts for maybe 4-6 weeks? while It costs $14 to fill up a regular 10LB bottle which will last you a good 12-18 months. You decide.

[RobbyG]

I am just a Tad less shocked than Old Salty that they actually make a regulator for paint ball bottles (Also thanks to Salty's speedy reply I avoided getting Foot in Mouth )

Back to the regulator
But look at that price! You would be better off just getting a real regulator and a 5lb cylinder.

[jjkief86]

yah thats what I came to.
$50 for a used 5lb tank, and $25 for a used co2 reg. w/ solenoid.
I guess I'm selling my bottles.

I did find fittings on a paintball site for $10. They were for filliing the tanks. But I'd still need all the solenoid and regulator stuff.

[old salty]

Learn something new every day; now I know that someone out there makes regulators for paintball CO2 bottles (scratching my head.) Of course the price of said regulator makes getting a standard one much easier.

[jjkief86]

yah. Red Sea. I guess it is an ok deal, but it looks cheap to me.
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...ct~RS2223.html
I thought it would have been cheaper to go smaller, I was wrong.

[xtm]

I have seen the Red Sea regulators in person (both Paintball and Regular) and I honestly don't recommend it. For one, the diffuser that's included is useless and will make tons of microbubbles all over your display. You want either a CO2 Reactor, a Ladder or a Rhinox (Ceramic). Also the knobs are plastic and the accessories look flimsy.

I have the Milwaukee regulator with built in solenoid, bubble counter and needle valve that I scored from my LFS for $75. I'm happy with it. I think JBJ and Azoo makes nice regulators too.

I *personally* would stay away from the Paintball stuff, esp. the Red Sea stuff. But that's just me..

[RobbyG]

Yep I would have never guessed. Looks like someone makes something for every nitch in the market.

Originally posted by old salty
Learn something new every day; now I know that someone out there makes regulators for paintball CO2 bottles (scratching my head.) Of course the price of said regulator makes getting a standard one much easier.

[jjkief86]

I'm in the proccess of finding a tank and regulator right now. I gave up all together with the 20oz bottles. But if I did want to go small and compact I could always go ADA.
http://www.adana-usa.com/index.php?m...products_id=15
Actualy not priced to bad. But those cartrages are $15 plus.