I'm planning on purchasing my first a CO2 cylinder and regulator. My question is can my tubing be attached directly to the standard commercial regulator and go directly to the aquarium diffusor, or do I need some sort of step-down aparatus between the regulator and aquarium. Also, I have several aquariums and would like to use the same cylinder for all, so can I use the typical aquarium valves that we use for air-stones etc,to direct the CO2 to 3 aquariums.

Also, in the Montreal area I can't seem to find any place other than Praxair for my cylinders, and the smallest they provide is 20 pounds. Any idea how long a cylinder this size would last for a 65 gal. aquarium? And, if there's anyone from Montreal (or even Canada) on this forum, do you know of another location for a cylinder. I would preferably like to purchase a 5 pound cylinder that I keep instead of recyling a monstrous 20 pounder.

Last question: Would you suggest CO2 cylinders over carbo-plus?

You'll want a needle valve to step down from the regulator. It will give you much finer control over bubble rate. There are a few gang valves out there (I think one has 6 outlets). You'll have to get a needle valve for each tank you want to supply.


Try home brewing supply stores as an option. You should be able to find a 10 or 5 pound out there somewhere. A 5 should last 3-6 months depending on efficiency of your system.


Yes. Significantly cheaper in the long run.

I think a 20lb tank will last about 2-4 years for 65 gal.
Fire/Fire extingusher supply places have had the cheapest tanks, I got 20's for 65$USA filled. 10lbs were 45$.

BTW, you are nota limestone cutter are you?
If you ever get a chance to watch Breaking Away, that was filmed where I grew up and swam as a kid. My sister is even in it.


Regards,
Tom Barr

Thanks! Going to look into fire extinguisher companies. No, not a limestone cutter

I'm in Toronto, and I got a 5lb tank from camcarb, an industrial gas supplier. If I were to do it again, I'd probably get a 20lb (provided it would fit under my tank. That is because the hydroponics stores around me will swap it with a new tank, and it wouldn't run out as quick. My 75g was going through a 5lb tank every 4-6 months.

I found a fire extinguisher company here in Montreal that is able to get me a used 10 pound cylinder. They also fill it with CO2, so that's great. Next problem is the regulator. Fire extinguisher company does not sell it. The only regulator I can find is from one of the better LFS but is going for $240. It comes with a solinoid. I also need an adapter to use on mutiple tanks. I see you Americans can get great prices (about half) on regulators from the internet stores. I have a US P.O Box so shipping isn't a problem. (Will have to sneak it past customs at the border) My question is, are all these things standard so that I can be sure it will fit my cylinder, and, have any or you had experience with any internet store to tell me about their reliability? The one I've found with the best deals is www.CO2-cannisters.com

Thanks for the info thus far, you've been great.

ebay has cheap regs all the time, but many do not have the needel bvalves, but they 18$ or so from marinedepot.com etc and solenoids are also availabel on line if you want to DIY a reg set up.

I got a reg for 15$, a valve for 12$ and a solenoid for 8$.
Add some brass adaptors, I think it ran about 40$ total.
But no shipping etc included. Add another 20$ right there.

Regards,
Tom Barr

You can order online from http://jlaquatics.com, look under calcuim reactor parts for regulators, needle valves, solenoids, as well as an all-in-one unit. They're in BC, so you only need to pay GST+shipping, no border hassles with UPS.

If you know anyone in the paintball hobby, they rely on CO2 for their guns. My brother in law just happened to have a big tank and filled my fish tank one for free! His source? A buddy with a fire extinguisher business.