Have a few questions on pressurized setup

[majerah1]

A very generous person gave me a great deal on a regulator and a bubble counter.While I decide the diffuser I want,I am also deciding on the CO2 tank.I have been thinking of going paintball,but I was told I need an adapter.Do I have to order one of those $20.00 ones or would something from Home Depot work?If it wont would someone explain why not?I just dont see the sense in spending twenty for something I could get cheaper,if that makes sense.

Thanks in advance!

[oldpunk]

By the time you get a paintball adapter and a paintball tank you could have bought a #5 tank. If you still want to go that route, you will not be able to find an adapter at any big box store. Unless you have a really great lfs near by, you'll have to order it online. I know aquariumplants.com has them as well as a few others I can't remember. I've seen them on ebay too.

The reason you won't be able to find one around town is because it's actually a highly specialized piece of equipment. You also do not want to 'jimmy' a connection to a tank with 900psi inside.

[majerah1]

Ah I see thanks!See I was thinking the adapter was just like what can be found with the copper piping at a hardware store.

I dont know where to find a 5# tank at,though I am looking for one.It would be easier.

[Left C]

You'll be better off in the long run to get as large of a CO2 canister that you can afford, handle and fit in the area where you want to put it. Here are some places that have them:

your local welding supply
http://www.aquariumplants.com/Alumin...isters_p/t.htm
http://www.beveragefactory.com/draft...anks/co2.shtml
ebay
many of the online fish stores carry them, especially the saltwater stores
Craig's list
for sale items on the forums

[majerah1]

I see!Thanks for the links.I have emailed a few local places and have asked in a local fish club if anyone has a spare they can part with.

I have learned so much this past two hours here,what a wonderful site!

[Left C]

Something that you need to know is very important .... it is where you get your CO2 refilled. What is their standard practice?
- some places will refill your tank, the very tank that you brought in
- some places will only swap out tanks as the have them shipped to a refilling station and then returned, they stock full tanks .... you would not want to take your brand new, shiny cylinder to place like this where they may swap it out with an old beat up one.

You can check out your Yellow Pages, call some of the places and ask them what they do.

[majerah1]

I was hoping to find a used one honestly.It will be hidden so no need to be shiny.

[Left C]

In my area, I can either swap them out of have them refilled. I bought my first one from a local welding supply/Victor dealer. It was around $70 filled and it was a 5 lbs cylinder. They swap them out. I bought some on ebay that were refurbished and look good plus they were cheap including the shipping. These are 20 lbs cylinders. They cost about $20 to have them refilled.

[majerah1]

Thats not too bad.My thing is space.How tall is a five pounder?Ive never actually seen a pressurized setup(sad,i know).Also the regulator I have seems small,but again like I said,never really seen one,haha!

Its an Azoo BTW.

[Left C]

The 5# at beverage Factory is 5.5" Diameter and 18.25" Height. AquariumPlants' is 5.25" Diameter and 17.5" Height. The specs for them are in the two links that I gave you above. Get a "S" series Swagelok metering valve or NV-55 Fabco needle valve or Ideal needle valve for the Azoo regulator. You will have to run it inline, I believe.