Reddit reviews Aluminum CO2 Paintball Tank
We found 20 Reddit comments about Aluminum CO2 Paintball Tank. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Lightweight DOT and TC certified aluminum 20oz CO2 cylinder Made in the USAFive year retest cycleexceed all industry standardsTank may be labeled Tippmann or EmpireTank must be filled prior to useNOTE: Date on the item is not the Expiration Date.
Two things:
One. That light is made for a refugium. A lot of people will say that it's "harsh" or "cold" - that's because it's not really made for humans to look at - it's not a "display light". It'll work just fine for growing plants (it'll work really well, actually), but it will lack a lot of the "warmer" colors that look good to human eyes. Finnex makes a few others that are comparable: Plantet+ 24/7 (adjustable colors/remote/timer), Ray (bright white light), Ray 2 (very powerful white light).
Ultimately the light you choose will depend on a few factors. What kinds of plants will you grow? How deep is the aquarium (more powerful lights are needed for deeper water columns)? Do you mind if the light is "harsh"?
Of those considerations, I'd put the most weight on the tank dimensions and the plant specifications. Trying to push light through 24 inches of water for a carpeting plant? You'll want a Ray 2. Have an 8-inch deep tank that you want to grow some swords in? Don't waste your money on anything fancy.
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Two. That CO2 kit is a money pit and here's why:
So let's say you spend 25 bucks on the kit plus 15 bucks for some cartridges. That's an upfront of 40 dollars with a 15 dollars per month in perpetuity. That means that one year of this kit will cost you $220.
Instead you could go for this paintball setup for the same price:
That build adds up to $205, will be WAY less work in the long run, much more stable, and simply easier to run. Also if you ever get sick of it and want your money back - it'll retain a lot of it's value. You could probably re-sell that whole set for 170-ish used. Also, that tank will last you a good few months before needing to be refilled.
CO2 can really help your tank flourish, but it takes a considerable buy-in. Go all the way or go home. Half-assing it to save money on sub-par equipment will just cause you headaches and a lot more money in the long run. I spent about 250 on my setup two years ago and haven't had to spend a PENNY on it since.
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PS: /u/Elhazar, are you really gonna go around using the little 2 in "CO₂" and pretend like it's nothing? Well aren't you fancy!
Regulator (it says not for aquarium use but it’s perfectly fine. Read the reviews, plenty of paid ole are using it for planted tanks.)
Hydroponics (Co2) Regulator Emitter System with Solenoid Valve Accurate and Easy to Adjust Flow Meter Made of High Quality Brass - Shorten up and Doub https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016NGH4M6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_y49oQQvbnDObI
Co2 tank
Aluminum CO2 Paintball Tank https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0008G2WAW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_WS6y6wpDabbwP
Co2 tank adapter
Interstate Pneumatics WRCO2-5A4 CO2 Paintball Tank CGA 320 Adapter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I2UMZ2Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_ygLvJnhVJyGBc
Have been running this setup for awhile now and don’t have any issues.
This is the nozzle I use.
The container I use is the JT 20 oz which I got from the local Dicks store but this Empire one on Amazon should also work.
The fluval CO2 system requires you to use disposable co2 canisters. The system comes in two sizes, 20 gram and 88 gram. Depending on the CO2 requirements of your plants, it could end up getting a tad expensive. You may be able to get away with it on such a small tank, but it the long run it may be cheaper to purchase a larger, refillable system.
Assuming you go with the 20 gram kit, which is recommended for up to 15gal. That's ~$28 + S&H. Assuming you are conservative with your CO2, You'll probably use 1 canister every 2 weeks. A 20 gram 3 pack is $14 + S&H. Over the course of a year you will spend ~$145 + S&H for CO2. Over 2 years, that number will be around ~$250 + a lot of S&H. Plus, if you decide to upgrade your tank, you'll also have to upgrade your CO2 system.
If you have the money to spend up front, you'll save yourself time and money in the long run. Get a 24oz Paintball CO2 tank from Amazon for $21. Get it filled at your local sporting goods store for ~$4. Get a diffuser from Amazon for ~$11. Then get a Paintball CO2 Regulator from GLA for $189. One fill up on your tank is equal to more than 34 20 gram canisters from Fluval and it only costs about $4 to refill, and if you have a Dicks Sporting Goods near you, 5th refill is free. Total cost is $221 + S&H, but that regulator is quality made and will last you years.
This is the set-up I use on my 7.5 gal and I'll be honest, after all other methods of "low cost" CO2 injection failed me and wasted my money, shelling out $200 for a regulator was quite painful, but this was the single best purchase I've ever made in my 20 years of keeping fish. So, if you can afford it, or can wait a bit and save some cash, it's worth it.
The simple fact that Fluval wants to charge you 13.99 for just over 2.1 ounces of CO2 when you can get a 24oz tank filled for $4 should make you question the purchase of their system.
It is a matter of the direction of tanks output. On a large tank with CGA-320 fittings the output on the tank points perpendicular to the tank, so when you put on the reg the bubble counter faces up. With a paintball tank the output points upwards, so the bubble counter will be parallel to the floor. As far as I understand, you don't want to leave a CO2 tank on its side because it is full of liquid that may leak into the regulator. This is true for regular CO2 tanks. Maybe there is a mechanism in paintball tanks that prevents leakage. I refuse to leave mine on their sides though.
Never heard of it. But here's the parts to do that.
Carbonation cap with fittings.
Mini CO2 regulator with adapter
Co2 Tank
Tubing
Hose clamps.
If you lock yourself into only purchasing these "kits" then I would just go head buy fluval as they're pretty much all around that range. Same thing with the replacement CO2 carts.
If you're really looking to save money in the long run, I would buy each part separate, they tend to be cheaper on amazon that way.
What you need is
Regulator
Co2 Tank (paintball tank is cheapest and easiest to fill locally)
Adaptor (only if you bough a paint ball co2 tank)
bubble counter and check value (pick it up at your LFS)
This is the set up I run at my 10 gallon dutch, I've had it for 2 months now and the PSI on the CO2 tank haven't dipped in the slightest. I'm estimating the CO2 to last me almost three months, (right now I'm about two months 1 week in since filling the co2 tank)
I also didn't fill it all the way.
Sure! I had started a thread here when I was buying my parts.
$10 Regulators from eBay? The ones I've seen have 1+ month shipping estimates... I'm so spoiled by Amazon.
How well would these items work?
I would like to jump in here and say that The_Golgothan is absolutely correct. I personally went down the road of Fluval CO2 system with their proprietary crap and over the course of about a year I spent an incredible amount of money. Then I went DIY CO2 but recently almost killed all my fish with a pressure spike that caused a rush of CO2 to pump into the water. Finally I did it right:
I bought this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SNCQ4WS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
With this: https://www.amazon.com/Tippmann-40020-Aluminum-Paintball-Tank/dp/B0008G2WAW/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=co2+tank+paintball&qid=1572994194&sr=8-1
I got the paintball canister filled at my local sporting goods store for $5.00.
It took about 10 minutes to setup and install in my tank. Fluval CO2 is highway robbery.
Honestly, and I mean this, don’t waste money on lower end systems. You’re going to go through system after system trying to dial in your CO2.
I’m not sure how many gallons your tank is but at least get a paintball sized tank and ball out on a regulator. Green leaf aquariums and CO2 art are both reputable companies and you’re going to save yourself A LOT of trouble by doing it right the first time.
Aluminum CO2 Paintball Tank https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0008G2WAW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hi0ZDbG95F8VW
https://greenleafaquariums.com/products/gla-gro-paintball-co2-regulator.html
Buy once, cry once.
Just got this setup, plants seem happy and its really easy to setup (first time planted tank here)
Tank Also available with a free refill (~$5) at dick's but its ~$27 there
Regulator
Tank to regulator adaptor
Total cost = $125
My tank is 135 gallons planted discus and community.
If you want, you can purchase a 20oz paintball tank, buy an adapter, drop checker, tubing and use that. Or you can just spend 300-400 for the actual machine.
My 20oz paintball tank has lasted me about 1.5 months before refilling.
http://www.amazon.com/U-P-Aqua-UA-148-Simple-Regulator/dp/B005VS1GD6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00
http://www.amazon.com/Interstate-Pneumatics-WRCO2-5A4-Paintball-Adapter/dp/B00I2UMZ2Q?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00
http://www.amazon.com/Pure-Energy-40020-Empire-20oz/dp/B0008G2WAW?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00
http://www.amazon.com/Aquatic-Glass-Drop-Checker-MONITOR/dp/B00OO2FUFK?ie=UTF8&keywords=drop%20checker&qid=1458869676&ref_=sr_1_4&sr=8-4
When I started I pieced together a kit from decently priced items. I bought a Tippmann A5, tank, remote, and mask for maybe $200 or so. It was a pretty good setup for starting out, IMO, and you can add all sorts of frivolous / helpful things to something like an A5 when you have some playing money.
I'd suggest the BT-4 Combat, just for starting out. I actually JUST bought one on ebay for $70. They're $80-$100 on Amazon. From what I've seen of it, it's pretty similar to the A5. Thehiddenhedgehog uses one to good effect on his youtube channel.
http://www.amazon.com/Empire-Paintball-Combat-Marker-Black/dp/B002Q8A88I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1457389411&sr=8-1&keywords=bt-4+combat
I like Empire tanks personally. I've used them since I started.
http://www.amazon.com/Pure-Energy-40020-Empire-20oz/dp/B0008G2WAW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1457389001&sr=8-1&keywords=paintball+c02+tank
This was my first mask. Took a .68 to the face my first game. Worked great! I've upgraded a few times since then, but I still have it and really like it.
http://www.amazon.com/US-Army-Ranger-Performance-Goggle/dp/B001TKP74E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1457389082&sr=8-1&keywords=us+army+paintball+mask
$87 marker + $22 tank + $26 mask = $135. Add whatever shipping would be and that leaves plenty of room for pods, a remote line, and any gear you might want (vest, camo, boots, gloves, etc).
Sorry to bog you with questions! I just started checking out GLA and I figured to use a paintball co2 tank you would need to use this regulator?:
http://greenleafaquariums.com/products/gla-gro-co2-regulator-paintball.html
with this paintball tank:?
http://www.amazon.com/Pure-Energy-40020-Empire-20oz/dp/B0008G2WAW/ref=lh_ni_t?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
I'm just a little paranoid about whether they'll fit together (i just bought an eheim filter and it's not fitting together well with these custom outflow/intake pipes i bought on ebay) thanks so much again!
I actually ordered everything individually from Amazon. I’m sure you could probably find everything locally as well but it was easier for a newbie like me to get it all from the same place.
Aluminum CO2 Paintball Tank https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0008G2WAW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_J3vBDbY97P8E0 - $22 ( + $5 to fill with CO2)
Aquarium CO2 Regulator with... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F7P8TL3?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share - $53
AQUATEK CO2 Paintball Tank CGA... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004M49QDC?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share - $12
aFe Power Magnum FORCE 54-11473... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N36MAO4?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share - $18
AQUATEK CO2-Proof Tubing 16 Feet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008UCOFJW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_z6vBDbMW07193 - $8
Century 24 Hour Plug-in... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MVFF59S?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share - $9
Aquarium Carbon Dioxide CO2... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C9DGXV0?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share - $11
Total: $148
Again, total newbie and this is the bare minimum of quality and price I was comfortable with. I plan on upgrading to a bigger tank and a better regulator in a few months. Do your own research too.
One thing I've seen over and over is that Dwarf Hairgrass needs pressurized CO2 in order to get an established carpet so you really might want to consider that. Our set-up consists of an AQUATEK CO2 Mini Regulator, 2 Empire 20oz CO2 Tanks (which are the same as what they use for paintball and very cheap to fill - and they last for months), a Reactor 100 diffuser (our Fluval broke...sucks), a Fluval 88g Bubble Counter, and a Fluval CO2 Indicator Kit. You'll need airline tubing too and a drop checker. It very simple to set up and use, if you'd ever consider it and your hairgrass would love you for it...but it really looks like everything in there is thriving so nicely!
Hairgrass also needs light so maybe cut back on whatever is blocking light from getting down to the hairgrass. If you do go with CO2, make sure you shut it off when your lights aren't on, since the plants can't use it without light and watch the indicator so you don't gas your tank and fauna. CO2 would also help regulate your pH, which your shrimp would love. Mine holds at a steady 6.8.
Maybe you could cut back your sword a bit and plant some of the runners in another tank, or if you don't have one, maybe you have a friend that would like some?
I think your tank looks great, a little jungly, but I bet the shrimp love that! Love your variety of Fauna!
Good luck!
I run the following. I spent countless hours researching and decided I didn't want a $100+ regulator. I went with 5 lb over a paintball setup because paintball tanks only hold 20 or 24 oz. If you're also taking cost into consideration a 5 lb tank also holds 5 x 16 oz = 80 oz = 4x the amount of CO2 capacity for 3x the price. In addition you don't need the adapter and it's easier to fill 5 lb tanks (at least in the bay area).
Total cost under $200.
Hmm, the light may be good. What kind of light is it? The regulator can be expensive. A whole paintball CO2 setup consist of: Paintball tank, regulator CO2 proof tubing and a diffuser keep in mind there are many varieties and versions of this equipment.
I know this isn't what you were asking for, but look into a paintball CO2 system.
The cost:
$20 for a 20oz empty CO2 tank on amazon
this is what I bought
you refill that shit for like $3-5 at any paintball store or welder etc.
you buy maybe $5 worth of odd junk from home depot, and you have a huge step up from the yeast CO2 bs (I used to do the same thing for 12 months).
In the end, this option was cheaper since I didn't burn through all of my yeast and sugar.
check out this thread for step by step directions or just msg me if you wanna look into it.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=115850