Where to get a CO2 tank for less than $160?
 

Anyone know where to get a CO2 tank for less than $160? That's J&L's price, and the price from the local welding suppliers. I saw some tanks for $60 USD new on a few american sites, but they don't ship to canada

Could try calling The Recharge Centre (local) and find out what they have in used tanks. A 20lb tank would be handy if you have the space.

I have one I'm not using we could do a coral swap or something.

A coral swap for a cylinder sounds like an awesome deal.

Nevertheless, just for general reference in case anyone ELSE is reading this one day and wonders the same thing, I'll second Kari's suggestion of the Recharge Center. I got a 10lb refurbished cylinder from them about a year ago for $80, which included a new hydrostat certification AND fill. They might have 10, 15, 20 lb'ers, just call them and ask what they've got. If they've got nothing, wait a week or two and try again.

They are also the place I get my cylinders refilled. I used to go to Sprouse Fire for this but Recharge Center is *way* more convenient for me to get to, and slightly cheaper, and faster (usually turnaround is a day whereas it's been several days at Sprouse).

I've got mainly softies I could frag up. Finger leather and toadstool. I could buy it off you if you weren't interested in those.

Can one co2 canister be split between two tanks? I wanted to use it both for a calcium reactor on my 120g reef and for co2 injection on my 20g planted tank I just started up. The planted tank would be using a controller, so it'd be turning on and off. Would that affect the calcium reactor? I'm thinking running the two tanks off the one would save $$ because the 20g planted tank would require very little co2 compared to the calcium reactor I think.

How would I hook two needle valves and bubble counters to the one tank?

I have long and hard thought about this. I'm convinced it's possible, but it's very VERY tricky.

IMO, #1 issue for splitting a CO2 tank is independent volume control for each output.

The best way to do this, I think, is to split the output before the regulator, and then have 2 regulators, each with their own needle valve and bubble counter.

Problem is I haven't found the parts to do this. I haven't looked that hard yet, but I haven't found any plumbing fittings with the correct threading for CO2 lines. They might be out there, they might not, I don't know.

The other way is just basically have two needle valves after a splitter and then just fiddle with them until you have close to the desired flowrates. Problem is if you adjust one, you inadvertently adjust the other.

Good luck! If you figure out a way let us know.

http://www.aquariumplants.com/product_p/t.htm
Item# Item Name Our Price Qty Add
T2.5E Aluminum Co2 Cylinders(new)(2.5 lbs empty) CAD56.49
T10E Aluminum Co2 Cylinders (new)(10 lbs)(empty) CAD79.09
T10F Aluminum Co2 Cylinders (new)(10 lbs)(full) CAD112.99
T2.5F Aluminum Co2 Cylinders (new)(2.5 lbs)(full) CAD90.39
T20E Aluminum Co2 Cylinders (new)(20 lbs)(empty) CAD101.69
T20F Aluminum Co2 Cylinders (new)(20 lbs)(full) CAD141.24
T5E Aluminum Co2 Cylinders (new)(5 lbs)(empty) CAD56.49
T5F Aluminum Co2 Cylinders (new)(5 lbs)(full) CAD90.39
T50E Aluminum Co2 Cylinders (new)(50 lbs)(empty) CAD271

These prices seem pretty good and they ship to Canada $35.90 delivery



...................Dave

thanks dave. I found aquariumplants.com last night and realized I could split it before the regulators. I'm wondering though will the bubble count change for either output when either turns on or off?

No, it shouldn't if you split it before the regulators - that's what I was getting at. After the regulators, yes.

well since I'll have to buy two regulators any ways, I think I'll just get one CO2 tank, and when I need the second one, I'll just buy another, instead of going through the hassle of splitting it.

If I had like 6 tanks requiring CO2, and none of them needing a controller, I'd consider a CO2 manifold from aquariumplants.com, but I'd be dreaming, wouldn't I? :biggrin: