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

[kwirky]

Originally Posted by Zylumn

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

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?

[Delphinus]

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.

[woodcarver]

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

[kwirky]

Originally Posted by woodcarver

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?

[Delphinus]

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

[kwirky]

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?

[Delphinus]

They have a manifold there? Sweet!

Don't worry dude, I'd be dreaming too.

I'll tell you one thing - if you have two cylinders anyhow, then at least you're not restricted to have the tanks "geographically" close to each other.

For some reason I don't seem to spill FW (but I spill SW like crazy). I don't know why, it's not like I try any differently. But anyhow, when we moved into our new house my wife banished my SW tanks to the basement in an effort to save her floors (the joke's on her though - we have two cats Carpet + Cats = "What the heck was I thinking??"). But anyhow, my FW tank wasn't banished. So I have that one upstairs. So splitting a tank wouldn't work for me anyhow. I am thinking of eventually going to use CO2 on my FW tank but I need to upgrade my lighting first. Anyhow, so having two cylinders isn't all bad. Plus, you can use one as a spare if you end up having to get another one refilled or whatever.