C02 tanks - How long until empty? - Aquarium Advice

mordred · 05-26-2008, 07:22 PM

I was hoping a few of you that have the larger planted tanks could offer some info on how long your tank of C02 lasts for you size of aquarium?

I have a 140 gallon aquarium and was hoping to re-use my 20oz paintball canister, but was unsure if the 2-5lb was a better route.

So far I am thinking the bigger tank would be better.

-S

neilanh · 05-26-2008, 07:31 PM

I'd go with at least a 5lb tank on a 140g, 10lb if you could swing it. I seem to refill my 5# every 3-4 months, running 3 tanks off of it. I just setup a 125 that's tapped in now, and don't expect it to last very long.

JustOneMore20 · 05-27-2008, 06:27 PM

I have a 20lb I use on my 29g and 40g and it lasts around 8 months. Used to have it on 3 tanks, so maybe now it will last a couple more months.

On that size tank, I'd get a 10lb or 20lb, personally.

Paintball size tanks are gonna last no time. You'll spend more money refilling them than you would on a 10lb tank IMO.

Glenc · 06-01-2008, 12:28 AM

I use a 20 lb tank on a 125 and a 75 with a 2 way manifold. I run the C02 24 hrs at around 2 bubbles per second in the 75, 3 bubbles per second in the 125. No solenoid. My 20 lb C02 tank is typically done in 4 months. If I ran a solenoid and shut the C02 down at lights off, the tank should last twice as long. In hindsite, I should have got the solenoid. Got to do that one of these days!

black hills tj · 06-01-2008, 12:41 AM

I'm planning on setting up a 75gallon this summer, and I'll be going with a 5# tank.

mordred · 06-01-2008, 02:17 AM

Hmm...sounds like the larger tank is the way to go. What's the cost of filling up a 10-20lb tank?

neilanh · 06-01-2008, 10:18 AM

IT costs me 21 to fill my 5# tank, not sure about a 10 tho

Glenc · 06-01-2008, 10:47 AM

30 dollars Canadian to fill my 20lb tank.

**Purrbox** · 06-01-2008, 01:07 PM

Generally it only costs a couple extra dollars to fill the next size up cylindar. I pay about $15 to fill my 5lb.

JustOneMore20 · 06-01-2008, 05:39 PM

I paid $18 or 20 to swap my 20lb. But when I got my own tank filled, it only cost about $12. I miss that place.

There is a place here that wanted $75 to fill a 20lb tank......ha, they are insane.

05-26-2008, 07:22 PM	#1
mordred Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 35	C02 tanks - How long until empty? I was hoping a few of you that have the larger planted tanks could offer some info on how long your tank of C02 lasts for you size of aquarium? I have a 140 gallon aquarium and was hoping to re-use my 20oz paintball canister, but was unsure if the 2-5lb was a better route. So far I am thinking the bigger tank would be better. -S

05-26-2008, 07:31 PM	#2
neilanh MTS Advocate Community Mentor Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 2,837 Images: 15	I'd go with at least a 5lb tank on a 140g, 10lb if you could swing it. I seem to refill my 5# every 3-4 months, running 3 tanks off of it. I just setup a 125 that's tapped in now, and don't expect it to last very long. __________________ ~Neilan In the DC Metro Area? Check out GWAPA Look, I have a My Info Page! Where's yours? Useful Links: Vote for AA, Nitrogen Cycle, Fishless Cycling, Articles, Acronym List

05-27-2008, 06:27 PM	#3
JustOneMore20 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: May 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 2,106 Images: 8	I have a 20lb I use on my 29g and 40g and it lasts around 8 months. Used to have it on 3 tanks, so maybe now it will last a couple more months. On that size tank, I'd get a 10lb or 20lb, personally. Paintball size tanks are gonna last no time. You'll spend more money refilling them than you would on a 10lb tank IMO. __________________ ~Kristin~ 5 planted tanks: 55g, 40g, 29g, 20g, 5.5g; 10g Shell Dwelling Cichlid tank, 5.5g fry tank My links to pics: My 40g breeder log, My tanks blog

06-01-2008, 12:28 AM	#4
Glenc Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,068	I use a 20 lb tank on a 125 and a 75 with a 2 way manifold. I run the C02 24 hrs at around 2 bubbles per second in the 75, 3 bubbles per second in the 125. No solenoid. My 20 lb C02 tank is typically done in 4 months. If I ran a solenoid and shut the C02 down at lights off, the tank should last twice as long. In hindsite, I should have got the solenoid. Got to do that one of these days! __________________ 125 gallon, Crypt green gecko, Crypt undulata "broad leaf" Lobelia cardinalis small and large form. H.corymbosa "compact" Crypt parva, Downoi, Bacopa. 2x 150 Wt 10000k HQI Metal Halide, 2x 65 Wt 6700k-Colourmax

06-01-2008, 12:41 AM	#5
black hills tj Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: black hills, south dakota Posts: 1,274	I'm planning on setting up a 75gallon this summer, and I'll be going with a 5# tank. __________________ Mike 29g Tank Log 20G Tank Log www.bhtj.net

06-01-2008, 02:17 AM	#6
mordred Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 35	Hmm...sounds like the larger tank is the way to go. What's the cost of filling up a 10-20lb tank?

06-01-2008, 10:18 AM	#7
neilanh MTS Advocate Community Mentor Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 2,837 Images: 15	IT costs me 21 to fill my 5# tank, not sure about a 10 tho __________________ ~Neilan In the DC Metro Area? Check out GWAPA Look, I have a My Info Page! Where's yours? Useful Links: Vote for AA, Nitrogen Cycle, Fishless Cycling, Articles, Acronym List

06-01-2008, 10:47 AM	#8
Glenc Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,068	30 dollars Canadian to fill my 20lb tank. __________________ 125 gallon, Crypt green gecko, Crypt undulata "broad leaf" Lobelia cardinalis small and large form. H.corymbosa "compact" Crypt parva, Downoi, Bacopa. 2x 150 Wt 10000k HQI Metal Halide, 2x 65 Wt 6700k-Colourmax

06-01-2008, 01:07 PM	#9
Purrbox Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Iowa USA Posts: 4,842	Generally it only costs a couple extra dollars to fill the next size up cylindar. I pay about $15 to fill my 5lb. __________________ ~Joy 10 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 5.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 2.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - Pico Planted Photo Log

06-01-2008, 05:39 PM	#10
JustOneMore20 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: May 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 2,106 Images: 8	I paid $18 or 20 to swap my 20lb. But when I got my own tank filled, it only cost about $12. I miss that place. There is a place here that wanted $75 to fill a 20lb tank......ha, they are insane. __________________ ~Kristin~ 5 planted tanks: 55g, 40g, 29g, 20g, 5.5g; 10g Shell Dwelling Cichlid tank, 5.5g fry tank My links to pics: My 40g breeder log, My tanks blog

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