Where to buy CO2 tank?

[scuba_steveo]

Where is the best place to buy a CO2 tank for my calcium reactor? Any good place in north central SA?

[StephenA]

I got mine at a beer supply place in Austin, Also look for Airgas Inc.

[wkopplin]

I got mine at Welder's Supply on Bandera.

[technomex]

A-1 fire supplies. 281-Nakoma area. On sandau before taking the 281 overpass to Aquatic warehouse. Got one for my keg-orator.

[captexas]

Don't go to Natwels Welding Supply. I got mine there and ended up with a used steel tank for the price of a brand new aluminum tank. Wasn't happy with them.

[scuba_steveo]

thanks for the tips

[TAXMAN]

I'm selling mine after this weekend.

[wkopplin]

Welder's Supply has always been good to me.

[scuba_steveo]

OK, I need your help with this decision. I do not know anything about a CO2 tank other than I need one for my calcium reactor. I called Welder's Supply and I stopped by A-1 b/c its right here close to me.

Welder's supply sells new CO2 tanks and they do not fill them there. The new tanks sell for:
10 lbs - $84.52
20 lbs - $122.20
25 lbs - $188.20

If you take your new tank back to them to get a refill they take yours and give you back a used filled one. They do this because they do not fill tanks there.

A-1 only sells used tanks. They take the used tank and blast it clean and put new attachments on it. They will sell a used 20 lb tank for $55 filled. They do fill the tanks there. He did ask me if I wanted it filled with liquid or gas CO2. I said gas. I think thats right.

So what should I get? I think I am leaning towards a used 20 lbs tank refilled for 55 bucks. But is there any damage to the system that can be caused by a used tank? Please advise.

[RobertG]

Stevo, I would really think hard about a 20lb. tank. You will use very little if your reactor is effiecient. I have a 5 lb bottle. Refilled after the first fill 3 months later. It was not full either.

My point is you have essentially have a bomb sitting in your fishroom. I have heard of these bottles blowing a seal, imagine your ph after this happens in your little room. Really a 20lb bottle is alot of co2, do you have the room for something this big? I got my bottle from a brew supply here in town, next to Aquatek. It is a aluminum 5 lb. bottle. At first it was out of the stand so went with the aluminum. I paid 95.00 Dollars with about 3lbs of gas.

I would buy a new tank, you will have more knowledge of it. The bottles that are traded are filled over & over lots of times. The bottles can become old & seals could go faster, who knows! I would feel better about a bomb if I knew where it had been. :-D

just my .02$

[Ram_Puppy]

20 lbs bottles are huge too. I got one a while back and it won't fit under my tank... I am selling it to my bro-in-law as welding equipment.

[scuba_steveo]

I do have room next to my tank for a 20 lbs tank
New 10 lbs for $85 vs. Used, refurbished & tested 20 lbs for $55 ???
That tis the question

Why would you need to go with Aluminum?

[RobertG]

I went aluminum b/c it was outside the stand. They are ugly anyway, do you really need 20lbs. Your NuttZ! JMO! Sure would hate to see your ph drop into the 5 real quick, just guessing at 5 but if it leaks you are in for it. Poor 215G reef tank! Of course this would be the worst of luck! Have heard of it though. :( :-D

[scuba_steveo]

good point...so a brand new 10 pounder it is

[TexasState]

Get the biggest tank you could fit under your tank. The bigger the bottle, the less you'll have to drive with it in your vehicle to refill it. If you can afford it, buy another bottle and use it as back up when your other tank run out. For my 55 gallons planted tank, I have a 20 pounds bottle and a 3.5 pounds as a back up. Leave the bottle under your tank especially if you have kids. Get them new and find a refill place in town that would be willing to fill it your you on the spot. The beer supply shop next to AquaTek will refill your you. They don't fill with as much high pressure, but they also charge less. Get aluminum b/c they look shiny and pretty; and are less prone to rust. Those old metal bottle might have lubricant inside to prevent rusting, you don't want that to end up inside your tank.

[scuba_steveo]

ok i just called welder's supply
Aluminum 5lb = $85
Aluminum 10lb = $122

So an extra 37 bucks for twice the size.

[TexasState]

Fill that new 10 pounds aluminum up, and I'll trade you my used & filled 20 pounds aluminum. Let me know if you need a picture of it. I live on the third floor and are looking at reducing the weight load.

[RobertG]

Sounds good there. 122$ buck for a 10 lb aluminum cant beat that. Sure will be pretty looking! 20 just way to much!

Good Luck, keep that bottle upright! Drive Carefully! :-D

[StephenA]

I got my tank from the beer place next to Aquatek too. I got it for $75.00 (5lbs). They only put about 2lbs in it for $5. I've been taking to Airgass on Lamar, they fill while I wait and they pack it to 5+lbs for $7. It forms ice on it when they do it.

[TexasState]

Extra cost is not a factor anymore when you figure out it's cheaper per pound to fill a bigger bottle vs. a smaller one.


So an extra 37 bucks for twice the size.