DIY: Paintball CO2 Setup

[androo303]

Good Afternoon All,

After about a month of looking high and low for the necessary parts, I have finally acquired them all (not to mention the right ones!). I am going write up a simple process of turning any paintball tank into a cheap CO2 provider for your fish tank (cause we all know we have siblings or children that have played Paintball).

Essential Parts:
1+ -  (a) Paintball Tank  - received 2 tanks from my brother who has given up the sport
1   -  (b) On/Off Valve for Paintball Tank  - eBay for about $7
1   -  (c) 1/8" NPT x 1/4" MIP - PrincessAuto for about $3
1   -  (d) 1/4" MIP x 1/8" FIP Pipe Hex Bushing  - HomeDepot for about $2
1   -  (e) 1/4" x 1/8" Tube/MIP Angle Needle Valve w\ Insert  - HomeDepot for about $6

Wow, thats a lot parts for under $20 but why do we need them all? Well let me tell you, I called numerous pipe/air/plumbing shops around the city and it seemed like the 1/8" NPT fitting on the out of the on/off valve was a special order or rarely used. So I had to think of a way around it as I wanted to set my CO2 up today! Essentially the parts (c) and (d) are only used to connect the needle valve (e) to the paintball tank on/off valve (b). Its a long way around, I know, but it works.

As for a step by step process it isn't very hard to figure out what to do as there is really only one way to connect the dots so to speak, but I have included what I did below.

You essentially have the parts go in this order: (a) > (b) > (c) > (d) > (e) > hose

I know this isn't much of a DIY, but I wanted to essentially share my knowledge of where to find the parts that will fit the on/off valve from eBay as its taken me about a month of so to actually get this up and going!

Note: It is imperative to use teflon tape on all connections. This tape will ensure a tight seal between the metal connections making it less likely to leak gas.

Image .....33.jpg : Shows the parts, from left to right it is (b) - (d) - (c) - (e)
Image .....53.jpg : Shows the parts connected together in proper order, (b) - (c) - (d) - (e)
Image .....52.jpg : Shows the system connected to the paintball tank.
Image .....14.jpg : Shows the system pressurized to about 900 PSI.

Next on my list of things to do is make a DIY bubble counter or just go an purchase one.

[pm]

Very Interesting.  I was just in the process researching doing one of these.  My concern is with the needle valve "tightening" over a 24-48 hour period and needing to be readjusted such as seems to be occurring with the Jaggedfury ones from the planted tank.

Is the HD needle valve rated for the psi of the co2 tank?

[androo303]

I am really unsure what the rating is of the needle valve, but it seems to holding quite strong (been running for 48hrs straight). Sadly it isn't a micro needle valve, but you can always build a double valve where it steps the pressure down.

I had it setup on the kitchen counter making bubbles in a glass (until i get a bubble counter), and it was doing approximately 38 BPM or 1.6 BPS.

The best thing i've figured out was to use a cloth in my hand and try to ever gently turn the valve up or down.

[androo303]

WOAH. Slow down baby.

Did a quick  water test (KH and pH) to do a quick look up on my CO2 output and it seems like i am upwards of 85-90 ppm! Wowza!

I had a 3 deg for KH and a ph of around 6....

I have since backed it off to see what happens in the next 24 hours.

I know i've been told to use a good system ($75+), but i like DIY and if it does work out I may have to go and purchase this stuff! YARG

[pm]

It has been a few weeks now, how is the DIY system holding up.  Any issues?

[androo303]

The system worked great! Sadly though, I havent had the chance to go get the tanks refilled (1 of my tanks were dead empty, and the other one had 900 psi left...) So i just need to get rehydrotested and refilled!

Other then that, i had the system in check within 7 days...

[magnosis]

Good stuff ! Thanks for posting this guide

[androo303]

It has been a few weeks now, how is the DIY system holding up.  Any issues?

Anytime. I figure i had to give back to the community some how!

[charlie]

Any updates on this project, i`m curious about the stability of the gas output.

[androo303]

Still no problems.

It takes a couple of days of constant monitoring, but usually comes dialed in quite well.

I am probably in need of a finer needle valve, but not in any hurry.