CO2 questions

[exv152]

Need some feedback from those of you out there that have pressurized CO2 setups. I'm looking at getting a 10lb cylinder with regulator, electric solenoid and a bubble counter, and I'm wondering:

1) How long will a 10lb cylinder last on a 29 gal tank if it's run approx 10 hrs per day (while lights are on)?
2) Where to get the cylinder refilled locally?  I know of Davidson Fire Extinguishers, Paint Storm, Praxair and Pyromatek, but are there others out there, and what's the standard refill charge?

Thanks in advance.

[charlie]

(1) hard to tell, but my guess should be close to a year or a tad more, all depends on how much you are required to inject to satisfy your growth, on my 75 gln 20 lb was lasting about 7 mths & that`s with a lot of injection.
(2) I think that`s about it not sure about Paint Storm refilling large cyclinder & I think Praxair is only exchange if you rent the bottle from them but i don`t know for sure.
Regards

[pm]

I recently switched to a 10 lb tank.  I was using paintball before, and estimate that a 24 oz paintball tank lasted 3 months at 2 bps on a 33 gal (I manually turned it off most nights).  In a perfect world this would extrapolate to 20 months for a 10 lb tank.  My plant biomass and tank size (157L) has increased since then and I am probably looking at 3 bps now.  I expect the 10 lb tank to last a bit over a year.

[exv152]

Thanks for the info. Can't wait to get the ball rollin' on this project. I have the rimless starfire tank, the aquasoil, and I even have the fish quarantined (boxing day buy), just need to pruchase the CO2 system, build the ada-style stand and get a pendant light.

One other question, for those of you using pressurized CO2; how useful is a drop checker

[charlie]

Thanks for the info. Can't wait to get the ball rollin' on this project. I have the rimless starfire tank, the aquasoil, and I even have the fish quarantined (boxing day buy), just need to pruchase the CO2 system, build the ada-style stand and get a pendant light.

One other question, for those of you using pressurized CO2; how useful is a drop checker

Good reference point to start with & fine BPS after.
looking forward to your posting on this build
Regards

[exv152]

Good reference point to start with & fine BPS after.
looking forward to your posting on this build
Regards

Yes, I'm very much looking forward to it as well, since I just picked up some ohko stone.  Still a month or two away from setting up though. Thanks for the advice Charlie.

Eric