Bought a 20lb C02 tank off a private individual

[WVReefJunkie]

He claims they are full C02 cylinders, I did verify there is gas in the tank. Is there a way I could check the gas to verify it is C02 before I use it?

 

[eggplantparrot]

He claims they are full C02 cylinders, I did verify there is gas in the tank. Is there a way I could check the gas to verify it is C02 before I use it?

weigh it. it it's truly full then it should weigh around 20lbs + the actual weight of the cylinder

 

[eggplantparrot]

should be a bit under 50lb according to the google

 

[WVReefJunkie]

I was wondering there might be something else instead of C02, is there a way to check the cotents?

 

[WVReefJunkie]

It is a 20lb aluminum cylinder, supposedly full with C02. Paid $40 dollars for it

 

[eggplantparrot]

It is a 20lb aluminum cylinder, supposedly full with C02. Paid $40 dollars for it

if it weighs around 20lb now then it is empty...

 

[Devaji]

I believe most places will not fill CO2 bottles with other gas with out a label.
there are valves that can tell you how full the tank is. he should know what gas is in it, but if he does not or you dont trust maybe call the place he filled it can ask them this question.
there are Co2 detectors a compay prob. will have.

 

[WVReefJunkie]

He sounded kind of sketchy, said he got the tank from a Chinese guy. I may hook it to my calcium reactor and discharge the effluent into a container so I can monitor the ph level

 

[Devaji]

He sounded kind of sketchy, said he got the tank from a Chinese guy. I may hook it to my calcium reactor and discharge the effluent into a container so I can monitor the ph level

if in doubt I would get a professional option here. could be anytype of gas in there.
prob. is CO2 but you never know. at least call a place that fill them and ask I bet they have a simple solution for you.
I think it goes by the color of the tank they are not allowed to fill X gas in Y color. but IMHO I would ask and get it checked out.

 

[flyline]

Just empty the tank and take it to get refilled I don’t think it is much

 

[flyline]

Some places that refill tanks will just exchange them with a full one then you know for sure

 

[jlts21]

empty it and get it re-filled. It doesn't cost that much. Or take it somewhere that fills them, they will probably have a way to test it. Don't go to any place that does paintball CO2 (walmart, sporting goods, etc.) as some have oils in them

 

[ca1ore]

Hopefully you checked the expiration date on the tank.

 

[WVReefJunkie]

Hopefully you checked the expiration date on the tank.

I did not, I will go check. I guess because its food grade gas. I just weighed it though. 24.1 shell weight, weighed at 44 lbs.

 

[WVReefJunkie]

I did not, I will go check. I guess because its food grade gas. I just weighed it though. 24.1 shell weight, weighed at 44 lbs.

There is a shell date of 12-13 on the shell

 

[ca1ore]

As far as I recall, tanks are supposed to be inspected every 5 years. In most cases it doesn’t matter because the gas supply place usually just swap out the cylinder, but in the case of a very old one they may decline it.

 

[WVReefJunkie]

As far as I recall, tanks are supposed to be inspected every 5 years. In most cases it doesn’t matter because the gas supply place usually just swap out the cylinder, but in the case of a very old one they may decline it.

You are correct, the born on date of 2013. So would need hydrostatic testing done of the cylinder. I will probably just see if they will switch it out at some point. The tank is in really great shape.

 

[DaneGer21]

What was it used for previously? Grow rooms? Paintball? Reef related?

 

[ca1ore]

You are correct, the born on date of 2013. So would need hydrostatic testing done of the cylinder. I will probably just see if they will switch it out at some point. The tank is in really great shape.

ok, clearly you know what you’re doing .... I’ll butt out LOL.

 

[WVReefJunkie]

ok, clearly you know what you’re doing .... I’ll butt out LOL.

LOL, no your fine. I used to refill dry chemical fire extinguishers. They require the same type of testing on their cylinders too. Haven't messed with C02 gas though very much.