Tank Paintball
Co2 Paintball Tank Guide
As a referee, I often get a lot of questions from new players about CO2. I also encounter a lot of confusion of the pressure that a tank holds, the output pressure, and its relation to the secondary regulator. Rather than provide an advanced guide full of conversion formulas and science I wanted to provide a simple and easy to understand guide for newer users.
CO2 Basics
The modern CO2 tank is the staple of recballers and fields across the United States. The extensive use of CO2 along with the increased appearance of fill stations are retail outlets, along with its reasonable cost, makes it a choice for thousands of players. Understanding CO2 is essential to understanding your marker, potential upgrades, and your own safety when playing.
Remember, CO2 is a liquid and a gas, and your tank might be filled with a combination of the two at any given time. Please play responsibly and use a chronograph for casual play. CO2’s proneness to fluctuate in velocity makes it extremely important that you keep marker speeds in check!
When liquid CO2 enters the valve of your marker, it can cause erratic velocity spikes and damage o-rings. This is mostly characterized by pieces of CO2 “ice” coming out of the marker. This “ice” does not melt, but will sublimate (turn into a gaseous state immediately) and is very cold.
How do you avoid getting liquid into the marker? Many blowback guns come with angled ASAs to tip the marker backwards and help keep CO2 from going through the airline into the marker. You can take this even farther by holding your marker upside down, with the barrel pointing upwards. This keeps the liquid at the rear of the tank. An anti-siphon tube can be installed, which helps to only allow air into your marker. An expansion chamber or regulator can be purchased and installed on your marker as well.
What do you do if CO2 has entered the marker? Try holding it upside down and point your barrel toward the sky, at a sharp angle. Fire your marker around 10 times until the visible white jets decrease and you stop seeing “snow” exiting your barrel. Then just carry your marker upside down to prevent more CO2 from entering. You want to make this a practice, especially when playing “outlaw” ball. Since chronographs are (unfortunately) often overlooked, liquid CO2 usually raises the velocity of the ball substantially. A marker chronographed with air at around 290 Feet Per Second could chrono in at 315 when shooting liquid CO2.
CO2 Tanks
Disposable Air Sources
Some types of tanks are pre-filled with air by a machine and sealed, packaged, and marketed. They can only be used once and cannot be refilled. These can be purchased for pump play, casual play in remote areas, or as backups to your main tank. There has been some talk about ways to refill these tanks on message boards – DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS. Not only will it probably not work, you could severely injure yourself in the process.
12 grams – Used primarly for pump action markers. 12 gram cartridges were the successor of the 8 gram CO2 “Sparklet” bulb used extensively in the 1950s for carbonation machines. After airguns used 8 grams running special adaptors, Crosman came up with the legendary 12 gram powerlet. Powerlets held more air and also included a bit of lubricant for the gun. Since then, a few different types of 12 grams have been produced. They differ mainly in the cap construction (for example, Brass Eagle cartridges seem to have a thinner cap and are easier to pierce, while Crosman powerlets seem to have a thicker cap that seals with the pierce pin). Essentially however, all 12 grams are created equal. Because most paintball players think in terms of ounces instead of grams, each cartridge holds about .40 ounces of CO2. Some markers come with built in adaptors for use of cartridges (most pistols, the Brass Eagle Blade/Blade Turbo). All 12 gram adaptors are standard ASA threaded and can be used in conjunction with expansion chambers and regulators. Off certain guns, a 12 gram changer can be mounted vertically.
Large Disposables – These tanks are essentially a 12g cartridge on steroids. Large disposable tanks include the Crosman Airsource (88 grams, about 3 ounces), the Pure Energy Spare Air (4 ounces), and 45 gram cartridges (primarily for use with the Real Action Marker series). The tank is pierced by a pierce pin and this may be connected to an ASA adaptor to mount to the marker. Make sure that the adaptor is properly set up before piercing the disposable bottle, or else all of the CO2 will escape and will leave you with a non-functional, cold cylinder of metal. Also keep in mind that these bottles do not hold much air, and so they should only be used with pump guns or in emergencies. The 4 ounce Spare Air, for example, may only get around 180 or less shots on a standard blowback marker.
Pin Valve Tanks
These are the mainstay of the paintball industry. They are simple, easy to maintain, quick to fill, and very common. They can be equipped with anti siphon tubes and on/off dials. They also come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Unlike HPA tanks whose size is measured on cubic inches of space and pounds per square inch the tank can hold, a CO2 tank’s size is referred to by the amount of CO2 (the combination of liquid and air) that the tank is designed to hold. The smallest refillable CO2 cylinder available for paintball use holds 30 grams. The largest common tanks hold around 20 ounces. As a result, some tanks that hold the same amount of CO2 can be different sizes. For example, some 9 ounce CO2 tanks are long and narrow, while others look like smaller versions of 12 ounce tanks in the interest of comfort.
When you go to get your tank filled, remember that the fill operator cannot “top off” your tank – its entire contents need to be dumped so that the tank is chilled, and then it is filled. (Technically, a tank can be “topped off” if it can be frozen and if the exact weight of the tank is known but this would take time and is impractical) If you haven’t played a lot of games with a tank, use up more of the air it contains before getting a fill. However if you’re not sure, it’s always best to fill the tank completely.**
Which type of tank you want to buy is up to you. Keep in mind the length, weight, and approximately how many shots you can get out of your tank when you look to purchase a tank. There’s no way to tell how many shots you can get off any given tank, because of tons of factors (the type of gun, the amount the fill operator filled the tank to, outside temperature, secondary regulation) but here are a few LOOSE generalizations.
4 Ounce – 150 to 200 shots
9 Ounce – 450 to 500 shots
12 Ounce – 500 to 600 shots
20 ounce – 600 to 650 shots
Be extremely careful when buying used CO2 tanks! A tank might appear fine on the outside but the internal o-rings could be damaged. Certain CO2 tanks also must go through hydrotesting periodically, an essential safety procedure that tests the integrity of your tank. Using an old tank and trying to “risk it” might seem economical, but safety is not something that can be purchased.
Tank Safety
Paintball is a very safe sport when the rules and regulations of the game and equipment are adhered to. A butcher’s cleaver could maim or kill, but he knows how to responsibly use it for its purpose. You have the same responsibility to understand and exercise safety with your tank.
If your tank is larger than 9 ounces, it will need to be hydrotested periodically. Hydrotesting ensures that the integrity of your tank has stayed the same and that it can still be filled. However, this service is reasonably expensive and it might be more economical to simply buy a new tank. Do not try to fill or use any tanks that are damaged, including deep scratches and gauges. Most importantly, pay attention when unscrewing your CO2 tank from your gun or remote line and always allow a professional to install new parts to your tank If you ever notice that the tank (black part) itself is unscrewing from the valve (brass part), STOP IMMEDIATELY. Put the marker down and inform a field staff member immediately. Unscrewing a pressurized tank from the valve can create, essentially, a small missle. There have unfortunately been accidents where tanks have come unscrewed from valves and killed people. These incidents are extremely rare, but vigilance on the part of players can potentially save lives.
Do not install additions to your CO2 tank as a new player. The results can be fatal.
Taking Care of Your Tank
Your tank is your investment – take care of it! Replace the tank o-ring as soon as you notice any frayed rubber, cracks, or warping. Lightly oil your o-ring as basic maintenance. Buying a thread-saver cap which screws onto the top of the tank is also a good way of keeping your threads safe. Never force a tank in or out of a gun: crossthreading your tank into your ASA will be a costly repair. Do not keep your tank next to a boiler or heater – the CO2 can expand in the tank when exposed to heat and could cause a problem as well as a safety hazard. Make sure that any tank that has had something installed on it (like anti siphon tubes, on/off switches, and new valves) is loctited and sits for at least one day before being used, as the thread locking agent has to set. A small sticker on part of your tank may be helpful in telling which tank is yours if you keep your tank among friends, but do not put any scratches into the tank. Keep a supply of bottle o-rings and gun oil and replace your tank o-ring whenever it appears cracked or damaged. Small tank leaks can sometimes be fixed with a bit of oil spread over the o-ring or into the pin valve.
Despite the fact that HPA is continuing to push into the recball market, CO2 is still one of the most comfortable and practical air systems for blowback and pump marker users. Understanding your CO2 tank will save you money and time, giving you more time to focus on what’s important – playing the game!
About the Author
There’s a
Paintball Site
that gives away a bunch of quality paintball tips for free. If you are into paintball, you need to check out this
Free Paintball Guide
Tank Paintball Gun
|
|
AGD MINIMAG Paintball Gun w/ VL 200 Loader and Tank $79.00 |
|
|
Benchmark Paintball Marker 68 Automatic Classic Custom Luxfer C02 Tank *WOW* $59.87 |
|
|
New Exalt Paintball 45-88ci 47 48 68 3k 4500 Tank Grip Bottle Cover – Red/Black $15.95 |
|
|
New Exalt Paintball 45-88ci 47 48 68 3k 4500 Tank Grip Bottle Cover – Lime/Black $15.95 |
|
|
USED SCUBA FILL STATION FOR FILLING PAINTBALL TANKS $20.00 |
|
|
New Exalt Paintball Tank Grip Bottle Cover – Black/Grey – 45 & 50ci 3k 4.5k 4500 $24.95 |
|
|
New Exalt Paintball Tank Grip Bottle Cover – Red/Black – 45 & 50ci 3k 4.5k 4500 $24.95 |
|
|
orion paintball marker,2 extra barrels,9 oz co2 tank,20 oz co2 tank,mask $75.00 |
|
|
Tippmann ALPHA BLACK paintball gun marker W/ Proto Hopper Jt tank PACKAGE $139.95 |
|
|
Pure Energy carbon fiber compressed air paintball tank, 4500psi 68cu $0.01 Bid! $65.00 |
|
|
24oz Co2 TANK FOR PAINTBALL MARKER-BNIB $24.95 |
|
|
PURE ENERGY 20oz Co2 TANK FOR PAINTBALL MARKER-BNIB $14.95 |
|
|
PURE ENERGY 16oz Co2 TANK FOR PAINTBALL MARKER-BNIB $13.95 |
|
|
PURE ENERGY 12oz Co2 TANK FOR PAINTBALL MARKER-BNIB $13.50 |
|
|
PURE ENERGY 9oz Co2 TANK FOR PAINTBALL MARKER-BNIB $12.95 |
|
|
Used PMI Piranha Paintball Field Marker CO2 Tank Gun $34.95 |
|
|
Smart Parts Anti Syphon Siphon Kit For Paintball CO2 Tank Cylinder Free Shipping $9.95 |
|
|
NEW 20 oz Ounce CO2 Paintball Gun Air Tank Tanks 4 PACK + Tank Case $84.95 |
|
|
Paintball Scuba Fill Station HPA tank fill Adapter Red $20.50 |
|
|
Nitro Duck Carbon Fiber 4500psi Tank Paintball Tank $70.00 |
|
|
2 PACK PaintBall Tanks 9oz SPYDER High Pressure Aluminum Cylinders EMPTY $32.00 |
|
|
Spyder TL-R paintball marker, 14.5 Inch barrel, with 20oz CO2 tank $56.00 |
|
|
WGP paintball marker gun with co2 tank and cover and carrying case. $49.00 |
|
|
100 Paintball CO2 Tank O-Rings HPA O Rings 90 Duro $5.25 |
|
|
VL TRIAD PAINTBALL MARKER GUN w/ 1 X 20oz and 2 X 9oz CO2 TANKS $69.99 |
|
|
Smart Parts Ion Paintball Marker + 50ci 3000psi Air Tank/ Electronic Hopper NR $71.00 |
|
|
CROSSFIRE HYDRO TANK/ EMPIRE CASE FOR PAINTBALL FOR PAINTBALL MARKER = $19.99 |
|
|
4500psi 88ci N2 Tank for Paintball Markers $109.99 |
|
|
Guerrilla Air 48ci 3000 PSI Nitro MYTH Paintball Tank $44.95 |
|
|
Scuba Refill Station Paintball Gun Compressed Air Tank $10.77 |
|
|
New Exalt Paintball Tank Grip Cover – Black $16.00 |
|
|
New Exalt Paintball Tank Grip Cover – White $16.00 |
|
|
New Exalt Paintball Tank Grip Cover – Red $16.00 |
|
|
New Exalt Paintball Tank Grip Cover – Lime $16.00 |
|
|
PAINTBALL GUN 5 oz/ 3000 psi TANK BUTTSTOCK – comes in multiple colors!!! $42.95 |
|
|
G7 HPA paintball tank regulator fill nipple and Cap Cover NEW P/N 1006 $3.99 |
|
|
T68 PAINTBALL GUN 5 oz/ 13 ci/ 17 ci TANK BLACK BUTTSTOCK $42.95 |
|
|
Proto paintball gun with DXS tank $177.50 |
|
|
NINJA TANK 62/3000 Paint ball tank $20.50 |
|
|
New Paintball Gun CO2 AIR Tank Urethane O-rings O rings – 50 pcs $6.99 |
|
|
Upgraded Spyder Fenix Paintball Gun W/ 2 20 Oz Co2 tanks $80.00 |
|
|
CO2 PROFESSIONAL FILL STATION FOR PAINTBALL TANKS $39.99 |
|
|
Carleton 3000psi Paintball Tank W/ Crossfire Reg $65.00 |
|
|
PAINTBALL METAL CO2 / COMPRESSED AIR TANK THREAD SAVER CAP PROTECTOR ( QTY 5) $12.25 |
|
|
PAINTBALL METAL CO2 / COMPRESSED AIR TANK THREAD SAVER CAP DUST BLACK PROTECTOR $4.75 |
|
|
NEW 9 oz Ounce CO2 Paintball Gun Air Tank Tanks 4 PACK + Tank Case +PRIORITY $79.95 |
|
|
Set NEW 20 oz Ounce CO2 Paintball Gun Air Tank Tanks 6 Pack + Tank Case $114.95 |
|
|
Set NEW 9oz Ounce CO2 Paintball Gun Air Tank Tanks 6 Pack + Tank Case $99.95 |
|
|
dye proto paintball gun, halo hopper, ninja air tank 3000psi $150.00 |
|
|
Scuba Fill Station Paintball HPA tank fill Adapter Blk $19.99 |
|
|
Exalt Tank Grip – Fits All HPA Tanks – Lime/Black – Paintball – NEW $15.95 |
|
|
PMI Black Paintball Harness 4+Tank Pouch and Tanks $18.00 |
|
|
Paintball PCP airguns Scuba tank Fill station 4500psi $16.99 |
|
|
Viewloader Triton II Paintball Marker Bundle, 2 90z C02 tanks, 3 hoppers, mask $50.00 |
|
|
Dovetail Cradle And Rail System Paintball Compressed Air N2 Tank Mount USED $5.99 |
|
|
2011 Tippmann A5 HE EGRIP Electronic Paintball Gun Empire N2/HPA Tank Set Pack $304.99 |
|
|
New Exalt Paintball 45-88ci 47 48 68 3k 4500 Tank Grip Bottle Cover Black/White $15.95 |
|
|
Invert Mini Olive / Black Paintball Gun and Pure Energy 4500 PSI Co2 Tank $429.95 |
|
|
Smart Parts Max Flo Nitrogen Paintball Tank 68/4500 psi with Dye Rhino Cover $56.00 |
|
|
XCEL PAINTBALL GUN BARREL14 IN AND A 9 OZ CO2 TANK $9.99 |
|
|
Tippmann A5 Paintball Marker W/ HOPPER AND 9 OZ AIR TANK NR 14 DAY RETURN $89.00 |
|
|
New Bandolier 4+1 Pack Paintball Tank+Pod Holder Black $21.92 |
|
|
RAP4 HPA 3000psi Paintball Tank $64.99 |
|
|
autococker paintball electric trigger with 3000psi pure energy tank $175.00 |
|
|
40 Paintball Co2 Tank O-rings – 90 DURO O- Rings $2.75 |
|
|
Spyder Imagine Paintball Marker w/ electronic hopper and tank $20.50 |
|
|
20 12 And 7 Ounce Co2 Tank Paintball $20.00 |
|
|
88/4500 Pure energy HPA carbon fiber paintball tank Fresh Hydro! $107.50 |
|
|
Carleton 70/4500 (stubby) HPA carbon fiber paintball tank FRESH HYDRO! $99.99 |
|
|
Big Lot Paintball Stuff Mask Vest Gun Case Tank Misc $32.00 |
|
|
TWO – Spyder Victor Paintball Guns, TWO-Masks, Hoppers, Holster, CO2 Tanks $65.00 |
|
|
NEW TIPPMANN ARMY PROJECT SALVO PAINTBALL GUN/CO2 TANK $165.95 |
|
|
Paintball Gun Macroline Macro Line Drop Forward Tank Adapter Hose Kit and Elbow $13.95 |
|
|
NEW TIPPMANN PROJECT SALVO EGRIP PAINTBALL GUN/CO2 TANK $249.00 |
|
|
JAVA SPYDER XTRA PAINTBALL MARKER WITH ACCESSORIES TANK AND MORE $10.00 |
|
|
NEW TIPPMANN PROJECT SALVO PAINTBALL GUN+CYCLONE+TANK $225.00 |
|
|
NEW Real Tree Camouflage paintball tank cover realtree camo $11.75 |
|
|
NEW HPA 62/3000psi N2 Compressed Air Paintball Tank $57.95 |
|
|
Smartparts Vibe Paintball Gun, HPA Tank, CO2 Tank, and mask $99.99 |
|
|
New! 5 Paintball Tank Thread Saver Protector Silver FREE SHIP! $12.09 |
|
|
New! 3 Aluminum Paintball Tank Thread Protectors RED np $5.81 |
|
|
Guerrilla Air N2 HPA 48/3000 Paintball Tank (Ninja, Pure Energy, Dye, Rotor) $30.00 |
|
|
NEW Myth 48/3000psi N2 Compressed Air Paintball Tank $49.95 |
|
|
Guerrilla Air Machete Paintball Tank Angled ASA Adapter $19.95 |
|
|
Guerrilla Air 48ci N2 Carbon Fiber Tank Cover Paintball – 3365 $26.95 |
|
|
PAINTBALL BT Bandolier 6+1 Pod Tank Pack Harness Black – 1005 $33.50 |
|
|
New Paintball Scuba Fill Station HPA tank fill Adapter $14.77 |
|
|
5 pk Paintball Tank O-Rings Buna/Nitrile-90 Duro ORings $0.99 |
|
|
WGP Autococker Paintball Marker w/ 2 PURE ENERGY TANKS $66.00 |
|
|
Black Spyder TL plus Paintball Marker + Lapco Bigshot Barrel + 20oz CO2 tank $29.00 |
|
|
Paintball Scuba Fill Station HPA tank fill Adapter Red $14.77 |
|
|
PURE ENERGY 20oz Co2 TANK FOR PAINTBALL MARKER $2.00 |
|
|
New CMI Tank Dual CO2 Fill Station paintball 2 valve $39.99 |
|
|
New paintball CO2 Tank On/Off Pin Valve $7.59 |
|
|
Maurader Paint ball gun Paintball gun with tank $15.99 |
|
|
Paintball CO2/AIR Tank Urethane O-rings O rings 50PCS $0.99 |
|
|
Paintball HPA tank fill Adapter Blk Scuba Fill Station $15.19 |
|
|
Paintball CO2/AIR Tank Urethane O-rings O rings 10PCS $3.99 |
|
|
Paintball CO2/AIR Tank Urethane O-rings O rings 50PCS $8.99 |
|
|
Empire TW Bottle Glove Paintball Tank Cover Fits 48ci & 20oz Co2 Tank – Black $24.95 |
