Can an oxygen tank be revalved for use with C02?

mario8402 · 11/01/2007, 03:32 PM

Can an oxygen tank be revalved for use with C02? I can get these 2 tanks pretty cheap, but I was told ,and also noticed, that the valves appear to be different. I plan on using milwaukee regulator, sylenoid, and bubble counter.Anyone ever done this to these tanks?

mario8402 · 11/01/2007, 08:31 PM

ttt

BigEivlSquid · 11/01/2007, 08:37 PM

It would work mechanically. But no one would fill it. I'm sure its not legal to fill a cylinder marked for oxygen with CO2.

Coffman34 · 11/01/2007, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BigEivlSquid
It would work mechanically. But no one would fill it. I'm sure its not legal to fill a cylinder marked for oxygen with CO2.

You are correct. Due to the liability of someone filling the 02 tank with CO2 most places won't do it. Ever notice how the o2 tanks are always green. That is so someone can tell the diff. between them.

spscrackhead · 11/01/2007, 09:14 PM

PAINT THAT SUCKER!!!! lol

poppin_fresh · 11/01/2007, 09:25 PM

I would pass. I am not sure that O2 regulators can be interchanged with CO2. I'm also not sure that they are rated for the same pressures.

You should be able to get a CO2 tank from a local welding gas supply type place for the cost of the gas plus a "tank deposit". When empty you should be able to exchange it for a new tank like a gas grill cylinder. A lot less hassle than buying a tank IMO.

mario8402 · 11/02/2007, 06:49 AM

thanks guys.

to clear it up, the regulators and valves pictured above wouldnt be used. I would have them pulled, revalved, and then use the milwaukee regulator setup. It worked in my mind

tgunn · 11/02/2007, 06:57 AM

The CO2 tank for my calcium reactor is nothing more than an old CO2 fire extinguisher with a new valve on it:

mario8402 · 11/02/2007, 08:18 AM

hmm.. I dont see why this wouldnt work then. In fact, seems safer since it is using medical grade oxygen. I assume yours was cleaned inside thoroughly before they put the new valve on

tgunn · 11/02/2007, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mario8402
hmm.. I dont see why this wouldnt work then. In fact, seems safer since it is using medical grade oxygen. I assume yours was cleaned inside thoroughly before they put the new valve on

My tank was done at a fire and safety equipment place where they service fire extinguishers. I'd call around and see if there is anyone willing to make the change over and how much it'd cost.

They pressure tested and purged the tank before refilling it with CO2, but really there wasn't much that had to be done since it used to hold pure CO2 in it's days as a fire extinguisher.

In my case the valve was around $15. The tank was an old demo unit they had kicking around. Having family connections at the fire safety shop likely helped keep the costs down.

Tyler

woz9683 · 11/02/2007, 09:15 AM

It won't work because nobody's going to fill it, as several people have already said. Most places can't fill a tank for you on the spot anyway, they exchange tanks, and send the empty ones to a plant somewhere to be refilled.

H20ENG · 11/02/2007, 05:55 PM

Tgunn,
Whats the fill pressure on that tank? IIRC, extinguishers are only rated to 300psi or so, where a CO2 tank is rated at about 2000psi.

If you know someone at the shop and get it free, great. But for me, I'd rather go much longer between fillings.

Entropy · 11/02/2007, 07:50 PM

I answered you other thread, but to pad my post count...

I am pretty sure oxygen tanks have left hand threads which will not accept any other kind of regulator.

tgunn · 11/02/2007, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by H20ENG
Tgunn,
Whats the fill pressure on that tank? IIRC, extinguishers are only rated to 300psi or so, where a CO2 tank is rated at about 2000psi.

If you know someone at the shop and get it free, great. But for me, I'd rather go much longer between fillings.

The canister is from a 10lb extinguisher, and the regulator guage reads at 5 MPa (725 PSI) right now. It hasn't really budged since I started using it back in January. I have a VERY low calcium demand right now. So perhaps in the future I'll use more.

The tank was pressure tested and serviced before conversion.

Yup, free fill pretty much, so even if I have to fill more, I'm fine.

Tyler

H20ENG · 11/02/2007, 11:54 PM

Sweet!

speartheman · 11/09/2007, 12:29 PM

It can't be painted that is a epoxy coating that paint won't stick toYou will have to sand or grind it off

BeanAnimal · 11/09/2007, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Entropy
I answered you other thread, but to pad my post count...

I am pretty sure oxygen tanks have left hand threads which will not accept any other kind of regulator.

YUP kinda

Oxygen tanks are Right Handed Thread.

The valve assembly could be removed and an appropriate valve be put in place. However, as stated most shops will not touch this with a 10 foot pole. You will be much better off getting the right cylinder

11/01/2007, 03:32 PM	#1
mario8402 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 271	Can an oxygen tank be revalved for use with C02? Can an oxygen tank be revalved for use with C02? I can get these 2 tanks pretty cheap, but I was told ,and also noticed, that the valves appear to be different. I plan on using milwaukee regulator, sylenoid, and bubble counter.Anyone ever done this to these tanks?

11/01/2007, 09:14 PM	#5
spscrackhead Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Waddell AZ Posts: 696	PAINT THAT SUCKER!!!! lol __________________ hobby???? are you serious this is an ADDICTION

11/01/2007, 09:25 PM	#6
poppin_fresh Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,982	I would pass. I am not sure that O2 regulators can be interchanged with CO2. I'm also not sure that they are rated for the same pressures. You should be able to get a CO2 tank from a local welding gas supply type place for the cost of the gas plus a "tank deposit". When empty you should be able to exchange it for a new tank like a gas grill cylinder. A lot less hassle than buying a tank IMO. __________________ PBITAWA! Current Tank Info: None now. Past- 180g w/ 100g basement sump and 20g 'fuge. H & S skimmer, T'5s & Tunze

11/02/2007, 09:15 AM	#11
woz9683 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Jackson, MS Posts: 1,029	It won't work because nobody's going to fill it, as several people have already said. Most places can't fill a tank for you on the spot anyway, they exchange tanks, and send the empty ones to a plant somewhere to be refilled. __________________ Michael Current Tank Info: 195G (125G Display, 70G Sump)

11/02/2007, 07:50 PM	#13
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	I answered you other thread, but to pad my post count... I am pretty sure oxygen tanks have left hand threads which will not accept any other kind of regulator. __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

11/01/2007, 08:31 PM	#2
mario8402 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 271	ttt

11/01/2007, 08:37 PM	#3
BigEivlSquid Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dania Beach Fl Posts: 102	It would work mechanically. But no one would fill it. I'm sure its not legal to fill a cylinder marked for oxygen with CO2.

11/02/2007, 06:49 AM	#7
mario8402 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 271	thanks guys. to clear it up, the regulators and valves pictured above wouldnt be used. I would have them pulled, revalved, and then use the milwaukee regulator setup. It worked in my mind

11/02/2007, 06:57 AM	#8
tgunn Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Cupertino, CA USA Posts: 4,027	The CO2 tank for my calcium reactor is nothing more than an old CO2 fire extinguisher with a new valve on it:

11/02/2007, 08:18 AM	#9
mario8402 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 271	hmm.. I dont see why this wouldnt work then. In fact, seems safer since it is using medical grade oxygen. I assume yours was cleaned inside thoroughly before they put the new valve on

11/02/2007, 05:55 PM	#12
H20ENG Pro builder/aquarist hack Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: NORCAL (Vacaville, CA) Posts: 5,125	Tgunn, Whats the fill pressure on that tank? IIRC, extinguishers are only rated to 300psi or so, where a CO2 tank is rated at about 2000psi. If you know someone at the shop and get it free, great. But for me, I'd rather go much longer between fillings.

11/02/2007, 11:54 PM	#15
H20ENG Pro builder/aquarist hack Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: NORCAL (Vacaville, CA) Posts: 5,125	Sweet!

11/09/2007, 12:29 PM	#16
speartheman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pennsauken N.J. Posts: 78	It can't be painted that is a epoxy coating that paint won't stick toYou will have to sand or grind it off