restaraunt-grade CO2 vs paintball-grade CO2?

[ericbullock]

The subject line should pretty much sum up my question. I called a local paintball shop to see if they did CO2 refills. They balked when I said I had a 5# tank and asked if I needed "restaraunt grade" or not. That's a new one to me! They explained that paintball-grade CO2 is "dirtier" and not filtered as much. Would this make a signifigant difference in a planted aquarium? I have a computer controlled solenoid, if that makes any difference.

Regards,
-eb-

[krisw]

Hi Eric,

I'm sure there is some difference, but I fill my 2.5lb tank at a paintball store in Laurel, and have never had any problems. No idea whether this would affect your solenoid, however. I just know that the results I get from the plants is good.

Surely, whatever the paintball store has is cleaner than Yeast CO2!


-Kris

[ericbullock]

Indeed! The only thing I'm worried about is the solenoid...but if its good enough for a paintball gun its probably good enough for the solenoid.

Thanks for the response...

-eb-

[Aaron]

FYI, paintballs stores will charge more than someplace like Roberts Oxygen that specialize in pressurized gases.

[Jamie G]

I second that statement !