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Paintball CO2 Tank: Nitro And Crossfire
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Published: August 2, 2007
Even for casual players, the game of paintball enables them to fulfill basic survival instincts. Although it requires many of the same qualities needed to triumph in other games—patience, resilience and teamwork—paintball is unique in that it provides opponents a safe, acceptable outlet to engage their predatory instincts. In order to survive in this game, competitors must have the proper paintball tank.
Paintball connoisseurs have two options available when purchasing paintball pressures systems for their guns; one possibility is the carbon dioxide tank The concept for using carbon dioxide as a paintball propellant source was first adapted from BB and pellet guns which used small pressure bottles to expel their ammo. Instead of the small 12-gram gas bottles pellet guns used, paintball guns use much larger vessels, containing as much as 40 grams of carbon dioxide. CO2 is non-toxic and taken directly from the atmosphere.
Players should weigh the pros and cons of each pressure system to determine the right paintball tank for them. The advantage of carbon dioxide is even when using low pressures, a large amount of gas can still be stored. Carbon dioxide is a very dense gas which means players get a lot of power with only a small amount. Carbon dioxide paintball tanks work best between 800 and 1200 psi.
The disadvantage of having a carbon dioxide paintball tank is this chemical can exist as a solid, liquid or gas all at the same time. Having any combination of carbon dioxide forms inside the gun will result in sporadic paintball speeds and shooting inaccuracies. Also, if the outside temperature is below 50 degrees F, some guns may freeze. When using a carbon dioxide paintball tank, the colder the temperature, the less power the gun will have. Some carbon dioxide paintball tanks are manufactured specifically for liquid carbon dioxide so be sure to purchase the right kind.
The second alternative in paintball tanks is the high-pressure air (HPA) system. HPA paintball tanks use normal air or pure nitrogen as its source propellant. This chemical differs from carbon dioxide in that it exists only as a gas. As a result, an HPA system is much more appropriate for colder environments and its consistent pressure allows for more accurate shooting. However, this gas does not have as much power as carbon dioxide; therefore it must be stored at higher pressures than carbon dioxide in order to work properly. Most importantly, HPA paintball tanks should not be used in small areas such as inside the house or in a small yard because the paintballs may hurt other players at such a close range.
Finding the right paintball tank not only depends on the size and temperature of the playing field, but it depends also on the type of player you are. High pressured paintball tanks are mostly made for professional tournament players who rely on paintball accuracy and reliability. However, for the beginning or casual contestant, carbon dioxide paintball tanks are a much cheaper alternative. For instance, on anythingxtreme.com a tournament level Crossfire 45/4500 High Pressure Tank costs $179.99 whereas a Pure Energy 20 oz carbon dioxide bottle is priced at only $19.99. Prices do vary between manufacturers.
Safety is an important element of paintball. Regardless of the type of paintball tank an individual utilizes, it must always be depressurized when not in use. Despite their reputation, HPA tanks are very safe. They were manufactured to meet strict military criteria and should not explode.
Paintball tanks are available for novice and experienced players alike. With the appropriate paintball tank, competitors can play at their full potential while enjoying the benefits of exercising their survival instincts safely.
Sources:
Air Tanks and Accessories. Xtreme Paintball. 1990-2007. 29 July 2007. http://www.anythingxtreme.com/Air-Tanks-Accessorie s-C1389.aspx.
Braun, Jerry, et al. The Complete Guide to Paintball. 2nd edition. Long Island: Hatherleigh, 2003.
"All About Paintball Guns . . . " Paintball-Tips-And-Tricks.com. 2004-2007. 24 July 2007. http://www.paintball-tips-and-tricks.com/paintball -guns.html.
Paintball connoisseurs have two options available when purchasing paintball pressures systems for their guns; one possibility is the carbon dioxide tank The concept for using carbon dioxide as a paintball propellant source was first adapted from BB and pellet guns which used small pressure bottles to expel their ammo. Instead of the small 12-gram gas bottles pellet guns used, paintball guns use much larger vessels, containing as much as 40 grams of carbon dioxide. CO2 is non-toxic and taken directly from the atmosphere.
Players should weigh the pros and cons of each pressure system to determine the right paintball tank for them. The advantage of carbon dioxide is even when using low pressures, a large amount of gas can still be stored. Carbon dioxide is a very dense gas which means players get a lot of power with only a small amount. Carbon dioxide paintball tanks work best between 800 and 1200 psi.
The disadvantage of having a carbon dioxide paintball tank is this chemical can exist as a solid, liquid or gas all at the same time. Having any combination of carbon dioxide forms inside the gun will result in sporadic paintball speeds and shooting inaccuracies. Also, if the outside temperature is below 50 degrees F, some guns may freeze. When using a carbon dioxide paintball tank, the colder the temperature, the less power the gun will have. Some carbon dioxide paintball tanks are manufactured specifically for liquid carbon dioxide so be sure to purchase the right kind.
The second alternative in paintball tanks is the high-pressure air (HPA) system. HPA paintball tanks use normal air or pure nitrogen as its source propellant. This chemical differs from carbon dioxide in that it exists only as a gas. As a result, an HPA system is much more appropriate for colder environments and its consistent pressure allows for more accurate shooting. However, this gas does not have as much power as carbon dioxide; therefore it must be stored at higher pressures than carbon dioxide in order to work properly. Most importantly, HPA paintball tanks should not be used in small areas such as inside the house or in a small yard because the paintballs may hurt other players at such a close range.
Finding the right paintball tank not only depends on the size and temperature of the playing field, but it depends also on the type of player you are. High pressured paintball tanks are mostly made for professional tournament players who rely on paintball accuracy and reliability. However, for the beginning or casual contestant, carbon dioxide paintball tanks are a much cheaper alternative. For instance, on anythingxtreme.com a tournament level Crossfire 45/4500 High Pressure Tank costs $179.99 whereas a Pure Energy 20 oz carbon dioxide bottle is priced at only $19.99. Prices do vary between manufacturers.
Safety is an important element of paintball. Regardless of the type of paintball tank an individual utilizes, it must always be depressurized when not in use. Despite their reputation, HPA tanks are very safe. They were manufactured to meet strict military criteria and should not explode.
Paintball tanks are available for novice and experienced players alike. With the appropriate paintball tank, competitors can play at their full potential while enjoying the benefits of exercising their survival instincts safely.
Sources:
Air Tanks and Accessories. Xtreme Paintball. 1990-2007. 29 July 2007. http://www.anythingxtreme.com/Air-Tanks-Accessorie s-C1389.aspx.
Braun, Jerry, et al. The Complete Guide to Paintball. 2nd edition. Long Island: Hatherleigh, 2003.
"All About Paintball Guns . . . " Paintball-Tips-And-Tricks.com. 2004-2007. 24 July 2007. http://www.paintball-tips-and-tricks.com/paintball -guns.html.
