| CO2 has traditionally been the gas source of choice | | | | is used to fill a nitrogen tank. They can also be filled |
| since the early days of paintball. The concept | | | | using a reserve tank of higher pressure and a filling |
| borrowed from bb guns and air pistols, paintball guns | | | | adapter system. All compressed air tanks have a |
| began using CO2 in the form of 12 gram disposable | | | | regulator installed on them which brings the pressure |
| cartridges. Soon refillable CO2 tanks entered the | | | | exiting the tank down to a usable level for the paintball |
| scene, making the sport more affordable and | | | | gun. Regulators can be factory set, fixed at either high |
| enjoyable. Even though CO2 has done a lot for | | | | pressure (850 psi) or low pressure (400 psi). Some |
| paintball, it is not without its drawbacks. When a CO2 | | | | regulators are 'adjustable', allowing the user to set the |
| tank is filled, it's done so with liquid CO2. In order for the | | | | output pressure to work with a number of different |
| liquid to be a usable air source it must be converted | | | | guns. Because compressed air is already in a usable |
| into a gas to power the marker. This conversion | | | | form, no conversion is necessary. Therefore you will |
| requires thermal energy or heat. This is the reason | | | | not experience coldness or freeze-up with |
| why paintball guns and bb guns that use CO2 will get | | | | compressed air. Paintball markers using compressed |
| cold when firing. When the marker gets cold and heat | | | | air are also more consistent in pressure and less |
| is less available, the conversion from liquid to gas may | | | | affected by outside temperatures. This all equates to |
| be incomplete. This can allow liquid CO2 to enter the | | | | overall better performance. |
| internals of the marker causing freeze-ups and | | | | You can easily calculate how many shots per fill you |
| inconsistencies in operating pressure, distance and | | | | will get from a nitrogen paintball tank. As mentioned |
| accuracy. | | | | about, tanks come with a pressure rating of either |
| Compressed air, aka Nitrogen, is the other primary | | | | 3000 or 4500 psi. They are available in different sizes |
| propellant in paintball today. Unlike CO2, a compressed | | | | including 45ci, 68ci and 88ci. If your tank is rated at |
| air paintball tank is filled with normal air. They are | | | | 3000 psi, simply multiple the size (ci) by 10 to estimate |
| sometimes called 'Nitro' tanks only because the air we | | | | the amount of shots per fill. For 4500 psi tanks, multiple |
| breathe is primarily made up of nitrogen. A nitrogen | | | | the size by 15. For instance, a 68/3000 tank will give |
| paintball tank is made with special materials and | | | | you an estimated 680 shots per fill (68 x 10). |
| designed to store very high pressure. A standard CO2 | | | | What brands are best and what exactly makes one |
| tank will hold 850 psi of pressure. A compressed air | | | | tank better than the next? Visit us using the link below |
| tank can hold either 3000 or 4500 psi of air, depending | | | | and to find out more. |
| on the model that you choose. A special compressor | | | | |