info for co2 chamber

brownsfan222 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-11-2005, 03:23 AM

when i get more snakes i want to breed rats. Does anyone have any pics of good co2 chambers. And how to make cheap co2

wreckwriter · #2 (**permalink**) 08-11-2005, 02:10 PM

The easiest way seems to be using paintball gun tanks for the CO2 supply. Of course that only works out if you have a local place to get fills for it. Basically its just an airtight chamber of some sort with a way to valve in the CO2.

hisba · #3 (**permalink**) 08-17-2005, 08:11 PM

here's a link with some info...
http://www.anapsid.org/co2.html
I've read it can also be done with dry ice. Place dry ice in a large bucket or garbage can. Have your mice/rats in a container, such as a critter keeper, something they can be in that is preferably dark and quite, with a solid bottom so when placed into the co2 chamber they have no direct contact with the dry ice. Once the CO2 has been allowed to build up (not sure how long, probably 5 minutes?) place the container with your feeders down into the bucket/pail/can. Make sure you do NOT put your head in or over the co2 chamber, you can pass out. If any of this info is wrong, please someone tell me! I've never tried the CO2, I used to just whack em, now I just buy frozen.
more info from repvet
http://www.repvet.co.za/food_ratsmice_euthanasia.htm
they describe using dry ice as well. (*However, they also mention the freezer as a meathod to kill feeders and I DO NOT think that it is humane, it is rather a cruel and slow death IMO)

kasa's_Kids · #4 (**permalink**) 08-17-2005, 08:40 PM

Go to your local welding supply shop and get a tank of co2 from them. Have them make a hose for the tank and a cheap pressure regulator. Have a small plastic tub with a good closure and drill a hole in it to match your hose barb size. Make the hose barb a permenant fixture to the tub. Attatch the one end to the co2 bottle/regulator and the other to the plastic tub/hose barb. open the valve and allow a small amout of co2 into the tub.

This co2 is cheap, it is what is used by any beer drinking person that has a tap system such as they have in bars. The initial setup won't be the cheapest, but it will last you a long time as long as you only use enough co2 to do the job. How much depends on the size of the tub.

I've been using this method for a long time and don't see any need to make changes.

wreckwriter · #5 (**permalink**) 08-17-2005, 08:41 PM

It can be done with dry ice but then you have to go get dry ice every time you need to kill a prey item. Seems it would be far less expensive in the long run to use the gas tank.

Lfsabch · #6 (**permalink**) 11-29-2005, 07:35 AM

here's my attempt and it worked beautifully,

20 oz co2 bottle from paintball with remote line and a stax container lol

in a matter of minutes the mouse had gone to sleep for good

smellati · #7 (**permalink**) 02-02-2006, 03:11 AM

how many mice or rats can you kill before refilling Lfsabch? What's the cost? How much for the paintball thing?

Yorick · #8 (**permalink**) 02-02-2006, 03:52 AM

Heres my method. We rent a co2 tank from a welding shop for paintball and we have used it on occasion to kill unwanted rodents for snake food. If i remember right, you put 135 down to rent the tank and then like another 145 to rent it for 20 years. You get the 135 back when you return it. It costs like 15 dollars to refill the tank and between paintball and other uses, only refill it like twice a year. Definatly a good investment if you plan on killing rats all the time. As you can see, the adapter on the tank is used for paintball, so i just wear a glove and hold the tubing to the hole. Its better than buying another adapted and it gets the job done. the tub isnt air tight which i find is better becasue it lets the oxygen out and keeps in the co2.

smellati · #9 (**permalink**) 02-02-2006, 04:19 AM

I really appreciate your help yorrick. I really like the small version with the paintball tank. It's only one rat, once a week, it should be suffice no? So should I leave air holes in the container, or just dont air tight it?

smellati · #10 (**permalink**) 02-02-2006, 04:25 AM

never mind, just found out my dad, has a big tank of co2 always available for his personal welding machine. Can you or someone, explain the setup for the container itself?

joker_8 · #11 (**permalink**) 02-02-2006, 04:35 AM

Just get a "chamber" of some sort, look at the pics on this thread, those are a few ideas, it can be ALMOST anything that you cane seal. Then run your hose into the "chamber" and you have a death machine.

smellati · #12 (**permalink**) 02-02-2006, 05:36 AM

so i dont have to punch holes in it or anything?

Yorick · #13 (**permalink**) 02-02-2006, 05:47 AM

unless its completely air tight then no because the air will find a way to escape. your first time will be trial based. One way or another that rat gunna die!!!

Rex322 · #14 (**permalink**) 02-02-2006, 06:21 AM

lol steve, you forgot that i made that co2 chamber

smellati · #15 (**permalink**) 02-02-2006, 08:44 AM

How does it work? Do I put the rat in the container, before introducing the co2 or what?

Rex322 · #16 (**permalink**) 02-03-2006, 12:36 AM

yup

Lfsabch · #17 (**permalink**) 02-14-2006, 08:22 AM

with my paintball/chip container one, i dont even need to put the lid on all i do is open the valve into the container for like 2 seconds and the things die

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