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Simple CO2 Apparatus
A simple and versatile CO2 Apparatus
Published by BWSmith
01-26-2008
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Simple CO2 Apparatus
There are hundreds of ways to create CO2 chambers. Given the diversity of what I do, I wanted options. What if I just need to put down a few pink mice? What if I have to put down an adult Burm? None of the plans that I saw really fit the bill for being so adaptable. So while trying to make one very versatile, I think i got a pretty simple one as well. In all, it costs about $50 with cheap refills.
The biggest expense is the CO2 tank. It is a 20 oz tank for Paintball that I got from Wal Mart for $28. That is because it is like Propane in that you have to have an empty tank to exchange. So if you already have an empty tank or pick one up cheap off Ebay, the cost is only about $8 to trade out for a full one.
Next i needed the connector hose. This is used by Paintballers as well to connect a large CO2 to the gun. At the Sports Store, they were $40, but I picked one up on Ebay for $14. It has 1/2" connectors and a dial to adjust air flow.
Those were the two big parts. Only a few left.
A Step Down adapter $4.50:
Hose Barb Adapter $2:
1/8" tubing $2.50 (WAYYYY to much tubing:
In all, it took about 90 seconds to assemble. I think it actually took longer to open the packages than to assemble th apparatus.
Now you can turn virtually any container into a CO2 Chamber. As an example, I just used a cheap food storage container. I drilled one hole (the size of the hose) on each side of the lid and popped the hose in one side for intake and the other is open for exhaust.
This size will work great for most rodents but I could just as easily hook it up to a trash can for large specimens.
Simple, versatile, and fits in a drawer.
Just be sure to open the valve slowly so the lid doesn't pop off the container (or rarely pop the tube off the barb). For most containers, you would never even open up the valve all the way. Just open it enough to get a good flow, then drop it down to a minimum after you think all the Oxygen as been pushed out to keep air from getting back in.
**Warning** Only use in a well ventilated area. |
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The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to BWSmith For This Useful Post:
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| Member reviews |
| Rating | | 1 |
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Re: Simple CO2 Apparatus
very cool..... the joys of paintball supplies!!
(for those that don't know, it is important to have tubing that CAN hold enough psi so that it doesnt burst, even if it is coming straight out the other end! better safe than sorry)
Great post! |
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Last edited by xbigredtankx; 01-26-2008 at 07:32 AM..
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| Member reviews |
| Rating | | 1 |
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Re: Simple CO2 Apparatus
BW --- you suck.  Couldn't let me have another week of feeling so confident that I made a how-to thread, huh? Just had to show me up? Now I am back to feeling like an RTB peon, lol. Man, this is worse than when Stargazer fixs a spelling error.
I stopped at Lowe's and got the tube, and brass fittings all for under $10. Like the design, very simple and wide use of ranges. Thanks! |
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| Member reviews |
| Rating | | 5 |
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Re: Simple CO2 Apparatus
I try to stick with the K.I.S.S. principle.  |
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Re: Simple CO2 Apparatus
umm this is an odd question but umm.. say i wanted to move a animal that was really skitish in the car .. could i use co2 to calm them? is it toxic in anyway or is it just knockout gas...like say for a cat or a big lizard like full grown tegu or even a medium one |
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Re: Simple CO2 Apparatus
Quote:
Originally Posted by OBXtegu524
umm this is an odd question but umm.. say i wanted to move a animal that was really skitish in the car .. could i use co2 to calm them? is it toxic in anyway or is it just knockout gas...like say for a cat or a big lizard like full grown tegu or even a medium one
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Have you ever met someone who has tried to kill themselves by gasing and see the damage it can cause? True co2 isn't harmful like sticking your head in an oven, or even hooking up to the tail pipe of your car (carbon MONoxide) but the principle is stil the same, you are replacing the o2 with something else. Sure you might get away with it, but more than likely you are going to cause some type of braindamage. Also, if it wakes up, then you are either in trouble or there was no point in it. Secure the animal at your location, bag, tub, box, whater and that way you can be sure that even if something happens in the car it is still confined. I certainly wouldn't want to get stuck in traffic or pulled over for some reason or an accident and suddenly a tegu wakes up, and wakes up confused, frightened, and pretty ticked. |
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Re: Simple CO2 Apparatus
that does not sound like a good idea. |
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Re: Simple CO2 Apparatus
CO2 is carbon dioxide, its the same stuff you breath out when you exhale, if you breath nothing but CO2 you will die. it would be extremely hard to use it as a knock out gas, you would have to very closely be able to monitor the animals heart rate and breathing. If it were me i wouldnt even attempt to use it as a knock out gas, i would secure the animal in the car the best way possible, and just take it nice and easy, after a while (if you do it enough) they will get used to it and calm down. |
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Re: Simple CO2 Apparatus
You could always use ether. Which is nothing more than starting fluid in a can. But again you will need a way to monitor your animals vitals. So if you are not a vet or have not been trained how to use this method I would advise against it though. |
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By
morti
on
07-01-2008, 09:39 PM
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Re: Simple CO2 Apparatus
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigjoehero
You could always use ether. Which is nothing more than starting fluid in a can. But again you will need a way to monitor your animals vitals. So if you are not a vet or have not been trained how to use this method I would advise against it though.
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The reason we would use CO2 is to kill rodents that are intended to be fed to our snakes.
Using something like ether is not going to be a good idea because we don't want our snakes ingesting that. |
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By
-KB-
on
12-04-2008, 12:19 AM
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Re: Simple CO2 Apparatus
Could I use a styrofoam icechest as a CO2 chamber? We've got a bunch in our garage and they're just sitting there....
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Thanks in advance! |
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Re: Simple CO2 Apparatus
The advantage to this setup is that you can use anything as the chamber. |
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Re: Simple CO2 Apparatus
Quote:
Originally Posted by WHO????
...I certainly wouldn't want to get stuck in traffic or pulled over for some reason or an accident and suddenly a tegu wakes up, and wakes up confused, frightened, and pretty ticked.
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None of those sound like a pleasurable experience! |
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By
Sita
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09-28-2010, 04:13 AM
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| Rating | | 1 |
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Re: Simple CO2 Apparatus
I just wanted to post as a thank you for creating this How-To. I was buying my mice frozen from the nearest petshop as it was the best option at the time, and not only was the price frustrating (nearly $2 per adult mouse) but they were often bloody, which indicated to me some traumatic method of killing.
I got a 12 oz. tank from my brother who said I could "borrow" it (he'll probably never ask for it back  ), and some tubing I picked up from a garage sale for a nickel. The remote hose I got off Ebay. I actually didn't need an adapter or hose barb, as the end piece of the remote hose comes off, and the tube I had fit snugly in there. I just held it with my hand to be certain it didn't move. I used a small clear Sterilite container, and put two holes in it. I did 3 batches of 4 mice each. I introduced the Co2 very slowly at first, then increased it once they appeared unconscious. The next two batches were dropped in after I removed the dead ones, and that worked much better, as the container was already primed with gas. They were unconscious within seconds, and I just added a little more Co2 to be sure they would pass quickly.
I work as a vet tech, so I'm more familiar with how an animal acts when in distress, and how they appear when they are unconscious, and I can say that this method was the most humane way I have experienced. I'm glad I now have this method for euthanization, rather than cervical dislocation (which causes momentary pain if done absolutely right, and much worse if not done perfectly) or being strangled by the snake (which takes MUCH longer than this method, not to mention the risk to the snake). I can also get live mice for much less, and over the long run, will be a cheaper method than buying frozen.
So, yes, to end this long reply...Thank you! |
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Re: Simple CO2 Apparatus
How does this work with larger snakes though as there ability to hold breath is very good...as well as the number of tanks of co2 to fill a say..74qt sterlite tub would be like 2-3 wouldn't it? |
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By
morti
on
02-12-2011, 02:08 AM
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Re: Simple CO2 Apparatus
Quote:
Originally Posted by familywildliferehab
How does this work with larger snakes though as there ability to hold breath is very good...as well as the number of tanks of co2 to fill a say..74qt sterlite tub would be like 2-3 wouldn't it?
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This is really for dispatching rodents humanely. The experts do not recommend Co2 as a viable method of euthanasia for reptiles. |
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Re: Simple CO2 Apparatus
thanks to the OP. I think I'm going to have to build one of these to make feeding princess safer. Thanks again! |
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