Where to get CO2 Refill in San Mateo Area

tubs · 07/05/2006, 04:33 PM

Anyone know where I can get a CO2 refill in the San Mateo area. I know praxair used to be in San Carlos but they're not there anymore.

TIA,
John

Blu50Stang · 07/05/2006, 04:36 PM

AirGas is in San Carlos on Industrial

tubs · 07/05/2006, 04:40 PM

ooh thanks man! Its a pain to get to clark industrial in SJ early in the morning and try to get to work in San Mateo in a reasonable time.

John

GreshamH · 07/05/2006, 04:51 PM

take the Holly St exit IIRC. Just down the street from Gen (Kritter). There's also one in SJ close to the airport, but on the other side of 880 (stadium side)

GreshamH · 07/05/2006, 04:51 PM

Now that I think about it, I think there's one even closer to you. Ask Sion where he gets his filled

Oh, I mean Randy

tubs · 07/06/2006, 07:13 AM

Gresham - thanks buddy. The one in San Carlos works well cuz its just down the freeway from where I work.

BTW the one in downtonw SJ is kinda expensive. For those in SJ Clark Industrial off of Brokaw (near Fry's) is much cheaper at $12 versus the $20 for a 5lb exchange (no refill though/exchange only)

Sparkss · 07/06/2006, 09:16 AM

Not to go totally off topic, but I hate that about Praxair(and alot of other CO2 supply companies), the exchange, not refill policy that is. I use a 20# bottle and had a really nice aluminum one that I ended up with after a couple of exchanges and really wanted to hold onto it (until I rebuilt our regulator it leaked horribly, from the day we bought it, so I did alot od exchanges in a short span of time.. I really cannot recommend the Milwaukee regulators). Since it sits in a corner anyways, I just resigned myself to a regular bottle

tubs · 07/06/2006, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sparkss
Not to go totally off topic, but I hate that about Praxair(and alot of other CO2 supply companies), the exchange, not refill policy that is. I use a 20# bottle and had a really nice aluminum one that I ended up with after a couple of exchanges and really wanted to hold onto it (until I rebuilt our regulator it leaked horribly, from the day we bought it, so I did alot od exchanges in a short span of time.. I really cannot recommend the Milwaukee regulators). Since it sits in a corner anyways, I just resigned myself to a regular bottle

Yeah I hear ya - this is why folks need to check local supplies before they buy a nice shiny aluminum bottle. Heck these ugly welding shop bottles rust too so if you don't put a tray underneath they might stain your stand with rust

I'm guessing here that the refills are a liability and believe that all refill bottles must go through some sort of inspection? And thus no refills on the spot?

John

GreshamH · 07/06/2006, 10:37 AM

Ever try to refill a bottle yourself? It's not an easy process, and one most shops aren't willing to do on the spot

Nope, no hydro (inspection) before refilling in most cases. Sometimes a visual is done, but typically not.

tubs · 07/06/2006, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by GreshamH
Ever try to refill a bottle yourself? It's not an easy process, and one most shops aren't willing to do on the spot

Nope, no hydro (inspection) before refilling in most cases. Sometimes a visual is done, but typically not.

Then they are just lazy

Unarce · 07/06/2006, 11:29 AM

John,

I found a place in our area that does beverage grade CO2 refilling while you wait. If I ever get around to setting up my reactor, that's where I'll be bringing my bottle to each time.

The place is primarily a fire protection shop. If you're looking for a place to just refill, try these guys in Palo Alto: http://www.acefireinc.com/index.htm

I bet they do the Hydrostatic Testing, too.

HTH

Karl

tubs · 07/06/2006, 12:25 PM

Karl,

Thanks! paly alto is kinda out of the way though but its good info for those in that area.

J

GreshamH · 07/07/2006, 01:15 AM

karl brings up a great point. CO2 source. Most industrial grade, like you get from Airgas, is from the Oil refineries in the Richmond area. Not sure if it is bad or not, but that's the largest source around.

GreshamH · 07/07/2006, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tubs
Then they are just lazy

Or they don't have the insurance in place to fill bottles, which if not done right, can explode, shoot across the room like a rocket, or freeze some ones hands off. Or they're just lazy

I've seen CO2 and Scuba tanks go off, it's not a pretty sight.

tubs · 07/07/2006, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by GreshamH
Or they don't have the insurance in place to fill bottles, which if not done right, can explode, shoot across the room like a rocket, or freeze some ones hands off. Or they're just lazy

I've seen CO2 and Scuba tanks go off, it's not a pretty sight.

G,
This is the line I was thinking about earlier - liability so that is why they don't refill?

J

trmiv · 07/07/2006, 10:15 AM

There's a soft drink place called Carbonic Service in Santa Clara that will do fills while you wait. I brought them a brand new bottle last time and they filled it for me, no exchange.

GreshamH · 07/07/2006, 10:41 AM

Food grade at that

tubs · 07/07/2006, 11:17 AM

Hey this is getting to be a good list of CO2 providers

. Well anyway I went to work late today and got an exchange over at Clark Industrial. FWIW the 20lb bottle cost $19 to exchange.

GreshamH · 07/07/2006, 11:26 AM

Some one should capture this, and add it to BAR's resources page

tubs · 07/07/2006, 11:33 AM

ok I'll get it started:

Exchanges:

* Airgas
820 Industrial Rd, San Carlos, CA
(650) 592-9305

* Clark Industrial Supply Inc
1760 Rogers Ave, San Jose, CA
(408) 436-7544

Refills

* Ace Fire Equipment & Service Co., Inc.
http://www.acefireinc.com/index.htm
Food/Beverage Grade
1870 West Bayshore road
Palo alto, ca 94303
Phone: 650/321-7440
Fax: 650/321-1063

Carbonic Service Inc
http://carbonicservice.com/
1920 De La Cruz Blvd, Santa Clara, CA
(408) 727-8835
Food/Beverage Grade

trmiv · 07/07/2006, 11:38 AM

Carbonic Service has a website
http://carbonicservice.com/

trmiv · 07/14/2006, 11:19 AM

Anyone know of a place closer to Fremont? I need to get my tank filled, and can't do it during the week, and the wife is protesting about driving down to Santa Clara for a tank of CO2 for me.

tubs · 07/14/2006, 11:25 AM

I saw the carbonic service delivery truck in Burlingame so maybe they deliver if you are up to that.

J

trmiv · 07/14/2006, 11:28 AM

I think my little 5 pound bottle is too small time for that.

tubs · 07/14/2006, 11:29 AM

that's what I though LOL - just poked it out there

07/05/2006, 04:33 PM	#1
tubs Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Milpitas, CA, USA Posts: 1,006	Where to get CO2 Refill in San Mateo Area Anyone know where I can get a CO2 refill in the San Mateo area. I know praxair used to be in San Carlos but they're not there anymore. TIA, John

07/05/2006, 04:36 PM	#2
Blu50Stang Nobody Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 511	AirGas is in San Carlos on Industrial __________________ -Ross

07/05/2006, 04:51 PM	#4
GreshamH Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 9,474	take the Holly St exit IIRC. Just down the street from Gen (Kritter). There's also one in SJ close to the airport, but on the other side of 880 (stadium side) __________________ Gresham _______________________________ Feeding your reef...one polyp at a time

07/05/2006, 04:51 PM	#5
GreshamH Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 9,474	Now that I think about it, I think there's one even closer to you. Ask Sion where he gets his filled Oh, I mean Randy __________________ Gresham _______________________________ Feeding your reef...one polyp at a time

07/06/2006, 09:16 AM	#7
Sparkss Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Oakley (94561) Posts: 5,030	Not to go totally off topic, but I hate that about Praxair(and alot of other CO2 supply companies), the exchange, not refill policy that is. I use a 20# bottle and had a really nice aluminum one that I ended up with after a couple of exchanges and really wanted to hold onto it (until I rebuilt our regulator it leaked horribly, from the day we bought it, so I did alot od exchanges in a short span of time.. I really cannot recommend the Milwaukee regulators). Since it sits in a corner anyways, I just resigned myself to a regular bottle __________________ - Tom Current Tank Info: 380 starfire inwall ,two 150g sump/fuge. Volcano Ca RX, ato, 6' Volcano skimmer. LAIIIs w/400w AquaConnect 14K on IC EBallasts

07/05/2006, 04:40 PM	#3
tubs Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Milpitas, CA, USA Posts: 1,006	ooh thanks man! Its a pain to get to clark industrial in SJ early in the morning and try to get to work in San Mateo in a reasonable time. John

07/06/2006, 07:13 AM	#6
tubs Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Milpitas, CA, USA Posts: 1,006	Gresham - thanks buddy. The one in San Carlos works well cuz its just down the freeway from where I work. BTW the one in downtonw SJ is kinda expensive. For those in SJ Clark Industrial off of Brokaw (near Fry's) is much cheaper at $12 versus the $20 for a 5lb exchange (no refill though/exchange only)

07/06/2006, 10:37 AM	#9
GreshamH Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 9,474	Ever try to refill a bottle yourself? It's not an easy process, and one most shops aren't willing to do on the spot Nope, no hydro (inspection) before refilling in most cases. Sometimes a visual is done, but typically not. __________________ Gresham _______________________________ Feeding your reef...one polyp at a time

07/06/2006, 11:29 AM	#11
Unarce Unshackled Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Rocklin, CA Posts: 4,941	John, I found a place in our area that does beverage grade CO2 refilling while you wait. If I ever get around to setting up my reactor, that's where I'll be bringing my bottle to each time. The place is primarily a fire protection shop. If you're looking for a place to just refill, try these guys in Palo Alto: http://www.acefireinc.com/index.htm I bet they do the Hydrostatic Testing, too. HTH Karl __________________ ¡pɹɐɥ os noʎ ǝlppnɔ plnoʍ I Current Tank Info: starting to get that itch again

07/06/2006, 12:25 PM	#12
tubs Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Milpitas, CA, USA Posts: 1,006	Karl, Thanks! paly alto is kinda out of the way though but its good info for those in that area. J

07/07/2006, 01:15 AM	#13
GreshamH Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 9,474	karl brings up a great point. CO2 source. Most industrial grade, like you get from Airgas, is from the Oil refineries in the Richmond area. Not sure if it is bad or not, but that's the largest source around. __________________ Gresham _______________________________ Feeding your reef...one polyp at a time

07/07/2006, 10:15 AM	#16
trmiv Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 3,082	There's a soft drink place called Carbonic Service in Santa Clara that will do fills while you wait. I brought them a brand new bottle last time and they filled it for me, no exchange. __________________ Current tank: Red Sea Reefer 350 Deluxe, Avast Marine Pegleg 180 skimmer, Gyre 150, Eheim 1262 return

07/07/2006, 10:41 AM	#17
GreshamH Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 9,474	Food grade at that __________________ Gresham _______________________________ Feeding your reef...one polyp at a time

07/07/2006, 11:17 AM	#18
tubs Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Milpitas, CA, USA Posts: 1,006	Hey this is getting to be a good list of CO2 providers . Well anyway I went to work late today and got an exchange over at Clark Industrial. FWIW the 20lb bottle cost $19 to exchange.

07/07/2006, 11:26 AM	#19
GreshamH Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 9,474	Some one should capture this, and add it to BAR's resources page __________________ Gresham _______________________________ Feeding your reef...one polyp at a time

07/07/2006, 11:33 AM	#20
tubs Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Milpitas, CA, USA Posts: 1,006	ok I'll get it started: Exchanges: * Airgas 820 Industrial Rd, San Carlos, CA (650) 592-9305 * Clark Industrial Supply Inc 1760 Rogers Ave, San Jose, CA (408) 436-7544 Refills * Ace Fire Equipment & Service Co., Inc. http://www.acefireinc.com/index.htm Food/Beverage Grade 1870 West Bayshore road Palo alto, ca 94303 Phone: 650/321-7440 Fax: 650/321-1063 Carbonic Service Inc http://carbonicservice.com/ 1920 De La Cruz Blvd, Santa Clara, CA (408) 727-8835 Food/Beverage Grade Last edited by tubs; 07/07/2006 at 11:55 AM.

07/07/2006, 11:38 AM	#21
trmiv Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 3,082	Carbonic Service has a website http://carbonicservice.com/ __________________ Current tank: Red Sea Reefer 350 Deluxe, Avast Marine Pegleg 180 skimmer, Gyre 150, Eheim 1262 return

07/14/2006, 11:19 AM	#22
trmiv Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 3,082	Anyone know of a place closer to Fremont? I need to get my tank filled, and can't do it during the week, and the wife is protesting about driving down to Santa Clara for a tank of CO2 for me. __________________ Current tank: Red Sea Reefer 350 Deluxe, Avast Marine Pegleg 180 skimmer, Gyre 150, Eheim 1262 return

07/14/2006, 11:25 AM	#23
tubs Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Milpitas, CA, USA Posts: 1,006	I saw the carbonic service delivery truck in Burlingame so maybe they deliver if you are up to that. J

07/14/2006, 11:28 AM	#24
trmiv Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 3,082	I think my little 5 pound bottle is too small time for that. __________________ Current tank: Red Sea Reefer 350 Deluxe, Avast Marine Pegleg 180 skimmer, Gyre 150, Eheim 1262 return

07/14/2006, 11:29 AM	#25
tubs Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Milpitas, CA, USA Posts: 1,006	that's what I though LOL - just poked it out there