[EricHSmith]

Harbor Freight has a decent regulator for about $30. That's 1/2 of what most LHBS will have one for.


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[micsager]

I've never swapped a tank. Any place I've been will fill it on the spot, usually. I won't leave the tank or exchange.

I lost a nice new one the first time I exchanged.  But big deal.  I use the Co2, not the pretty tank.  Plus, if I want my own tank filled, it's a 70 mile drive.  To exchange it, is less than 5 miles.  Pretty simple.  The thing that gets me, is a 5lb tank cost me about $18.  A 20lb tank is $21.  That's why I have been slowly selling my 5lb ones.  Just need two for the kegerators.  But for carbonating, and such, the 20lb is the way to go.  (at least with a 1bbl system)

[euge]

+1 I agree on the 20#'er. Then one can fill their 5# tanks from it!

[klickitat jim]

Agreed. Im going to add a 20 for out in the brewery and keep my two 5s for the tap. Just because they fit inside.

[bassetman]

Exchange is the only choice in this area. If you want your tank filled it will be gone a month.

[S. cerevisiae]

What's going to drive you nuts is when you have to turn in your brand new shiny empty CO2 tank for an old beat up full one. Ask me how i know. Especially if you discover that you paid more for the new one than a deposit would have been.

There's no need to swap a new CO₂ tank for an old blemished tank. Most medium-sized towns usually have at least one fire extinguisher service company that will fill a CO₂ tank for the price of the gas that it takes to fill the tank (sometimes one may have to drop the tank off and pick up it up later).  These companies also hydrostatic test tanks for a price that is low enough that it makes sense to have even 5lb tanks hydrostatic tested.  I have found the specialized gas companies to be a total ripoff.  They usually charge almost as much to fill a 5lb tank as they do a 20lb tank, and their hydrostatic test charges tend to turn 5lb tanks into disposable items.

[Phil_M]

FWIW, I bought a nice aluminum tank new with my kegerator, and I've always swapped it. Local welding shop has yet to give me a replacement aluminum tank that has been anything other than spotless.

That being said, my local welding shop has a really great reputation in the area, and they also stock a lot of draft equipment.