CO2 tank refilling and hydro-testing

[chalmers]

For those who want to keep their own CO2 tanks rather than swap, here are some companies that will fill them for you. They can sometimes fill them immediately, but be prepared to drop the tank and pick it up later. If you're in a rush, best to call ahead! We are looking to keep this post up to date, so if you find a new spot, or this information is out of date, let us know!
Last edit: Jan 25, 2021

In Halifax:
Don Brenton's Fire Protection
2 Lakeside Park Drive, Unit 5, Lakeside NS B3T 1L7
Phone: 902-876-7879
Hours: M-F 8-4:30
http://www.brentons.com/contact.asp
Details: Call first for the latest information, they may now be doing pickup/delivery fills exclusively.
Drop-off is around the back of Unit 12 (furthest from St. Margaret's Road), and there you will be given an invoice to pay in Unit 5 (despite the signs, you can go in the back door). Cash, debit or CC.
Pricing: $17.25-20 for 5lb, $25-30 for 10lb, $40 for 20lb. Hydro test is $27.50 [conflicting reports on pricing since Dec 2016]. Be sure the invoice is marked as DRAFT and the cashier/receptionist knows this, or the charge may be higher.

In Dartmouth:
Johnson Controls
600 Windmill Rd, Dartmouth, NS B3B 1B5
Phone: 468-9100
Hours: M-F ???
https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/en_ca
Details: Entrance at side, Cash only
Pricing: $3/lb: $15 for 5lb, $30 for 10lb, $60 for 20lb. $25 for hydro test. Multi-tank discount.

In Sydney:
Bidart Safety
69 Johnston St, Sydney, NS B1P 1T2
Phone: 902-562-1558
Hours: M-F ???
Details:
Pricing: $25 for 5lb tank.

In Truro:
Water & Wine
68 Robie St, Truro, NS B2N 1L2
Phone: (902) 895-2266
Hours: M-S 9:30 - 17:00
Details: For now they're simply transferring from a larger tank so you don't always get a completely full tank but if you take the tank in cold, it'll be close. And you only pay for how much they get in to the tank. Usually next day pickup.
Pricing: $4 per lb.


In Fredericton:
Atlantic Fire & Safety
Unit 9, 385 Wilsey Road, Fredericton, E3B 5G2
Phone: (506) 459-1444
Hours: M-F 8-4:30
http://www.atlanticfireandsafety.ca
Pricing: ~$28 for 5 lb, ~$36 for 10 lb

In Moncton:
Brunswick Fyr & Safety
231 Edinburgh Drive, Moncton NB E1E 2K9
Phone: (506) 857-3191
Hours: M-F 8-5
http://www.brunswickfyr.ca/
Pricing: $23.75$+tax for 5lb, $40+ for 10lb, $72.00+ for 20lb. $30+tax for hydro test.

In Saint John
L. E. Whittaker Co Ltd (LEWCO)
888 Bayside Dr, Saint John, NB E2R 1A2
Phone: (506) 633- 2911
Hours: M-F 8A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
http://lewco.ca/
Pricing: 20lb Refill $45, Hydro-test $20. Drop off/pickup service.

In Charlottetown:
T & K Fire and Safety Equipment Ltd.
16 Walker Dr, Charlottetown, PE C1A 8S6
Phone: (902) 368-3016
Hours: M-F 7-5
http://www.tkfire.com/
Pricing: $21 for 5lb. Conflicting reports about filling on the spot, or having to drop it and leave it. Best to call first to check.

In St John's:
Martin's Fire Safety Ltd.
20 Allston Street, Mt. Pearl, NL
Phone: (709) 753-8872
Hours: ???
http://www.martinsfiresafety.com/
Pricing: $46.25 for 20 lbs. $24.00 for hydro


In St John's:
Frontline Action Sports
1073 Topsail Rd Mt Pearl, NL A1N 3J8
Phone: (709) 747-4653
Hours: M-F: 9-8, Sat 1906, Sun 11-6
http://www.frontlineaction.com/nl/
Pricing: $33 for 5lb (inc taxes).

Your Town:
???

[ratchet]

we need to get this sticky'd

[Jimmy]

we need to get this sticky'd

Done

[ratchet]

cheers!

[Jayme]

Anyone know their hours? I've got 2 x 20lbs I got a great deal on a while back but both need testing + filling. I work in Hackett's cove during the day though so tough for me to get to there aside from the weekend.

[chalmers]

I'm going to guess 8-5 M-S, but best to call: 876-7879

[Jayme]

Thanks! But also crap - m-f, 8-4:30. Conveniently the same hours I work... I'm going to see if Cardinal or Cummings in Bridgewater will do them. My dad lives out that way and he's retired with some time on his hands to take them out during the day.

[chalmers]

For the low price of a homebrew or two, I'm sure a BN could help you out. Hint, hint.

[ratchet]

as soon as my damn CO2 tank comes in... I'll be making a trip out.

perhaps we should see if we can get a brewnoser's discount

[Jayme]

Cummings in Bridgewater will fill them up and they're right across from where my mom works in Bridgewater. I'm going to see how much they charge and if it's at least close, I'll probably just get them filled there, but if not I'd be game for trading someone a few beers to take them out if they're already going out there! Tasty IPA on tap right now, brewed with home grown hops...

[Jayme]

Eeek got a price back from Cummings in Bridgewater... ~$100 for testing and refill for EACH tank! That's sounds to be double Brenton's... Anyone taking tanks in to Brenton's anytime soon that would be willing to take two tanks in for me? I'm not really in any big rush - I still have two 15lbs from NG that I'm using now anyhow.

[ratchet]

My tank is slated to be delivered Thursday... so I'm planning on going Thurs. afternoon.

If you think you can get them to me sometime tomorrow, I can certainly take them in for you.
if not, I'm sure one of the other brewers can give you a hand.

[Jayme]

Are you dropping yours off to pick up later? I expect it will take a few days for mine to get tested so I have to make sure I can them back again I should be able to bring them by tomorrow night if you're around. What area of the city do you live in?

[ratchet]

I'll be at CFB Stadacona tomorrow night.

I was going to wait for mine... but I can pick yours up Friday (they usually turn them around in a day or so)

[Jayme]

Oh I don't want you to have to make a special trip out of it... I don't mind waiting until someone is going to be dropping a tank off for testing and can take mine too, or until the summer when I get Friday afternoons off. Thanks though and if you do take any tanks in to drop off and pick up later, I would take you up on the offer for sure!

[ratchet]

if you change your mind... you know how to reach me.
PMs will hit my inbox on my phone (read within an hour or so)... I'll be leaving stad ~9:30pm.

[chalmers]

we need to get this sticky'd

Done

The glue on that seems to have fallen off. Could you re-sticky it?

[LiverDance]

Got my 2 tanks filled at DB yesterday thanks to Chalmers. A 5lbs and 10lbs fill cost me $40.83 total.

[benwedge]

A couple of things: just got back from DB, 5lb fill was 18.98, they said 20lb was 22, but that may be before tax. Hydro testing is $21 (+tax?) for a 20lb apparently.

When you get there, try the front door of Unit 12, if it's locked, head over to Unit 5. We confused ourselves and them when we went in the back of Unit 5. They said they're changing their billing system so you won't have to go over to #5 at all in the future.

[andrewtrsmith]

Can anyone confirm if DB does paintball tank hydro's? My 20oz is up and will have to get it tested once it's empty

[Jimmy]

As far as I know they do. I used to work next door at the scuba shop, and we would drop almost any tank off for DB to do an hydro.

[chalmers]

A couple of things: just got back from DB, 5lb fill was 18.98, they said 20lb was 22, but that may be before tax. Hydro testing is $21 (+tax?) for a 20lb apparently.

When you get there, try the front door of Unit 12, if it's locked, head over to Unit 5. We confused ourselves and them when we went in the back of Unit 5. They said they're changing their billing system so you won't have to go over to #5 at all in the future.

The pricing seems to change by a few dollars each way depending on who is doing the filling/paperwork, I've noticed. A ~$20 estimate for each fill or test is a good one.

When were you there? Only 2 weeks ago, you still have to go to the Shipping/Receiving (around the back of Unit 5, "DON BRENTON'S" spraypainted on a non-descript door at the far left of the complex) to drop off your tank. If you now/will only be dealing with their office-front (unit 12), that will significantly slow down the operation, which can sometimes get you all taken care of in 15min.

[benwedge]

When were you there? Only 2 weeks ago, you still have to go to the Shipping/Receiving (around the back of Unit 5, "DON BRENTON'S" spraypainted on a non-descript door at the far left of the complex) to drop off your tank. If you now/will only be dealing with their office-front (unit 12), that will significantly slow down the operation, which can sometimes get you all taken care of in 15min.

I think 12 and 5 were reversed in the original directions. Unit 12 is the one at the end of the building, and around back it does have "Don Brenton's" spray-painted on it. They said to go to the front of Unit 12, and if it's locked, come to Unit 5. You'll be able to pay at Unit 12 once the new billing system is set up. This information was from last Tuesday (March 29).

[chalmers]

When were you there? Only 2 weeks ago, you still have to go to the Shipping/Receiving (around the back of Unit 5, "DON BRENTON'S" spraypainted on a non-descript door at the far left of the complex) to drop off your tank. If you now/will only be dealing with their office-front (unit 12), that will significantly slow down the operation, which can sometimes get you all taken care of in 15min.

I think 12 and 5 were reversed in the original directions. Unit 12 is the one at the end of the building, and around back it does have "Don Brenton's" spray-painted on it. They said to go to the front of Unit 12, and if it's locked, come to Unit 5. You'll be able to pay at Unit 12 once the new billing system is set up. This information was from last Tuesday (March 29).

Oops, my mistake. Fixing the first post now. Thanks

[akr71]

I'm just a CO2 tank, regulator and some tubing short of getting my keezer complete and I have a couple questions before I commit my hard earned $$ to it. This seemed like the best place to put it, rather than a new thread.

Is there an advantage to Al over SS (10# Aluminium cylinders are on sale at KegConnection)? Do they require a hydro-test as often? Are there any tips you wish you knew before started kegging?