Paintball Air Tank Overview
Overview
Paintball air tanks store and regulate the gas used to propel paintballs, serving as a critical safety certified component of every marker setup.
Key Points
- Two main construction types: aluminum and carbon fiber wrapped.
- Can use either compressed air or CO₂ depending on marker and field setup.
- Must comply with DOT or TC pressure vessel safety certifications.
- Require periodic hydrostatic testing at defined intervals.
- Typically connect via threaded ASA or remote line fittings.
Details
A paintball air tank functions as both a pressure vessel and a delivery system. Tanks attach directly to a marker’s air source adapter (ASA) or connect through a remote line that routes the tank to a harness. Each tank assembly includes a regulator that reduces stored pressure to levels appropriate for paintball markers. Modern equipment is predominantly built around compressed air systems, while CO₂ remains present in some rental and recreational environments.
Safety compliance for cylinders is governed by national and regional pressure vessel standards. Aluminum tanks generally follow multi year hydrostatic test intervals, while carbon fiber wrapped cylinders are re certified on a schedule defined by their specific labeling and approval (often in the three to five year range) and may have a finite service life. Hydrostatic testing evaluates cylinder integrity to confirm that the tank can remain in service. Tanks that are past their test date, fail inspection, or exceed their service life are typically removed from field use according to regulatory and insurance requirements.
Video References
Related Topics
Linked From
Disclaimer: PaintballWiki is an independent educational reference. The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not endorsed by, affiliated with, or officially connected to any professional league, manufacturer, or governing body. Nothing on this site is legal, safety, medical, or professional advice.