Oxygen Tanks For Ozone Therapy
Oxygen tanks for ozone therapy are a popular oxygen source for home ozone users.
Tanks are regarded as the best solution because of the high oxygen purity and the affordability.
Bottled oxygen never goes bad, although the tanks need to be inspected every few years.
Unlike oxygen concentrators, tanks need to be refilled when they are empty.
The currently available oxygen tanks are:
- medical oxygen (99.5% purity)
- ultra high purity scientific grade oxygen (99.994% purity)
- Promolife's O2Ready pre-filled oxygen tanks (99.6% purity)
- industrial (at least 99% purity)
Different types of oxygen tanks require different types of low flow regulators.
Let's look at them one by one:
Medical tanks come with a CGA870 valve which calls for a CGA870 regulator. Most medical tanks are made of aluminum. In most states a prescription is required to obtain medical oxygen.
One exception is the state of Georgia. Thanks to the Coronavirus crisis, it is now possible to obtain filled medical oxygen without a prescription. You can simply order the tank through this online shop. (Make sure to select the option without the regulator. The regulator needs to be a low flow regulator.)
Omssupply currently ships filled medical tanks to all contiguous US states.
Another option is to buy an empty tank separately and have it filled through your doctor.
CGA 870 Medical Oxygen Tank
This is a 255 L medical oxygen tank with a CGA 870 toggle valve. It does not require an extra wrench. If you buy a tank with a straight post, you will need an additional wrench to open it.
Specifications:
Capacity: 255 L or 9 CF
Weight: 2.5kg / 5.5Lb
Material: Aluminum
Post or toggle? Toggle (no wrench needed)
How many Rectal Insufflations can be performed with 1 tank at 200 ml each? 1,275
Prescription needed to fill it? Not when you order from omssupply. Otherwise, yes.
CGA 870 Medical Low Flow Regulator
For a CGA870 medical tank you need the matching regulator with low flows, so anything between 1 and 1/32 LPM. This is a so called pediatric or low flow CGA870 oxygen regulator.
If you decide to buy the oxygen tank separately from the regulator, make sure you pick the right type.
Here is the one you need:
This is a CGA 870 pediatric regulator which allows for flows of down to 1/32 LPM. A regulator with very low oxygen flows is called pediatric.
Specifications:
Material: Brass nickel
Wrench required? No
Flows: 1/32, 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1, 2, 3 LPM
Warranty: One year
Connector type: Barb
Price: US$ 69.95
Get a discount of 7% on ozone and oxygen equipment by using this code: TPO7D.
Ultra high purity scientific grade oxygen contains 99.994% pure oxygen, and comes in industrial CGA540 bottles.
The bottles come in different sizes and can be acquired at Airgas.
They come with a certificate of purity. At 99.994% this type of oxygen is purer than medical grade O2.
No license is required to buy scientific grade oxygen, but it tends to be a bit pricier than oxygen of lesser purity.
You will need a low flow or pediatric CGa540 regulator for the tank.
CGA540 Industrial Oxygen Cylinder filled with Ultra High Purity Oxygen
Scientific grade oxygen of ultra high purity comes in industrial CGA540 bottles. Check at your local Airgas supplier.
Specifications:
Capacity: varies, can be up to 2,265 L or 80 CF
Weight: varies
Material: steel
Valve: CGA540
How many Rectal Insufflations can be performed with 1 tank at 200 ml each? over 11,000
Price: $330 for 80 CF tank, $150 for a refill
CGA 540 Industrial Low Flow Regulator for the Ultra High Purity Scientific Grade Oxygen Tanks
For a CGA540 industrial tank you need the matching regulator with low flows, so anything between 1 and 1/32 LPM. This is a so called pediatric or low flow CGA540 oxygen regulator.
This regulator goes both on the ultra high purity scientific grade oxygen tank, as well as on a regulator industrial tank filled with industiral oxygen.
Here is what you need:
This is a CGA 540 pediatric regulator which allows for flows of down to 1/32 LPM. A regulator with very low oxygen flows is called pediatric.
Specifications:
Material: Brass nickel
Wrench required? No
Flows: 1/32, 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1, 2, 3 LPM
Warranty: One year
Connector type: Barb
Price: US$ 69.95
Get a discount of 7% on ozone and oxygen equipment by using this code: TPO7D.
Promolife is a one-stop-shop for all home and professional ozone users, including high grade pre-filled oxygen tanks.
The tanks are sold in pairs and hold certified 99.6% pure oxygen which puts it on par with medical oxygen. The oxygen can be used for any ozone application including injections.
One downside is that the tanks can not be refilled. So, once they are empty, they need to be disposed of and you buy a new batch.
The O2Ready tanks require a unique regulator which needs to be added to the first order.
O2Ready Prefilled Oxygen Tanks
Promolife's O2Ready Prefilled Oxygen Tanks
Specifications:
Percentage of oxygen purity: 99.6%
Capacity: 212 L or 7.5 CF for a pair
Prescription needed? No
Good for all ozone applications including IV? Yes
What type of regulator needed? A special O2Ready regulator
How many Rectal Insufflations can be performed with 1 tank at 200 ml each? 525
Price: US$ 249.95 for 2 tanks (minimum order)
Get 7% off on Promolife equipment with the following code: TPO7D
Industrial oxygen tanks have a CGA540 valve and consequently require a CGA540 low flow regulator for ozone treatments.
For the longest time, industrial oxygen was believed to be of the same purity as medical oxygen, so at least 99% pure, but a member of our ozone community tested his industrial tank and it turned out that the concentration was at 96%. It is not clear how often this occurs and if the member measured it correctly.
Given that by now there are many other possibilities to obtain certified high purity oxygen of above 99%, anyone who is planning on performing ozone injections should take advantage of the other options, see above.
For every other ozone application, industrial oxygen tanks are an affordable and easy to obtain oxygen source.
One can either buy the tank separately and have it filled at a local welding shop, or buy or rent the tank directly at the gas supplier and swap it for a refilled one.
CGA 540 Industrial Oxygen Cylinder
This is a 566 L (20 CF) industrial oxygen tank with a CGA 540 valve.
Specifications:
Capacity: 566 L or 20 CF
Weight: 13 lbs
Material: Steel
How many Rectal Insufflations can be performed with 1 tank at 200 ml each? 2,830
Prescription needed to fill it? No
Price: US$ 85.00
CGA 540 Industrial Regulator
CGA540 industrial tanks calls for a CGA540 industrial pediatric or low flow regulator.
This is a CGA 540 pediatric regulator which allows for flows of down to 1/32 LPM. A regulator with very low oxygen flows is called pediatric.
Specifications:
Material: Brass nickel
Wrench required? Yes
Flows: 1/32, 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1, 2, 3 LPM
Warranty: One year
Connector type: Barb
Price: US$ 79.95
You can get a discount of 7% on Promolife equipment if you use the following code: TPO7D
Medical vs Industrial Tanks – Pros and Cons
Apart from the pre-filled tanks you can also buy medical or industrial oxygen tanks in order to perform ozone therapy at home. Both have pros and cons. Medical and industrial tanks have different valves. Medical valves have the number CGA 870, industrial tanks CGA 540.
| MEDICAL | INDUSTRIAL | |
| Prescription needed? | Yes | No |
| Chain of custody? | Yes | It depends |
| Good for everything including injections? | Yes | All, except injections (use ultra high purity scientific grade O2 instead) |
| Oxygen purity | 99% or higher | 96% to 99% |
| Valve | CGA 870 | CGA 540 |
| Material | mostly aluminum | mostly steel |
A CGA 870 medical oxygen tank.
A CGA 540 industrial oxygen tank.
A CGA 870 pediatric regulator which fits CGA 870 medical oxygen tanks.
Medical oxygen tanks are equipped with a CGA 870 valve. This is important to know for two reasons: it determines whether you have a medical tank or not, and it tells you which type of regulator you need. Only a CGA 870 regulator fits a medical tank.
Medical oxygen tanks offer peace of mind when doing home ozone treatments since you know that they have been filled with the purest oxygen and that they have been handled in a traceable manner. A CGA 870 tank could never be accidentally filled with some other gas, since the only filling hose which fits a medical valve is one which transports oxygen. So a medical oxygen tank assures the highest quality and purity of oxygen. It can be used for any type of insufflation or injection including the intravenous route.
But: in order to obtain medical oxygen in the US, you will need a prescription from a doctor. If you do not have any respiratory conditions or other clear indications for supplemental oxygen, your doctor may not be willing to fill out the necessary paper work.
The main material most medical bottles are made of is aluminum, so they are relatively light weight and easy to carry. Larger medical tanks can be also steel.
A CGA 540 pediatric regulator for a CGA 540 industrial tank.
Industrial oxygen tanks are equipped with a CGA 540 valve and hence call for a corresponding regulator.
As the name already makes it clear industrial oxygen tanks are used for industrial purposes like welding. They do not have to satisfy the same hygienic standards as medical oxygen tanks. They also do not have a chain of custody. If you buy your oxygen at a welding company your tank may be swapped for one which had been used at a car repair shop and not handled with as much care and caution as one used at a doctor's office.
But, both industrial and medical oxygen tanks are filled with the same type of oxygen of at least 99% purity. For the above reasons, though, it is highly recommended to use at least one inline filter between the tank and the ozone generator. Best is to use a second filter between ozone generator and syringe or whatever other accessory you're using.
Industrial oxygen can be freely purchased anywhere in the US at any gas delivery service. No special license or prescription needed.
Industrial tanks are mostly made of steel and tend to be heavier than aluminum tanks.
Many use industrial oxygen tanks for ozone therapy at home due to their low cost and easy availability.
General Considerations When Buying an Oxygen Tank for Ozone Therapy
If for whatever reason you would not want to buy one of the pre-filled options above, consider the following:
New or used? I would always recommend to buy a new tank. Tanks need to be regularly inspected. When you buy a new tank, the inspection is already up to date. When you buy a used tank, you can not be sure if it has been properly maintained. It could contain impurities or it could have been mishandled, there is no way for you to verify. The valve could also have invisible damages or cracks due to age or mishandling. This could also be the case with new tanks but it's less likely.
Put a sticker on your tank or mark it with a Sharpie. When you get it filled at your local welding shop, make sure you get the same tank back. This is how you maintain a chain of custody.
Capacity: Most people prefer a bigger tank over a smaller one. A big tank lasts longer and does not have to be refilled as often. Big oxygen tanks tend to be made of steel which makes them heavy and difficult to move. So be prepared to compromise.
But even a smaller tank can last you a long time. Unless you want to use it to make ozonated oil or sauna. Then you will use the oxygen up quickly.
In general, a tank of around 255 L will likely last for a few months.
Toggle or post? The valve of a medical tank can have either a toggle or a straight post. A valve with a toggle means that there is a little metal handle attached to the top of the valve. By turning on the handle to the right or to the left one can open or close the valve. Tanks can also come without a toggle, just a straight post. In order to open a valve with a straight post one needs an extra key or oxygen wrench.
On the left you see a CGA 870 medical tank with a toggle valve. The toggle serves to easily open the valve. On the right you see a CGA 870 medical tank with a post valve. The post valve requires a wrench to open and close it.
How many RIs can you perform with a tank? Rectal insufflations are one of the most popular ozone applications. So, often people want to know how many of them they will be able to do with one tank filling.
If one takes one RI of 200 ml as the measure, then with a 400L tank one can perform up to 2,000 insufflations ( = 400L / 0.2L).
If you ozonate 2 glasses of water at 1/8 LPM for around 15 min, you will use up around 2 L of oxygen each time.
If you do VI at 1/16 LPM for 10 min, you will use up around 0.63 L of oxygen.
A 30 min ozone sauna at 1/2 LPM will use up around 15 L of oxygen.
Example: If you do per week 3 RI, 2 VI, and ozonate water twice a week, and do one ozone sauna per week, you will use per week around 21 L, in which case a 400 L tank will last for around 5 months.
Regulators: If you never handled an oxygen bottle you may wonder what a regulator is and what you need it for. An oxygen cylinder usually comes without any type of regulator. If you opened the tank without a regulator attached to it, the oxygen would escape within minutes because it comes out of a bottle at an extremely high rate. A regulator slows down the speed with which oxygen escapes from the oxygen tank and makes sure that that the gas flows out at a controlled, steady speed.
The flow of oxygen is measured in Liters Per Minute, or LPM.
Ozone therapy with home ozone generators calls for very low flows of oxygen down to sometimes 1/32 LPM. This is the reason why only low flow pediatric regulators are used.
Pediatric means the regulators are designed for children's needs. They typically have flows of 1/32, 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 LPM.
Every tank requires a matching regulator. A medical tank has a CGA 870 valve which calls for a CGA 870 regulator. An industrial tank with a CGA 540 valve calls for a CGA 540 regulator. None other will fit the tank.
Barb or DISS outlet? A barb outlet allows silicone tubing to be slipped on easily. A DISS outlet requires an additionalChristmas tree type adapter. Diss the DISS, choose a regulator with a barb outlet.
An oxygen regulator can come with a DISS or a barb outlet. Barb outlets are more practical. You can slip on a silicone tubing directly onto them. A DISS outlet would require an additional Christmas type adapter.
Safety
When you hold an oxygen tank at home, you hold an object under high pressure. Mishandling could lead to the cylinder turning into a missile and cause damage to humans and property. It is therefore of utmost importance that you secure your oxygen tank. Either keep it in a cart or bolt it to a wall. Keep it away from heat sources, open fire, and children.
Videos
About the author:
I’m Paola the Crazy Old Ozone Lady behind The Power of Ozone. I’m a licensed naturopathic practitioner, natural health consultant, ozone therapy enthusiast, researcher, and ozone therapy analyst. I hold certificates in ozone therapy, hyperbaric ozone applications, Oxyvenierung, and the Andrew Cutler chelation. I own several ozone generators including a German hyperbaric 10 Pass machine. I have been using ozone for over 13 years, I’ve chelated with the ACC program for close to 5 years and I’ve been carnivore for nearly 1.5 years. This website serves as a resource for those who are interested in ozone therapy and other approaches to successfully manage chronic conditions.
Legal Disclaimer
Information provided is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. No health claims for these products or treatments have been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), nor has the FDA nor any other medical authority approved these treatments or products to diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. Neither The Power of Ozone nor the manufacturers of these items are responsible for the misuse of this equipment or the information on this page. It is highly advised to receive professional council from a licensed doctor before using ozone therapy or any of the mentioned products or tests on yourself.
Affiliate Disclosure
Buy the Ultimate Guide to Home Ozone Therapy
15 Comments
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
- The 14 most important things to keep in mind when doing ozone | The Power of Ozone - […] OXYGEN TANKS […]
Submit a Comment
© 2024 The Power Of Ozone
Another grade of oxygen is aviator breathing oxygen. Using your own tank (CGA 540), one maintains custody control, and one gets enhanced filling protocols with the benefit of a paper certificate of analysis showing actual % oxygen content. The % oxygen spec. is 99.5% for aviator breathing oxygen, but in actually has always exceeded 99.8%. About $20 for a 20CF refill.
Hi Celo,
is it required to show a pilot's license when buying aviator oxygen?
I have never been asked the question. I am not a pilot.
Hello,
I would love to start in home ozone. I have three kids which set up would be the safest to keep at home?
Hi Mary,
the oxygen concentrator is safer, but if you need to use a tank (for injections), then make sure to buy a cart, too, here for example: https://amzn.to/2Xm9n1w .
And when you're done with it, stow it away or put a cover over it.
Best,
Hello,
Thank you for your very helpful advice. I have a question about the tanks. My mother has COPD and is on oxygen, so we have medical grade tanks, condenser, and filler (which allows me to fill the tanks at home using our condenser). My question is, when I fill our tanks using our condenser, will the purity of the oxygen in our tanks be better than the purity from the condenser? And also will it be suitable for MAH use? Thanks!
Hi Davide,
yes, the purity will be likely better, I think it's around 95%, but less than if you bought the tanks or had them refilled at a gas supplier.
I would contact the manufacturer of your equipment and ask them before doing MAH with that oxygen, but I tend to not recommend using it for MAH.
Best,
A license may not be required to buy a medical tank, but isn't a prescription required to get it refilled?
Nope.
Guten Tag Paola,
As I (a German Swiss) am living mostly in Europe – I do not have a permanent residence (yet) – can you give me some advice about which and where I would best buy an (as small as possible) industrial oxygen tank and possibly adapter(s) to refill them in different countries?
Many thanks in advance!
Vital
Hi Vital,
you can buy filled medical oxygen tanks in many parts of Europe, as in Germany and Netherlands, and in other countries. You don't need industrial oxygen and you don't need a license, just access to the internet. Same with the regulators.
Best,
Paola: What does it cost to get a tank refilled with industrial oxygen? I would assume that it is less than $87.50 (which is the cost of a promolife filled tank if the tank is returned for credit).
Hi Chris,
back in my days it cost around $20 to get a 20 CF tank filled in NYC.
Oxygen is cheap. I can imagine it's not much more now.
The benefit of the prefilled tanks is that you'll get it shipped to your home. You don't need to deal with the gas shop, answering their questions, etc.
Best,
Hi,
I just spoke with the person who owns a welding company and he said the medical oxygen and welding oxygen is exactly the same. Their tanks are all steel.
Can you use steel tanks for ozone therapy or does it have to be aluminum?
Hi Sherry,
yes, you can use steel tanks for ozone therapy. Just make sure that it the valve and the regulator match.