CO2 Chamber for Rodents

Annihilation Chamber

(CO2 Chamber)

Brief

The tub is a Sterlite 20quart that measures aproximately 14"L x 9"W x 9" H. You can get one just about any size you want from any of the major department stores.

The CO2 chambers I've seen all had secured lids that would seal air-tight. Mine doesn't. I may use a little more gas because of it but it's not a problem. CO2 is heavier than oxygen, as long as the ozygen has a way to escape through the top, you should be fine.

The first few times I used mine I sealed the lid on with duct tape. Now I just keep a hand on top of it and slowly release the gas (CO2) into it. It doesn't take much gas to do the job.

One thing to keep in mind when putting down rabbits in one without a secured lid, rabbits are going to come out of there. Their reflexes, with their strong hind legs, will cause them to propel straight up and knock the lid across the room if you don't have a hold of it. Been there, done that.

More Detailed

I've been using this one for 2yrs now. It's a bit crude (rough draft form) but effective.

1 - 20-oz. CO2 tank made for paintball guns (Wal-mart, aprox. $25)
1 - valve body assembly for CO2 tank (local welding supply, I think it was around $20, not sure, though)
20 ounces of CO2 (welding supply, $10) {The CO2 tank doesn't come filled}
1 - hose with appropriate-sized fittings for valve body (local welding supply, price varies) {I went overboard and used a braided hose. Don't do that, waste of money. A typical 6ft nylon, plastic, or whatever, air hose will work fine.}
You'll need a way to secure the other end of hose to the side of the holding container. I used a few washers and a nut, with silicone on both sides for an air-tight seal.
For the holding container, something that can easily be sealed air-tight is ideal, but not necessary. The container I used is not air-tight. I use a TINY bit extra CO2 because of leaks but one of those tanks of gas will last a LONG time. The container in the pics is a Sterlite 20quart that measures aproximately 14"L x 9"W x 9" H.

Most of the parts listed can also be found at a place that carries paintball supplies, except for maybe a few fittings needed to connect the hose to the container. The fittings can be found at most hardware stores.

All in all, you're looking at around $70. It's not cheap but I'm sure you'll find it worthwhile.

I used to use duct tape to seal the lid on but after a few times I realized that it was more trouble than it's worth (give a hillbilly a roll of duct tape & roll of baling wire & he can fix anything). I use my free hand to keep pressure down on the lid and it works fine. Drill a hole about 1/8 - 1/4 inches in diameter in the highest point of the lid for air to escape when the gas is turned on.

Idealy, the hole should have a tube in it with the other end of the tube going into a bowl of water. This keeps oxygen from going back into the holding container. I never could get the tube to work right on mine so I just did away with it, leaving just the hole.

I can put down around 30 large or extra large rats at one time. I've put down 2 mid-size rabbits at one time. I've also put down one 6 - 7 pound rabbit.

This is one website that helped me out when I was researching before building mine: http://www.thereddragonsden.com/co2.htm

I hope this helps! It ought to at least give you some ideas of your own.

Have a good one!

HappyHillbilly

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Last updated: 11/27/07