If you're familiar with the sport of paintball or the various types of paintball guns, such as spyder paintball guns or an angel paintball gun, then you know how important a good nitro/compressed-air system can be. You'll find that carbon dioxide systems, commonly referred to as CO2, are readily available and inexpensive but they are less effective. CO2 comes in both gas form and liquid. The liquid is usually under high pressure which will allow it to be stored in a very small space. To function properly, CO2 needs adequate space to expand into a gas, otherwise your system will not function properly. Some players have difficulty with liquid CO2 entering their paintball guns. They can harm the internal mechanics, especially plastic o-rings and rubber. Your local paintball gear supplier can advise you on what necessary precautions you need to take to avoid this costly and annoying problem.

Liquid CO2 could freeze up the inside of your paintball gun and stop it from working until it has had an opportunity to thaw out. It takes about 10 to 15 seconds to thaw out but this could be just long enough for an opponent to shoot you with his rapid-fire paintballs! You'll find as well that CO2 expands rapidly from the high pressure inside the tank and it is then converted to a lower pressure inside the gun. This will cause the gun's velocity to fluctuate, meaning that each paintball will travel at a different rate and trajectory which may make it difficult to shoot your target. Another annoying problem with CO2 is that it may cause the hammer to not the fully re-cock and prevent your paintball gun from going fully automatic.

Paintball guns will vary in their sensitivity to liquid or spiking pressure. You may have trouble in cooler weather such as the high 30's or low 40's, when you employ rapid fire, or if you overfill your tank, as this may cause the liquid CO2 to not turn into a gas adequately before it enters your gun. There are three different ways that you can regulate the flow of CO2 pressure into your paintball gun. Expansion chambers, commonly referred to as x-chambers will attach to your tank and gun and will stop the liquid from entering it. It will also help with the air pressure. Anti-siphon valves have tubes placed inside the CO2 tank which will stop the CO2 from entering the gun, and this is your cheapest solution. One of the most commonly used items is a regulator. It will attach to the tank and gun and provide consistent air pressure, but it is also your most expensive solution. Another mid-range cost item is a remote. This consists of a long hose that will connect your gun to a tank placed on the player's side or back. Either way you look at it there are several options in paintball gear to increase your competitiveness on the field!