Tippmann Empire Basics 48ci Paintball Tank

Curated from 62 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: March 28, 2025

Tippmann Empire Basics 48ci Paintball Tank

Brand: Tippmann
Price: $61
Snoop Score:
6.3
Sentiment
8.3
Popularity
9.5
Technical
3.8

Snoop's Take

The Tippmann Empire Basics 48ci 3K Paintball Tank is a lightweight aluminum cylinder designed for paintball enthusiasts, offering a 3000 PSI fill capacity and user-replaceable bonnet. Consumers appreciate the advantages of aluminum tanks, noting that "the aluminum tanks really aren’t worth hydro testing because you spend about $40 a tank testing them and you can get a new one for about the same." Additionally, users recommend leaving air in the tanks to prevent moisture damage, with one user stating, "LEAVE AIR IN TANKS. It prevents moisture from getting in there and ruining your tank." Overall, the feedback suggests that this product is a reliable choice for paintball players, making it a recommended option within its category.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Tanks

The aluminum tanks really aren’t worth hydro testing because you spend about $40 a tank testing them and you can get a new one for about the same, depending on the size.

Positive Feedback

You want rent/buy a bulk Co2 tank from a wielding shop/gas supply place and then daisy chain them together.

Negative Feedback
Product
6.3
Tippmann Empire Basics 48ci Paintball Tank
Casual Weekend Play
4 / 10
Competitive Tournament
4 / 10
Airsoft & Multi-Sport Use
9 / 10
Travel & Easy Storage
7 / 10
See how this compares to all Tanks

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.
Aluminum tanks are worth considering over hydro testing
The aluminum tanks really aren’t worth hydro testing because you spend about $40 a tank testing them and you can get a new one for about the same, depending on the size.
Brand new aluminum tanks are $50. Hydro testing is between $50-$75.
Leaving air in tanks prevents moisture damage
Just as the title asks, I was wondering if letting the compressed air out of the tank before leaving the field and storing it would be better.
LEAVE AIR IN TANKS. It prevents moisture from getting in there and ruining your tank.

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.
Need to buy new tanks for HPA conversion
You want rent/buy a bulk Co2 tank from a wielding shop/gas supply place and then daisy chain them together.

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Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.
68ci 4500 psi tanks are common but larger tanks are available
you can refill the air tank after each game at most fields.
ASA threads are standard for all paintball tanks
All paintball tanks use ASA threads.
Paintball tank sizes and capacities vary widely
I am NOT the Original Poster. That is [kinda_sorta_losingit](https://www.reddit.com/user/kinda_sorta_losingit/).
Passing a hydro test makes a tank like new
once the tank passes the hydro test, it’s basically brand new correct?

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.
Satisfaction from DIY upgrades and modifications
If you are your own tech, you will have fun and become satisfied with whatever upgrades up you are going for lol.
DIY options for CO2 and HPA fill stations
You can buy a CO2 fill station through several companies or build your own with the correct fittings, they are a fairly straightforward 2-valve design.

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’
HPA tanks are recommended for paintball guns
HPA tanks are they only ones you should consider buying tho.
Local paintball fields can refill tanks
You can go to your local paintball store/field and they should be able to fill it up.
CO2 tanks are commonly available but not always refillable
Sorry, Dick, Big-5 and REI do not refill them.
Discussion about selling used paintball equipment
Considering selling the entire set hoppers paintball storage paintballs tanks guns covers supply vest.
If you wanna sell it as a full kit; I'd say in the $300-ish range, but not much more than that.
Curiosity about availability of Tippmann products in second-hand market
I wanted a tippmann, but the company went under before i could get my hands on one.
Hydro testing regulations vary by location
Depends on where you live. In Canada any tank under 68ci does not need to be hydro tested.
Cost of hydro testing can be seen as reasonable
I just paid $35 for a rehydro, so $65 for 5 years of a tank. I think that's a pretty good deal.
Confusion about CO2 tank usage and refilling
Returning to paintball I’m returning to paintball and bought myself a Tipman Cronus, but I’m confused on how the co2 tanks work as I’ve used rentals every time I play so I never really dealt with them, are they one time use and then you need to refill them?
If they are tanks then you fill them when they get empty.
The mention of punctured suggests to me that OP is talking about those prefilled 88gram cylinders.
You are confusing air tanks with 12g c02 cartridges. 12g C02 cartridges are the little since use tubes that you pierce once and shoot until empty.
Tips for fixing thread alignment issues
One trick to try is removing the bonnet o-ring from the regulator and dropping it into the gun's ASA.
Thanks for the tip! I will give that a try and see if that works.

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.
Surprise at finding used Tippmanns often intact
after all those years not not even the slightest hiss
I’m surprised I haven’t found one missing the velocity screw yet lol
Inquiry about the functionality of a barrel extension
Damn does the barrel extension actually do something? Looks cool
Nostalgia for past Tippmann products and paintball events
The tippinators were some of the first to be able to test these and then we got one for each member.
God, I miss the old NPPL days.
That’s so sick, I wish they’d do a re release.
General safety advice regarding tank use
AL air tanks these days are built pretty great, but I would still recommend using tanks that are up to date with hydro testing.
Debate about safety and cleanliness of paintball tanks
Paintball Tank or Food Grade? I received a Fizzi unit for Christmas, and I love it.
There is no doubt that the C02 used is the same quality.

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