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Concerts & Touring Productions — Towering colored cryo columns visible across large outdoor stages
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Music Festivals — High-impact RGB-lit blasts for drops, transitions, and headliner moments
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Nightclubs & DJ Sets — Sync color-matched cryo blasts to beats and buildups
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Weddings & Grand Entrances — Dramatic first dance or entrance moments with soft-colored cryo fog
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Corporate Events & Product Launches — High-visibility reveal effects with branded color washes
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Sports Arenas & Esports — Player introductions, halftime hype, and victory celebrations
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Theater & Live Production — Precision-timed atmospheric blasts coordinated with lighting cues via DMX
Color the Cryo: 18 high-output RGB LEDs illuminate the CO₂ plume from the base, letting you color-match the effect to your lighting design — something standard CO₂ jets can't do.
Effect & Performance
| Effect Type |
LED CO₂ Cryo Jet |
| CO₂ Spray Height |
10–12 m (32–39 ft) |
| Spray Angle |
0–90° adjustable (hand thumbscrew) |
| Nozzle Design |
2nd-gen ice-free (no ice residue) |
| Max Operating Pressure |
1,400 PSI |
| Gas Requirement |
Siphon-tube CO₂ tank (required) |
LED System
| LED Configuration |
18 × 3W RGB LEDs |
| Illumination Range |
15–16 meters |
| Color Mixing |
Full RGB via DMX |
Control & Connection
| Control Modes |
DMX-512 (8 channels) / Power switch |
| DMX Connectors |
3-pin XLR In/Out |
| CO₂ Connection |
Dual 3/8″ quick-connect ports (both sides) |
| Hose Included |
6 m (20 ft) with CGA320 adapter |
| Voltage |
AC 110V/220V, 50/60Hz |
DMX Channel Map
| Channel |
Function |
| CH 1 |
Safety Interlock (values 100–155 = open; all others = closed) |
| CH 2 |
CO₂ Spray On/Off |
| CH 3 |
Red LED (0–255) |
| CH 4 |
Green LED (0–255) |
| CH 5 |
Blue LED (0–255) |
| CH 6 |
Color Mixing / Auto |
| CH 7 |
LED Strobe (0–255, slow → fast) |
| CH 8 |
Speed (slow → fast) |
⚠ Important: This machine requires a siphon-tube CO₂ tank (not a standard CO₂ tank). Verify with your gas supplier that the tank has an internal siphon tube before purchase.
In The Box
- 1x SurgeFX Vortex LED CO₂ Jet Machine
- 1x 6m (20 ft) High-Pressure Hose with CGA320 adapter + quick connector
- 1x Power Cord
- 1x Instruction Manual
What You'll Need
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Siphon-Tube CO₂ Tank — Available from industrial gas suppliers and welding supply shops (standard CO₂ tanks will not work)
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Power Source — 110–120V or 220–240V circuit
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DMX Controller — For synchronized show programming (optional for power control mode)
Dual Tank Ready: Two 3/8″ quick-connect ports allow simultaneous connection of two siphon tanks for zero-downtime switchovers during your show.
Stack the Effects
Combine the Vortex LED with other SurgeFX machines for layered production value:
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Cold Spark Machines — Pair cryo plumes with spark fountains for a fire-and-ice contrast
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Confetti Launchers — Layer confetti through illuminated cryo columns for multi-sensory celebration moments
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Stage Lighting — Match beam colors to the Vortex LED's RGB output for a fully coordinated light-and-cryo show
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Fog Machines — Build a low-lying fog base, then punch through it with vertical cryo columns for layered atmospheric depth
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CO₂ FX Collection — Run multiple Vortex LEDs in DMX-synced arrays, or combine with handheld CO₂ cannons for crowd-level blasts
Control
- Any DMX512 controller with 3-pin XLR output
What type of CO₂ tank do I need?
You need a siphon-tube CO₂ tank. This is critical — a standard CO₂ tank will not work correctly. Siphon tanks have an internal tube that draws liquid CO₂ from the bottom. Ask your gas supplier specifically for a siphon-tube tank. Most industrial gas suppliers and welding supply shops carry them.
How long does a tank last?
A 40L siphon CO₂ tank provides approximately 40 seconds of continuous spray. For typical event use with 3–5 second bursts, that's roughly 8–13 blasts per tank. Connecting two tanks via the dual ports doubles your capacity without any downtime.
Does it produce ice or leave residue?
No. The 2nd-generation ice-free nozzle eliminates ice slag completely. The CO₂ plume dissipates within seconds, leaving no moisture, residue, or cleanup required.
Can I use this indoors?
Yes. CO₂ is non-toxic and the effect dissipates quickly. Ensure adequate ventilation in enclosed spaces, as heavy CO₂ use displaces oxygen. Keep blasts to the recommended 10-second maximum and allow time between bursts.
Can I connect two jets to one tank?
Yes. A single siphon CO₂ tank can feed two Vortex LED jets using a Y-splitter hose. Contact us for custom hose lengths and splitter configurations.
What's different from a standard CO₂ jet without LEDs?
The Vortex LED adds 18 high-output RGB LEDs that illuminate the cryo plume from the base, turning white CO₂ clouds into colored light columns. It also features the 2nd-gen ice-free nozzle, 30% greater spray distance (10–12m vs 8–10m), and 8-channel DMX for full color and spray control. Browse our full CO₂ FX collection to compare options.
Is the 3/8″ hose connector interchangeable with other CO₂ jets?
The Vortex LED uses 3/8″ LSQ-S1-03SF quick connectors. These are not interchangeable with all CO₂ jet models. If you're adding this to an existing setup, verify connector compatibility or contact us for adapter options.
How long can I spray continuously?
Keep bursts under 10 seconds to protect the solenoid valve and maximize equipment life. The machine is designed for short, high-impact blasts — not sustained spraying.
Best for "Hit" Moments
The Vortex LED excels at short 3–5 second blasts timed to drops, buildups, walkouts, and reveals. Short bursts are more impactful than sustained sprays and extend your tank life significantly.
Color-Match Your Lighting Rig
Program the Vortex LED's RGB output to complement your wash lights, beams, and spots. A red cryo blast through a red-washed stage is far more dramatic than white CO₂ in colored light.
Use the Safety Interlock
Always program CH1 (values 100–155) as your master enable. This prevents accidental firing during setup, soundcheck, and scene changes. It's a built-in safety layer — use it.
Mind the Angle
90° (straight up) gives maximum height for outdoor festivals. 45° angles create dramatic sweeping arcs for club environments. Experiment during soundcheck to find the sweet spot for your venue.
Dual-Tank for Headliners
Always run two tanks for high-profile sets. When the first tank empties, close its valve and open the second — seamless switchover. Nothing kills a moment like an empty tank during the main drop.
Tank Storage
CO₂ tanks perform best stored upright in cool (not freezing) conditions. A warm tank produces lower-pressure output and shorter plumes.
Maintenance
Inspect the high-pressure hose and quick connectors before each use for wear, cracks, or damage. Check for gas leaks after connecting tanks. Wipe down the LED array after each use to maintain full brightness. Store dry with hose loosely coiled — never kink the high-pressure hose.
⚠ Safety: Never aim directly at people at close range — the CO₂ exit temperature is extremely cold. Maintain a minimum 4-meter safety distance from the nozzle to any person. Always close the tank valve first and vent residual gas before disconnecting hoses.
