"Quick Hydro"

[Compressor]

Hello:

There used to be a dive shop in Lantana that did hydros in a short period of time (Palm Beach Hydro). It is apparently closed now.

Short of taking the tanks to a dive shop, anyone know where one can get tanks hydroed near Palm Beach/Stuart area in a short time period (3-5 days)?

Thank you

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I'm not aware of any. They may exist, I've just never encountered any options outside of the dive shops. I've only ever used the south FL dive shops. With Force-E if you get it there by Tue they get it back the next Tue and have it ready that day. At least that's been my experience. So it 'can' be as short as a week or close to 2 weeks.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

I remember a FB page I came across about a company in FL (1 guy is what it looked like) who did the same day hydro if you got it there early enough. It was a good page, he had videos of failed tanks with boatloads of corrosion in them, really interesting. I tried looking for his page a few months back and couldn't find it, but I couldn't remember the name of his company either

Not so much of a help I'm afraid...

 

[grantctobin]

I’d give Hydro Dave/Advanced Hydrotest a call. My guess is that he does the Force E hydros that Jim mentions above (as well as most of cave country). Unfortunately, he’s in Homossassa and a ~3hr drive from you.

 

[Jaan]

please let us know what you find, I'm also due for Hydro soon and in same general area.

 

[OceanEyes]

This shop is well south of you, (just a bit south of Ft. Lauderdale International Airport,) but did offer quick turnaround on hydros.

I've used Marc Buck's services a bit in the past, but at the time he ran a cash only business. That dissuaded me from giving him more of my custom as I didn't feel like going to a bank or ATM whenever one of my many tanks required servicing. According to his website, he now accepts credit cards.

Scuba Tank Services – Best Price and Fastest Turnaround

 

[Compressor]

Thank to you all. I will investigate.
I have a small spot in Stuart. But I am there only a week at a time so my 6 tanks need Hydros once q5 years. So I cannot take to dive shop and come back in a few months when I return.

Palm Beach Hydro was very convenient as I would drop off on a Monday and Pick up on a Wed. My record turn around time was once when I dropped off in morning only to pick up at noon.

Scuba Tank Services mentioned is not too far from me; 90 min drive if not too much traffic (when does that happen??!!).

Right now I am traveling so cannot get back. When I find something, I will let you all know.

Thank you.

 

[Capt Davy J]

Can't really help in your area, but you might try fire extinguisher services instead of dive shops.

This is the place I have used for the last 15 years for hydro's:

Tampa, FL - Protegis Fire & Safety

They do hydro's on Thursday's, drop off on Wed, pick up on Friday. Also, about half the price of local dive shops. Of course, you would still need to take the tanks to a dive shop, and they will charge for a visual and fill.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Can't really help in your area, but you might try fire extinguisher services instead of dive shops.

This is the place I have used for the last 15 years for hydro's:

Tampa, FL - Protegis Fire & Safety

They do hydro's on Thursday's, drop off on Wed, pick up on Friday. Also, about half the price of local dive shops. Of course, you would still need to take the tanks to a dive shop, and they will charge for a visual and fill.

Just a word to the wise... a lot of fire extinguisher places don't know or are inexperienced with the galvanized "round out" procedure. I called multiple places areond MD and they had no idea what I was talking about (and this was after taking tanks to a "regular" hydro shop and having 1 tank fail). If it's regular steel or Al tanks then no problem...

This is just my experience around here... I'm sure there's plenty of places (especially in FL) that are up to date in all that. Better to verify though.

 

[greeniguana]

Can't really help in your area, but you might try fire extinguisher services instead of dive shops.

This is the place I have used for the last 15 years for hydro's:

Tampa, FL - Protegis Fire & Safety

They do hydro's on Thursday's, drop off on Wed, pick up on Friday. Also, about half the price of local dive shops. Of course, you would still need to take the tanks to a dive shop, and they will charge for a visual and fill.

I don't remember what company I used, but the last time I had tanks hydro'd by a fire extinguisher place here in Tampa, but they didn't dry them. By the time I got them to my dive shop to be VIP'd/filled (less than 24 hrs) they all had to be tumbled to remove flash rust. This negated the cost savings, not worth the hassle.