Any tank suitable for diving?

[MyronGanes]

Are these tanks on amazon safe, reliable and suitable for diving? They seem pretty cheap. Are there difference between scuba life support tanks and other tanks just used for storage of a gas? Thanks


Amazon.com : 80cf Scuba Diving Tank - New Aluminum Cylinder with Combo Valve : Sports & Outdoors

 

[Steve_C]

New scuba tanks are new scuba tanks. $170 is typical. Often easy to pick up a used AL80.

 

[Doc Harry]

Are there difference between scuba life support tanks and other tanks just used for storage of a gas?

Well, yes and no.

Physically, there is no difference, a high-pressure vessel is a high-pressure vessel

Storage cylinders that never see the water do not have the same inspection and maintenance requirements as dive cylinders.

 

[Littlerayray]

Because your in Canada make sure it has the markings T.C. it stands for transport canada almost any dive shop in canada will refuse to fill a tank that is not transport canada aproved

 

[Kharon]

Well, yes and no.

Physically, there is no difference, a high-pressure vessel is a high-pressure vessel ...

Not true. The neck threads are different. A Scuba valve will not thread into a medical tank.

 

[kelemvor]

$167 (the amazon price) isn't particularly cheap. That's about the price you'd pay at any dive shop, at least in Florida. I'm all for shopping online if you get a better price - and usually you do with scuba gear. If you're going to pay full price, support a local shop in the process.

Also, you're going to have to pay someone to do a visual inspection and put a sticker on it. Most shops give that away free when you buy the tank from that shop. They also usually give you a fill for free. In the end, you'll spend more buying this tank online because of this.


If you look you should be able to find better prices. A shop near me (Bill Jackson's Shop for Adventure) sells AL80's for $120 every year at an annual sale they hold. Those include VIP and come full. Personally I'd be looking to find an al80 closer to that price if I were buying new.

 

[Basking Ridge Diver]

Are these tanks on amazon safe, reliable and suitable for diving?

I have bought used AL80s (one for $100 the other for $80) from a dive shop as well - came with viz and hydro.

It may be worth looking first at your LDS, Scubaboard has a section for used tanks, ebay, Amazon, craigs list...

But first you want to do some research on what tank works well for your diving or what other divers are using in your area.

I personally own 4 AL 80's, 2 LP Steel 85's, 2 AL 19 ponies and I am about to purchase 2 LP Steel 72's.
2 AL 80s are from 1970's and bought when I first started diving, 2 AL 80's are newer because I needed to buy some tanks for my son (certified 3 years ago), I love LP 85's but only because I fill my own air and can squeeze a whole lot a air in them, Ponies are needed for Solo, 2 LP 72's because some of the shore diving I do I would like to squeeze a bit more air as well as lose some of the weight of the tank... So every tank is different - AL 80s are very common and will last a long time...

Dont buy because you think you will lose the deal - buy because it is what you need...

 

[Doc Harry]

Not true. The neck threads are different. A Scuba valve will not thread into a medical tank.

Not relevant. You're talking about regulators. The OP is talking about cylinders.

A scuba valve also won't screw into a HC-4500 storage tank, but that incompatibility is irrelevant. A high-pressure vessel for underwater scuba is no different than a high-pressure vessel for scuba gas storage, except inspection requirements. If you could modify a scuba regulator to fit an oxygen cylinder for scuba use then an oxygen cylinder would work fine.

 

[Bob DBF]

I notice you are from Canada, you may also want to factor in any duty or taxes involved when importing it.

Bob