Buying or renting tanks?

[Scuba_Noob]

Beginner Question:

I'm also in the process of buying used tanks from a reputable dive shop this weekend.

I've already decided I'll buy steel. I've been diving only with Al80s my entire dive "career", so should I just get steel 80s or can I go a larger tank? Would it affect me a lot if I went to 85s or even 100?

I'd like to do two dives each time I go out. Should I just get two tanks? (Yes, I know that seems like a self-explanatory answer, but I just want to cover my bases).

Are most steel tanks low pressure or high pressure? Would it be difficult getting it filled more with low or high pressure tanks or does it not make a difference?

Lastly, all I really need to check is the last hydro and the last yearly inspection, as well as do a visual inspection on the outside rust, right?

Thanks. If I can't get an answer here, I may just ask this somewhere else in the forum.

 

[Hostage]

I second craigslist. I just picked up an LP85 and three AL 80's for 80USD... They all needed hydro but they were all in great condition.

Get a used tank, take the tank boot off, inspect the tank thoroughly from the outside for condition clues, or even make a deal that if it doesn't pass hydro there is some sort of refund (people occasionally go for this). Avoid old Luxfer bad alloy tanks and your good to go (there are tons of threads on this). Empty tanks and any external signs of rust raise flags for me but they are really just an indicator of increased risk that the tank will need more than a hydro and VIP (and possibly that they wont pass).

Fill cards cut down the cost too.

As for value? I still have my first AL80 and its in great shape, brand new for 80 bucks back in 1999. Life of a modern tank is pretty long and when you want out you can sell it on and cash out.

Here a link with the search rochester, NY all for sale / wanted classifieds "scuba" - craigslist

I notice there's a guy with two tanks for 50 in your area.

I saw the add for the two tanks for $50 each and I am really wondering if it is worth it for that much. The store is offering me the same size tanks for $125 and they are in VIP and Hydro. Also one of them is missing a valve knob. I think after the cost of having those tanks hydro'ed tested and VIP, it might be about the same. I also won't get the same gurantee with the tanks from the business. I see some guy selling due 95's for $550. I am wondering if I can split them up and use them seperately. I want to dive some of the St. Lawrance wrecks.

I just spoke to one guy selling a tank there he has a Luxfer 80CF AL tank 3000PSI, though it is out of hydro. He told me to offer him a price. I really can't see paying that much for one. It was made in 99. I also feel worried about AL fatigue, which still dosen't get.

 

[spoolin01]

Beginner Question:

I'm also in the process of buying used tanks from a reputable dive shop this weekend.

I've already decided I'll buy steel. I've been diving only with Al80s my entire dive "career", so should I just get steel 80s or can I go a larger tank? Would it affect me a lot if I went to 85s or even 100?

I'd like to do two dives each time I go out. Should I just get two tanks? (Yes, I know that seems like a self-explanatory answer, but I just want to cover my bases).

Are most steel tanks low pressure or high pressure? Would it be difficult getting it filled more with low or high pressure tanks or does it not make a difference?

Lastly, all I really need to check is the last hydro and the last yearly inspection, as well as do a visual inspection on the outside rust, right?

Thanks. If I can't get an answer here, I may just ask this somewhere else in the forum.

When I was in your shoes, I knew that I usually ran out of air with an Al80 before bottom time, since my dives were typically 40-60 ft, so I went for 120 cu ft tanks, and I'm still glad I did. There's quite a weight difference among various tanks, so if carry weight or weight on your back topside is a concern, look into the trade-offs (there are tables of tank specs). The HP100 (the special exemption versions, not the DOT 3AA versions, which are less commonly found anyway) sits in a pretty sweet spot. If you want more air, the weight goes up significantly.

I found it difficult to get full HP fills around here. The solution is either get a bigger tank, or go LP, or both. Many are lucky enough to live near shops that will give full HP fills, or even more.

When I buy a used tank, I take a small light and ask to look inside as well. Water can do a lot of damage inside a steel tank.

 

[Nwcid]

I am just getting into diving. So I may not have a clue what I am talking about here.

We have a local dive club that has a "fill station" (not sure proper name yet). If you join the club you get to fill your own tanks for free. They rent a space in the back of a fire station so you can have access any time. Sounds like the fee is $50/year. Might be worth looking into if there is something similar in your area.

 

[diveprof]

I'm a big steel tank fan, but 72's - not. Stick with the steel 100s. If your significant other gripes about the cost just remind her/him it is life support equipment (didn't work for me either -worth a shot though )

 

[gcarter]

I originally had no intentions of owning tanks. Then I looked at actual costs: 2 tanks each, me and son, = $60 for the day. Fills only would be half that. Plus only one trip to fill rather than one to pick up and one to return.

LDS had a deal that could not be beat. AL80's from their rental fleet, 5 years old, they do the hydro / vip, $150 and INCLUDES $150 of air fill cards. In other words, by pre-paying for 20 fills, I get a 5 year old tank in fully checked out condition.

I bought 4 (and picked one up for a friend).

 

[spectrum]

The bling of owning comes in the convenience of having it standing by and then being able to go for fills at your convenience. Depending on your ability to dive spontaneously and proximity to your shop along with their hours the payback in mileage expenses alone can justify owning.

Forget about hydro, it's amortized over 5 years, inescapably like death &takes and amounts to a rounding error.

Pretty much the same with VIP, if you don't use it enough to have the cost drop below $100/dive then you need to be diving more.

If you can rent for $20/weekend with unlimited fills that's a hard deal to beat on weekends where you dive more than a few dives. How do get a single cylinder refilled short of diving at the shop or driving a lot? If your renting several at $20/weekend it's not such a deal.

What are your rental options? AL86 & 65? By owning you can get the material, size and pressure of your choice and remain configured for it.

What to buy? I don't know, what capacity do you need for a good dive based on your style & usage? IMO HP steel is a nice way to go. there arguments in favor of LP. You don't need to dig deep to find threads picking that apart. Don't let what the shop has lying around be the decision makes. You have some serous $$ invested in the sport. Get what's right, the difference will be a drop in the bucket.

You're heading into the off season, watch Craigslist for deals.

Pete

 

[Bob DBF]

The shop has some used tanks that they are willing to sell two 72CF LP tanks for $125 each, what do you guys think of that?

Since you are thinking of that price, buy a couple of brand new AL80's online at $150 ea to use and then learn about finding good deals on used steel tanks at your leisure. Paying $125 for a 72, even with this years hydro and vip, is just wrong. The last 72 I saw change hands was for $0 and it was a couple of months from hydro and vip (it passed when due). Without experience looking over and pricing tanks you can get burned on buying used.

When I first bought tanks I could get two AL80s for a bit more than one 72, not as many choices back then. Being on a budget, I went for the most air for the buck. Since then I have aquired a number of pre-owned steel tanks over the years. Although I perfer to dive steel, the ALs have come in handy on weekend trips to spots that have no fill station.

As you aquire tanks you will find that it is hard to have to many.


Bob
-------------------------------
I may be old, but I’m not dead yet.

 

[doctormike]

Beginner Question:

I've already decided I'll buy steel. I've been diving only with Al80s my entire dive "career", so should I just get steel 80s or can I go a larger tank? Would it affect me a lot if I went to 85s or even 100?

Good questions, Scuba_Noob!

When you say, "would it affect me", to answer that question we would need to know more about your diving... If you have great air consumption, and usually end dives because of bottom time limits (unusual in a newer diver), then I guess you don't need more gas - although it always helps to have extra in case of emergencies.

Going from, for example, an HP80 to and HP100 will give you 25% more gas, simple as that. But there are always tradeoffs... bigger tanks usually mean heavier tanks, so you need to figure out if you can (1) carry it across the boat deck or down to the beach, etc... and (2) figure out how it will affect your weighting, which depends on your exposure suit, size, etc..

This table may be helpful.

I'd like to do two dives each time I go out. Should I just get two tanks? (Yes, I know that seems like a self-explanatory answer, but I just want to cover my bases).

I can't think of anyone who has their own tanks who only has one. I guess if you just did the occasional beach dive, that might be OK. But generally when you make the commitment to take all your gear out, buy a boat ticket, etc.. for a day's diving, you want to at least get two dives in. Some dive boats have compressors on them, but they usually don't like running them just to refill a single tank for a half day trip - they are generally meant for multi-day trips.

 

[Hostage]

I was speaking to my LDS and he said he would sell me some used 95's for half the price of a new 95 ($350). It doesn't seem that bad, seeing that guy is trying to sell his two 95's for $550 on Clist.