Buying used AL80 cylinder?

[MattMc3223]

Hey all, I am a fairly new diver ( and am new to the website) and I am still learning about everything about diving and the gear. I’m looking to buy two used AL80 tanks. I found a guy on FB marketplace selling tanks. Both tanks are under the current hyrdo VIP and O2 clean for nitrox. They looks from the outside good, but they were manufactured in 2005. Should I be worried about the age? I will also be using the tanks for Nitrox. Thank you!

 

[Tracy]

2005 isn't old in the world of tanks. They will likely be fine.

 

[sea_ledford]

Age, wise they are probably fine, in vis and hydro are both good. My recommendation for used AL tanks though is to not spend more on them than you are willing to lose.

New can be purchased for $250, depending on where you are and expiration dates of the hydro and vis, that could easily run you $100-150 to get re-done, so if they are more than $100 or so each, may not be worth it. Lots of variables in there that make used tanks a steal or completely not worth it. If they have to be re-cleaned for nitrox, they'll certainly not be worth it. But you can't tell that from the outside unfortunately.

 

[Scott G. Bonser]

2005 isn't old in the world of tanks. They will likely be fine.

Check the stamping on top to cross check if safe for hydro or filling from Dive shops. Your dive shop will know the dates and manufacturer to be aware of. I have 3 I can’t get hydroed or fill.

 

[Zef]

Check the stamping on top to cross check if safe for hydro or filling from Dive shops. Your dive shop will know the dates and manufacturer to be aware of. I have 3 I can’t get hydroed or fill.

The OP mentioned the tanks were manufactured in 2005. This is after the period where 6351 alloy was used for manufacturing Scuba cylinders and should not pose the problem you elude to. The issue that the OP might have is that an increasing number of shops seem to have decided that they prefer to not fill aluminum cylinders of any alloy that are at, near, or beyond 20 years old.

Given the age of the cylinders in question, I would advise the OP to invest their money in purchasing new AL80 cylinders or look elsewhere for a younger vintage of used AL80 cylinders. The gamble on the ones noted in the 1st post might pay out or the OP might find that the shops in their area won't fill them and they have a couple of rather large paperweights.

-Z

 

[TMHeimer]

I think my 4 (bought used) AL80s were new in the early '90s. They just passed hydro once again this year.

 

[SouthernSharktoothDiver]

So, my advice would be to call your local shop and ask them if they have any policy against filling tanks of that age and make. Some places do have stupid policies about not tanks over a certain age (imo a cash grab to sell more new tanks), so it pays to check. Also check with your local hydro test place, if you know who/where they are

 

[rick00001967]

i will just throw this out there.....did you consider renting instead of owning? you will need to be diving quite a bit to make it worth owning your own tanks, storing them, maintaining them etc

 

[Seaweed Doc]

i will just throw this out there.....did you consider renting instead of owning? you will need to be diving quite a bit to make it worth owning your own tanks, storing them, maintaining them etc

This is definitely worth considering. There may be more reasons than economic for making the decision.

Can you easily rent tanks 7 days a week? What if you get a call from a buddy that wants to dive tomorrow, a Sunday. But the LDS just shut down Saturday night and won't open until Monday morning? If you have lots of dive shops to choose from or your LDS is open 24/7, this isn't an issue.

 

[Richard Dayan]

Hey all, I am a fairly new diver ( and am new to the website) and I am still learning about everything about diving and the gear. I’m looking to buy two used AL80 tanks. I found a guy on FB marketplace selling tanks. Both tanks are under the current hyrdo VIP and O2 clean for nitrox. They looks from the outside good, but they were manufactured in 2005. Should I be worried about the age? I will also be using the tanks for Nitrox. Thank you!

I only buy new gear, diving is dangerous.