grandpoobah
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I have a steal 120 that has been in my garage for about six months. How long can one store air or nitrox in a tank?
How long can gas keep in tank?
- Thread starter grandpoobah
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Good question, I have used a 2 month old fill and lived to tell about it 
Not sure how long before they expire though.
Not sure how long before they expire though.
Scared Silly
Contributor
They do not if you have been getting proper fills and have been maintaining your cylinders. That said about 20 years ago the U. of Rhode Island did some tests with steel cylinders, with salt water in them that rusted really fast resulting in a lower PPO2 that could have fatal consequences.
I analyzed the air out of a tank that was not used for over 40 years. It was the same as the day it was pumped. I didnt dive it because it was not full.
If the air was dry and clean when it was pump age is not a problem. I have used tanks that had air well over a year old.
The only big concern is if there was moisture or even salt water that would work as a catalyst for corrosion. It has been mentioned that a high level of oxidation (in a steel tank) could theoretically consume some of the oxygen, but I think that someone posted an analysis showing that enough O2 could not be consumed to make a difference.
If the air was dry and clean when it was pump age is not a problem. I have used tanks that had air well over a year old.
The only big concern is if there was moisture or even salt water that would work as a catalyst for corrosion. It has been mentioned that a high level of oxidation (in a steel tank) could theoretically consume some of the oxygen, but I think that someone posted an analysis showing that enough O2 could not be consumed to make a difference.
fweber
Contributor
How old is the air you are breathing right now?
What is it's Best Before date?
The air in your tanks "should" be a lot dryer and better filtered than what you're breathing right now. Assuming that the tank had no water in it when filled and that the compressor's filtration and drying were working properly......
I've dived some reasonably old air. And, I've found some old tanks that had horrible odors.
Giving it the sniff test and hooking up a reg for a few breaths should let you know if anything is terribly wrong with it. 6 months isn't all that long.
What is it's Best Before date?
The air in your tanks "should" be a lot dryer and better filtered than what you're breathing right now. Assuming that the tank had no water in it when filled and that the compressor's filtration and drying were working properly......
I've dived some reasonably old air. And, I've found some old tanks that had horrible odors.
Giving it the sniff test and hooking up a reg for a few breaths should let you know if anything is terribly wrong with it. 6 months isn't all that long.
BIGSAGE136
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I know it will keep for at least a year. O2 level will not change.
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Just check the born on date! Sorry... I had too...
DEEPLOU
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If this is a question you really need answered, then you are not diving frequently enough.
That said, you should donate your tanks to someone who does dive regularly.
That said, you should donate your tanks to someone who does dive regularly.
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