How much would you pay for a Steel Tank

[Web Monkey]

What would you pay for a lp steel 72 with a current hydro (lets say a late 80' mfg date).

And would you buy that or a just a new one for $200

Do you actually want a 72? If you're planning on spending money on a tank, you should at least get some extra bottom time . . .

Terry

 

[Montana Diver]

Buying a tank that has current hydro doesn't say much about the internals. I would certainly want a new VIP. Then the tank would be worth something around $100 or less based on buying a tank for $60 and having to spend $35 for hydro and $10 for VIP.

Richard

+1 Hydro and VIP are completely different. I have seen tanks pass hydro testing, however they fail VIP due to various problems. If you have the opportunity to watch the VIP, you will have a greater respect for good fill stations. I have seen 4 year old steel tanks that needed hours of tumbling and whipping to get them ready, while a recent steel nitrox tank was flawless on the inside. VIP for steel is critical.

 

[oly5050user]

how much to pay for a steel 72?,...if in very recent hydro and vip, anywhere from $25.-$40.

 

[captain]

Let me get this straight: part of Florida won't fill steel tanks at all and the other part will gladly overfill them?

There's just no hope...

Richard

Insanity rules when it comes to scuba tanks.

 

[JohnB47]

If you are talking about the old 6.9" diameter "72" tanks that were rated at 2250+ psi, you should know that these held 71.2 cu. ft. at the 10% overfill pressure of 2475 psi. So if it has not received the "+" at the last hydro, it will only hold 64.7 cu. ft. It would be more appropriate to call these tanks "65's". But with reasonable care, they will last just about forever - I have two of them that are about 40 years old, and they still pass the hydro.

 

[elan]

Do you actually want a 72? If you're planning on spending money on a tank, you should at least get some extra bottom time . . .

Terry

The bottom time is not always limited by gas. What's the point of carrying that extra weight all the time if you do not use it.

My wife returns with half an AL80 tank every time we go on a recreational dive. We return not because we do not have gas but because we get to NDL. LP66 was a solution. She loves them now. weights 7 lbs less then the AL + 5 lb less lead that's almost 20 lb less weight to carry on the boat for a 2 tank dive.

I love them too as I can get an 30' shore dive lasting an hour and they weight just a bit more than a pony bottle.

 

[rstofer]

The old LP72 doesn't offer much for the cold water diver. It is around neutral buoyancy and without the '+' rating it doesn't hold much air. However, it is terrific for use in the pool. You don't need a BC and you don't need weights. Just tighten the harness and go for it!

These tanks might be useful for warm water diving but they don't hold a lot of air. But if diving is essentially free (there's another dive any time you want) then these tanks are great! You might need a BC but only if you have to hang around on the surface waiting to get on the boat.

These LP 72s are nothing like the modern small tanks but they have a place around here and in the history books.

Richard

 

[shogan]

Yes, think I'll pass on them he wants to much and way to many variables.

Looks like I'll be doing a lot of diving in an area with no chance to refill so I need to find a 110 or better and try to squeek 2 dives out of 1 tank.

I just bought my daughter an AL50 becasue she 4'6" tall and weighs 53lbs wet and that will be enough for her to manage. Might have to buy her another tankl.

Thanks for the input. And we will be doing all warm shallow mostly fresh water diving.

 

[halocline]

These tanks might be useful for warm water diving but they don't hold a lot of air.

These LP 72s are nothing like the modern small tanks but they have a place around here and in the history books.

Richard

Actually, they hold about almost as much air as the world's most popular rental tank (AL80), and with a very slight overfill they hold more. They have a fantastic capacity to weight ratio especially considering buoyancy characteristics, and make great small doubles. They also have a very long life-span with many in service for more than 50 years.

So I guess you're right, they are nothing like modern small tanks, they're much better.

 

[onefastpony]

Was wondering what a fair price would be for steel 130's that will need hydro soon. A local guy is selling about six of them for 150 each. is this a good deal?