Need advice...
- Thread starter dave22387
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OP
Ok will do. What do I do if they aren't terrible?
Scared Silly
Contributor
I know you said the hydro shop failed the cylinder - but until that is verified and if the cylinder is XXX out you are in limbo. If XXX out you are done but it looks like the seller is being amiable. If not XXX out then you have the option of a second opinion, which then follow my original reply and go directly to the hydro shop with the cylinder.
OP
The hydro shop is the one who failed it
halocline
Contributor
You need to see if the tank was condemned by a registered DOT inspection shop, in which case they would stamp XXX on it. If that's the case, you're out of luck. But I think it's more likely that either the dive shop is just blaming it on the hydro or that someone at the hydro shop is making a 'judgement' call on your tank. You would not believe how full of $h1t some dive shops and hydro testers are with regards to scuba tanks. So start by getting the tank back, if it is not marked condemned, simply find a better hydro facility and take it there yourself. Skip the dive shop part. Maybe it's fine, of so then when it comes back get a VIS sticker from a different dive shop and continue enjoying life.
If the hydro shop did condemn it, there will be a written report explaining why they did so. If you don't get that from the dive shop, insist on calling the hydro facility yourself and they'll give it to you. Then you can take that to another hydro shop to see if they concur. It's a big pain in the you-know-where. I've been in a similar situation, and believe me, there are some real knuckle-draggers out there. Some very knowledgeable people too, I'm not trying to be too negative.
The reason for this long missive is because what you're describing, structural pitting on the exterior of an AL scuba tank, is rare in any sort of 'normal' climate or use. And these tanks are only a few years old. If they were 20 yr old steel tanks with a compromised finish and some rust bubbling up underneath paint, that's a very different story. But one of the big selling points of AL tanks is that they are corrosion resistant without any finish.
If the hydro shop did condemn it, there will be a written report explaining why they did so. If you don't get that from the dive shop, insist on calling the hydro facility yourself and they'll give it to you. Then you can take that to another hydro shop to see if they concur. It's a big pain in the you-know-where. I've been in a similar situation, and believe me, there are some real knuckle-draggers out there. Some very knowledgeable people too, I'm not trying to be too negative.
The reason for this long missive is because what you're describing, structural pitting on the exterior of an AL scuba tank, is rare in any sort of 'normal' climate or use. And these tanks are only a few years old. If they were 20 yr old steel tanks with a compromised finish and some rust bubbling up underneath paint, that's a very different story. But one of the big selling points of AL tanks is that they are corrosion resistant without any finish.
OP
Will do thanks for the advice
YES! In reading the original post, and some of the responses, I was struck by the fact that pitting sufficient to cause a competent hydro facility to reject the cylinder for testing is extraordinarily rare. Honestly, if you were to take an AL cylinder, immerse it in salt water for a day, then let in dry out in the sun / air without rinsing, and repeat that procedure dozens / hundreds of times, it would be hard to stimulate pitting that you describe. That's not to say impossible, just VERY improbable. I would want a second opinion.
OP
Will do thanks!!!
LeadTurn_SD
Contributor
1+ to what Halocline and Colliam7 said!
As I read through all the replies, I had to double check that you were referring to a near-new Al 80, not a 40 year old steel 72.... If the tank is indeed severely pitted, I'd wonder what the heck besides salt water had gotten under the tank boot....
I dive some OLD Al 80's that have had boots on them for years before I got them, and only very slight scuff marks beneath the boot.... (but I removed and threw away the boots!)....
I just have trouble imagining that kind of pitting on an AL 80, but I guess it could happen in the right conditions...
Good luck!
As I read through all the replies, I had to double check that you were referring to a near-new Al 80, not a 40 year old steel 72.... If the tank is indeed severely pitted, I'd wonder what the heck besides salt water had gotten under the tank boot....
I dive some OLD Al 80's that have had boots on them for years before I got them, and only very slight scuff marks beneath the boot.... (but I removed and threw away the boots!)....
I just have trouble imagining that kind of pitting on an AL 80, but I guess it could happen in the right conditions...
Good luck!
Or you could look at it that you paid 120 for one tank and an extra valve.not a great deal but saved some.
I think you are out of luck with the return but I totally agree, there is a silver lining to everything! If they are still O2 cleaned DIN valves, that could fetch a shiny penny.
Maybe instead of scrapping it you could turn it into a grill!
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