Safe to use former paintball tanks for scuba?

[SouthernSharktoothDiver]

Hey all,
Someone in my area is selling two scuba tanks (AL 80’s) marked “for paintball only” for cheap. Assuming the usual red flags check out (post 89, no sketchy look inside, etc), would it be safe to use these for scuba, and if so, would I need to get them O2 cleaned (I dive air) or what?
Thanks, SSD

 

[Bob DBF]

Hey all,
Someone in my area is selling two scuba tanks (AL 80’s) marked “for paintball only” for cheap. Assuming the usual red flags check out (post 89, no sketchy look inside, etc), would it be safe to use these for scuba, and if so, would I need to get them O2 cleaned (I dive air) or what?
Thanks, SSD

An AL80 is an AL80. Ask them where they get them filled, it may be the same dive shop you use. If they have their own fill station it may be more of a mess inside.

 

[broncobowsher]

Typically that marking is the get out of jail free card for the dive shop that is filling them. Knowing the people they are filling them for are not certified divers. If something goes wrong, they were clearly marked not to dive with them.

They should not have anything other than maybe some excessive contamination (oil, bad air, etc.) from being filled with a dirty, unfiltered compressor (if not filled at a dive shop).

Clean, inspect (moisture pitting from contamination), remove the labeling (probably the hardest part). Don't really see anything that would be a show stopper.

 

[SouthernSharktoothDiver]

Whelp, she sold out from under me, so I guess the question is moot

 

[broncobowsher]

Whelp, she sold out from under me, so I guess the question is moot

a.k.a. the problem solved itself.

 

[SouthernSharktoothDiver]

@broncobowsher yeah, truth is I really did not need to be buying those tanks. I currently have seven, and am fast running out of closet space

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

If they have current hydro, then VIP em, remove the paintball badging and use-em.

 

[broncobowsher]

@broncobowsher yeah, truth is I really did not need to be buying those tanks. I currently have seven, and am fast running out of closet space

Only 7? Keep searching. They are lonely.

 

[SouthernSharktoothDiver]

@broncobowsher Well, currently I have ten, as three of my cousin's tanks are living at my place until he finds a spot for them, so there's that. Plus a pony bottle and a 1973 AL 50? that's going to get made into a pool cue holder as soon as I find a way to cut through the flipping thing.

 

[happy-diver]

Mate instead of stripping lacquer off your cues and clacking them against each other and dislodging tips

And so if you want to buy tanks, learn about buying tanks before the tanks come up, so you can buy them

she sold out from under me

The fast worm eats the fish?