Simple questions on tank age...

[Externet]

Hello, good day !
You bought a new 80 cuft. aluminium tank in March-2004.
You used it a dozen dives that season and got its parking spot in your closet.
You had it out-of-the-closet, hydro tested in Oct-2007.
It got an approval stamp 10-07 and a decal for good visual.
After that, went again unused to your closet; since then not used by anyone, untouched, unwet, collecting dust, filled.

1 - You own a compressor. Would you use it refilled as it was just tested/inspected yesterday ?

Or would you go trough the inspection again ?

Similar question:
2 - Your new never-used 80 cuft. aluminium tank factory stamped 03-2004 has resided in your closet for 17 years untouched, never filled, never wet, valve closed.
Would you hydro-test/inspect before using it for first time in 2022 ?

 

[BRT]

No

 

[elan]

I would at least do a vis and rebuild the valve with the fresh lube and orings if you had air or 32 on it. If it has trimix I would check the o2 and he content and compare with the label to make sure the gas is ok then dive it and then vis and rebuild the valve.

 

[runsongas]

even if you have your own compressor, the hydro makes sense as it gives you the confidence the tank has no issues as a pressure vessel and the cost works out to only a few bucks per year.

 

[Couv]

I agree it should be opened up and visually inspected. If all looks good carry on. As it is the cycles on the cylinder that age it, I would have no problems filling it myself and diving it myself.

 

[Gone for diving]

Correct answer is no, get it tested and VIP,

Myself, would have a look inside and check it out, if I like what I see, then i would use it...

 

[Bob DBF]

Unless I really needed to dive the tank immediately, I'd have it hydroed. I'm not a stickler for a hydro being on time, if the tank looks good in and out, 3 hydros are a lot to skip, and that would bother me.

 

[michael-fisch]

I check (and hydro) my own tanks since having hydros/VIPs officially done on my 53 tanks+ 10 storage bottles would be more expensive than I want to spend. There are other things I'd prefer to waste my money on.

Michael

 

[SubseaSports]

Hydro yes for peace of mind.
Also, that O ring will likely leak. That's plenty of time to take a set and be less effective. I have seen a tank that sat for some time that the Oring extruded out and tank vented like the burst disc blew out.

 

[Gone for diving]

I have seen a tank that sat for some time that the Oring extruded out and tank vented like the burst disc blew out.

You have a picture?
I assume you are talking about the tank to valve oring.... ?
I don't see how the oring can extrude past the valve flange,
Unless it's the wrong valve or loose, or other damage,
A slow leak I can see,(oring cracked)