Storing a Scuba Tank

[Cr.padlo]

Howdy,

This summer my parents have decided that I am flying home instead of them having to drive all the way from Chicago to College Station, Texas and back (~2000 miles roundtrip). I own all my gear, and I will be flying it home (I'm planning on wearing my weight belt on the flight instead of putting it in my backpack or trying to use up my available weight limit for luggage). I know that having a scuba tank on a flight is an enormous hassle. Because I am flying, I do have a climate controlled storage unit for the summer. What are my options? How would I go about having my tank be complainant with TSA requirements and if I store it for the summer, what considerations do I need?

 

[BRT]

Pull the valve and you can check it. Store it. No tricks.

 

[Cr.padlo]

Thanks for the reply!

I would like to note that I am in Texas for college. Aside from having the tank at a low pressure such as 500 psi, do you think that is sufficient? The unit is climate controlled, if that helps. Also, should I store it vertically or laying on its side?

And for the valve if I decide to fly it, what are the associated costs/fees with having the valve removed and preventing rust/damage while the valve is off? And I assume I would need to have it Visually inspected before having the valve put back on?

 

[BRT]

Thanks for the reply!

I would like to note that I am in Texas for college. Aside from having the tank at a low pressure such as 500 psi, do you think that is sufficient? The unit is climate controlled, if that helps. Also, should I store it vertically or laying on its side?

And for the valve if I decide to fly it, what are the associated costs/fees with having the valve removed and preventing rust/damage while the valve is off? And I assume I would need to have it Visually inspected before having the valve put back on?

I have had several steel tanks shipped to me and have carried a bunch of aluminum tanks to Mexico. I put tape over the hole but TSA removes it to look. I've never had any rust issues. If you can get some air into it after replacing the valve an over religious fill guy won't know anything about the temporary lack of air. I'd sure look inside to make sure there is no debris. I store mine standing up but it won't matter if it is dry and they are dry inside. These things are pretty water resistant, actually.

 

[Cr.padlo]

Thanks so much! I know I'm being over cautious, but as this is my first time storing a tank for an extended period of time in which I don't have access to it, I want to make sure I'm not going to damage my tank... thanks for all the advice!

 

[snowdog61]

Clear packing tape over the hole usually eliminates TSA from having to remove it but put a courtesy tab on it any ways. You may be able to get a thread plug from your LDS as they typically are tossed when someone buys a new tank and the valve gets installed. Put the valve on and get some pressure in it if you can before you store. Some shops insist on a VIP for a flat tank but draining a tank down is what is done for partial pressure nitrox fills all the time with no ill effects. Keeping it sealed from humidity is the goal

 

[oldschoolto]

You will mostly not be able to wear your wieght belt... It will be seen as a possible weapon... They would not let my wife carry a coral rock on the plane for that reason..

Jim..

 

[tbone1004]

I would leave the weights and tank at home. If it's steel, it doesn't really matter what pressure it's at, if it's aluminum, I think Luxfer's official recommendation is to store at 300psi

 

[Cr.padlo]

Really? I've flown with weights in my backpack before, but not while wearing my belt...thanks for the tip!

 

[tbone1004]

Really? I've flown with weights in my backpack before, but not while wearing my belt...thanks for the tip!

if you're going to have to rent/borrow tanks, why not just rent the weights with it? a lot of shops throw it in with rental tanks anyway