Storing steel tanks without valves on them

[flymolo]

Should I be concerned about storing steel tanks without any valves on them for a few days?

Some backstory- I broke apart a set of steel doubles to have the tanks hydroed. I've got them back from hydro and the tanks were dried by the facility, however it's going to be a few days before I can tumble, o2 clean, vip and reassemble them. Just wondering how long I can leave them and if there's anything I can/should do to protect the insides of the tanks in the interim. I unfortunately don't have any plugs on hand.

 

[parzdiver]

If they are dried and you are going to tumble and O2 clean them anyway, I don't see how leaving them unsealed will be any kind of problem. You can tape the holes or put the valves in loosely if you want to keep out any dust.

 

[tbone1004]

make sure you tape or plug the holes or just put the valves in and take them back out later.

 

[BoltSnap]

I use a piece of plastic from a plastic bag to cover the hole and tape it with masking tape. I don't like to use the masking tape to cover the hole directly.

 

[flymolo]

good solutions, thanks all

 

[ScubaBunga]

I'd keep them inside (as dry a place as possible) out of as much humidity as possible. Other than that, what everyone else said.

 

[rhwestfall]

Tape works fine, but I'd ask a LDS if they have any shipping plugs lying around. Nice to have......

 

[Tracy]

I have tanks sitting without valves for years, it won't hurt them at all if they are dry.

 

[Jonn]

Why not just screw those valves back in? If you’re going to tumble, clean, and inspect them later it hardly matters anyway.

 

[captain]

I had a tank sitting outside under a roof for years with out a valve. When I went to put it back in service it looked just like the day I put it there.