Visual/Hydro $

[scubadogs]

I just had a set of aluminum Luxfer 63's given to me by a friend. How much should I be paying to have them gone over and brought up to par on Hydro/Visual ? The tanks are 04' and 05' , were only used a couple of times and still had air in them. I don't have Nitrox cert. yet but should I have them cleaned and prepared for Nitrox ?

 

[Scared Silly]

Going to the hydro shop yourself $20-$30, then to dive shop for the visual $10-$15. Some dive shops will arrange for the hydro and then rightfully add a bit for their time.

As for the nitrox cleaning. I would not at this point in time. If you get cert for nitrox up to 40% banked nitrox can be put in them before special handling is needed.

 

[Wayward Son]

my place runs about $25 for a hydro/VIP/nitrox fill

 

[deadly_risk]

I just had a tank hydrostatically tested today, it came out to $13.54 (at a fire extinguisher shop) and a $15 visual at my local dive shop.

Edit: That was a plain vis, no cleaning.

 

[scubafanatic]

my place runs about $25 for a hydro/VIP/nitrox fill

...that's pretty cheap, my preferred shop does hydro/vis/'air' fill @ $ 45 per tank, then $ 12-$15 for a Nitrox fill, although as an 'air' fill retails for $ 6, it might be only another $ 6 - $ 9 to 'upgrade' to Nitrox.

 

[eelnoraa]

I don't know where you guys are. Here in CA, hydro/viz will cost $50 at least. Please let me know where to get hydro/viz for $25

 

[mike_s]

If I take it to a LDS, then $25 for hydro and $10 for a vis.

taking it to the hydro facility directly, $12 to $15 (can't remember for sure). A hydro, vis and fill runs $22 to $25. (but they don't o2 clean, so you have to go to the LDS for that).

The benefit of going through my LDS is that they clean the cylinder (not o2 clean, but just general clean), if needed. They also are open till 6pm and open on Saturdays. so easier to drop off and pick up than at hydro facility, which I think closes at 4:30pm.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

I don't know where you guys are. Here in CA, hydro/viz will cost $50 at least. Please let me know where to get hydro/viz for $25

$50 seems rather steep. Is that at a local dive shop?

Find a hydrotesting facility that services all kinds of compressed gas cylinders (not a scuba shop). This is the off-site place that a local dive shop takes your tank. The mark-up for the convenience factor of dropping off/picking up the tank at the LDS can be surprising.

 

[Wayward Son]

SE Alabama

 

[scubadogs]

Thank you all for your input. This time I just went the easy route of the local dive shop and paid $49 and change per tank for hydro/visual and air fill. The process takes 2 weeks and I will be done with Hydro for the next 5 years. Next time I will shop around for the non dive shop method to save a little cash. Then again I may just be lazy and take them back to the dive shop ( 2 miles from my house ) and help the owner fund his new 57' Sportfisher !