What to look for when buying tanks

[LAKelpDiver]

One of my dive buddies and I watched Craigslist and Ebay closely over a couple month period and ended up with six Faber LP95's at an average price of $153 each. That average price includes necessary hydro's, tumbling, and vip's for the tanks that needed that. We did get one other in the process that did not pass hydro and we got our money back as agreed to with the seller.

We used hydro date, valve type, and vip dates to get the prices knocked down, I'm sure you could do the same for what ever you really want. The deals are out there, you just have to wait for them.

 

[Bob DBF]

Although Al 80's are not ideal, I dove them for years off the Mendo and Sonoma coast for years because I wanted to do two dives before finding a fill and my budget was tight. I like the steels I have now much better but I'll still dive the AL's when I run out of the steels.



Bob
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I my be old, but I'm not dead yet.

 

[Peter_C]

What is the cost difference between renting a tank vs getting a fill? I believe it is only a dollar or two. Which means zero savings since you have to pay for a vis and hydro. The benefit of owning is not having to go the day of or the day before to pickup the tank. I will claim ignorance since I bought two HP100 tanks before I got certified, and have never rented a tank locally.

For that matter I am curious what is the cost of a fill in Marin and Sonoma these days?

 

[milbournosphere]

Here, at my LDS, the cost of a fill is $4 (with fill card), and I *believe* to rent the Alu80 is $7. They also rent steel hp100s and hp120s. It cost me $25 to hydro each of my 80cu tanks. Depending how often one dives, buying the 80s could pay for themselves somewhat quickly and be worth it just for the convenience of not having to go to the shop every time one wants to dive. Peter, I see what you're saying about the benefits of the larger steel tank. I myself am looking to pick one up now that I am starting to dive deeper sites. I like the idea of more bottom time and less weight on my belt . However, if one is cashed strapped, I think buying the 80s would be a better solution than renting until one saves enough cash for a steel tank or two. Granted, I'm also on the other side of the state so our water isn't nearly as cold.

 

[poomero]

I think if the price is right, owning all your gear is better than renting. As far as it being convenient to own your tanks rather than renting them so you don’t have to go to the shop before a dive makes no sense to me. You have to go to the shop and get them filled before you use them anyway. Yes you can go any time to do this but you still have to go to the shop. I think tanks should be the last thing you buy because it is so cheap to rent them. I think it’s $10 to rent and $7 to fill so not a big difference(in Novato). Like I said if the price is right I would rather own all my gear.

 

[milbournosphere]

For me the advantage is on those weekday dives after work. I'd rather get in the water quickly and then fill them later over the weekend than have to worry about detouring to get to the shop, renting the tank, driving to the beach and getting into the water before the sun sets. Unless I am looking for a night dive, that is. During the summer it's not too hard, but in the winter the sun sets earlier here, making timing a little more important.