I have eight tanks needing hydros soon in Los Angeles and could use a recommendation or two . Since hydros seem to be a third party affair a lot of trust need to be with the scuba store . Like all o rings are not created equal , Parker rules in my sphere . good times Rumdumb
Visuals and Hydros
- Thread starter Eastwest
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OP
I have had while waiting for one air fill a $100 dollar charge no questions asked for a dubious reason. This being a tecky shop gave me back my tank after performing a visual and fill with a bulging o ring , not good , only for a catastrophic dive . This shop is no longer having me as their client . I wish to support my local dive store but have my own skin in the game . So looking for a good dive shop that I can trust with my life in the Los Angeles area . Hippydum California
captain
Contributor
Only trust yourself with your life.
Scuba Lawyer
Contributor
Take your tanks to Open Water Habitat in Santa Ana. Tell Gary I sent you. They do all hydros and visuals in-house. They do all my vintage tanks. A 38 cu ft born 1944 just passed. 
OP
Thank you for your good advice .
dlao
Contributor
I have a lot of tanks and only go to two shops in LA for hydro: Pacific Wilderness and Eco Dive Center. Never had any issues. Both charge less than 40 for a hydro + VIP + fill. PW has in-house hydro facilities, and ECO sends the tanks to Spectrum Gas every Thursday.
If you have 8 tanks, better buy a pack of valve orings online (should be quite cheap) and let the dive shop change them before the gas fill. I don't think hydro facilities really change your valve's oring.
If you have 8 tanks, better buy a pack of valve orings online (should be quite cheap) and let the dive shop change them before the gas fill. I don't think hydro facilities really change your valve's oring.
OMyMyOHellYes
Contributor
Can't say universally, but any reputable VIP shop will change out the valve o-ring with every inspection. Part of the price. I tend to change it any time a valve is removed (like air travel with a pony bottle) but I may be overly obsessed with integrity of rubber things.
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