Buying older steel tanks?

N736RA · Feb 28, 2012

Right, so I saw this come up on craigslist: imgur: the simple image sharer[FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif] Two steel 72's, $80 for the pair. I know they are 25 years old and have been stored (inside) for 20, the seller agreed to give me my money back if they didn't pass hydro. Is this a fair price/advice?[/FONT]

[FONT=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]It should be noted I have no experience, but am planning on getting certified within the next month or so, largely prompted by my acquisition of some decent gear on the cheap over the last weekend ([/FONT]Hey r/scuba, how did I do? - Imgur , all that for 300 bucks! the reg is in for service now). Anyway, so obviously I'm on a budget hence the interest in those tanks, it will cost me about 40 bucks a tank to have them VIS-ed and hydro-ed, just wondering if its worth it/my reg (imgur: the simple image sharer) would even work with those valves?

Thanks in advance!

randy88k5 · Feb 28, 2012

It sounds like a good deal. I would make sure a satisfactory VIP (visual inspection) is part of the deal too. I have seen some tanks pass hydro that would not pass VIP, usually due to corrosion. I would read up on here about steel 72s. I would make sure the tanks the 3/4" NPSM (straight thread) and not the old 1/2" NPT (tapered thread). It makes valve selection much easier.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/tanks-valves-bands/408640-steel-72-value.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/tanks-valves-bands/408249-my-buying-used-steel-tank-experience.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/tanks-valves-bands/368511-hydroing-old-steel-72s.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/tanks-valves-bands/355063-doubling-steel-72s.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/tanks-valves-bands/307773-need-info-old-lp-72-tank.html
...for a start. Much more info still out there.

tr3a · Feb 28, 2012

randy88k5:
It sounds like a good deal. I would make sure a satisfactory VIP (visual inspection) is part of the deal too. I have seen some tanks pass hydro that would not pass VIP, usually due to corrosion. I would read up on here about steel 72s. I would make sure the tanks the 3/4" NPSM (straight thread) and not the old 1/2" NPT (tapered thread). It makes valve selection much easier.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/tanks-valves-bands/408640-steel-72-value.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/tanks-valves-bands/408249-my-buying-used-steel-tank-experience.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/tanks-valves-bands/368511-hydroing-old-steel-72s.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/tanks-valves-bands/355063-doubling-steel-72s.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/tanks-valves-bands/307773-need-info-old-lp-72-tank.html
...for a start. Much more info still out there.

I would question that, since a Visual is part of the Hydro procedure.

Teller · Feb 28, 2012

Sounds like a deal to me. As mentioned above I would make sure they have the 3/4 in threads. If the seller is going to give you your money back if they fail and you trust him then I would say go for it. Keep in mind that a few small things that could be wrong with it can add up quick. I dont like dumping alot of money in to a used tank unless its a tank I can not buy new anymore and I really want it. Things like hydro, VIP, tumble, O2 cleaning and new valves can sometimes raise the cost to almost what it cost to just buy new. My advice would be see if the seller will meet you at your LDS and have the inspector take a look.

ermaclob · Feb 28, 2012

from what i hear steel tanks are mostly indestructible, normally pass hydro with flying colors. the one thing that could really kill a steel tank is if u suck them dry and let saltwater get into them. = instant VIP fail.

N736RA · Feb 28, 2012

Thanks for the replies guys! The seller is going to meet me at a shop and wait around while they at least do the visual (given the hydro takes days), I was told on another forum that the tank on the right looks like it has a 1/2" valve and to stay away from it, so I might just try and buy the one on the left.

smorneau · Feb 28, 2012

That looks like a good deal, I have purchased 5 or 6 old 72's 2250psi tanks in the last year and all passed hydro and vip. They are only 72cf if you ask to have the plus rated at the hydro's otherwise without the plus (+) they are only about 65cf at service pressure. If you are larger and have a large SAC rate they may limit bottom time. Keep that in mind when diving with other people using larger tanks. Someone diving an aluminum 80cf (really a 77cf) will have 20% more gas if it is only a 65cf.

There is a thread kicking around Scubaboard with the numbers needed by the hydro facillity to get the plus rating on PST tanks.

Mine mostly just sit around, I sometimes use them on shallow lake dives and I have just doubled up a pair for longer dives. For deeper single tank dives the 72's are not very practical unless you are a small person with a low SAC rate.

moneysavr · Feb 28, 2012

I love my steel 72's great tank's great dive Characteristics & make sweet doubles too, all the air I need and my son loves em too!
as said valve check out, and it should be serviced, but no rust "MAJOR"= in side or none of that wierd coatting i.e. plastic coatting should be a sweet deal!

spectrum · Feb 28, 2012

Be sure to remove the boots and inspect for gross external rust before buying. This is especially true if the boots are the rubbery full coverage kind and/or they are not hot dipped galvanized cylinders. If they are HD galvanized with some thing like the Underwater Kinetics self draining boot the risk drops dramatically.

The visual inspecton that is done with the hydro is rarely integrated into the final VIP at refill. This is especially true if the shop sends out for hydro. $40 to recommission is reasonable.

Historically $40 each is not cheap but it's reasonable if backed. For <$100 you can have a darned nice cylinder. Cash & Carry, $15 - $25.

Be sure to specifically request that they attempt to qualify for the + rating. Otherwise you will only be approved to fill to the marked pressure which equates to about 65 CF. The + adds 10% to the pressure, getting you to 72CF.

They can be very nice cylinders to dive.

Pete

N736RA · Feb 28, 2012

well unfortunately the ship on those sailed, one of them had rust and the other a faulty valve, the seller was irked that I didnt want to buy them, but whatever, if you'll all follow me to my new thread I have ANOTHER AWESOME TANK QUESTION!!!!!!

Buying older steel tanks?

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