Nitrox Storage Question

[Zoomer]

For all you Nitrox Divers out there, what would you do?

I have two tanks of 32% that have been sitting a while (about 6 months), I had them filled and never used them, now the VIP's are due on the tanks.

Should I just take them in and have the VIP done and refill? or is it OK to dive the tanks then take them in for the VIP?

I wouldn't even think twice about this if this was straight 21% so I guess I am asking if I should treat this any different because of the higher concentration of O2?

Thanks

[snowmaker]

Should be fine. If air would be good in them then 32% is good. Remember your only increasing the amount of O2 in the mix. Not making anything special.

[Zoomer]

That was my initial thought as well "should be fine", but then I started thinking "yeah scary huh?" about the additional corrosive potential with the higher O2 percentage....


That is why I figured I'd ask

[Zoomer]

I think I am going to be on the safe side and just have the VIP done based on this reading...

Scuba Cylinder Long-Term Storage: Fact and Fiction

[HowardE]

6 months is not a long period of time... it's no problem. Use the tanks, then VIP them.

If you're concerned... analyze the gas first.

[rsilva708]

6 months i no big deal. If the gas was good going in 6 months ago, it will still be good now.

[iztok]

That depends on the tanks. If they are AL go use it. If they are steel, don't. 6 months is a long time (anything past 3 months is).

[mike_s]

what's considered "too long" for Aluminum tanks for nitrox? (say 32%)

[Zoomer]

They are AL80's... after looking at my dive logs and the vips on the tanks it's been more like 9 months (can't believe it's been that long since I dove nitrox)....

Thanks for all the replies...

[Jim Lapenta]

That depends on the tanks. If they are AL go use it. If they are steel, don't. 6 months is a long time (anything past 3 months is).

Could you explain why? If the tanks were properly cleaned for O2 then filled with any mix they should be fine. What do you base your statement on. I have a couple 72's that get used very infrequently and after I get them down to 1500 or so doing regs on my bench I'll use them for 1 dive before refilling. That may take 6 months and there's never been a problem. I had one that I finally used after sitting for 9 months and it was good.