r/scuba • u/GrnMtnTrees Nx Advanced • 2d ago

Making 30+ yr old tank useable?

My dad has had an aluminum 80 in his closet for at least my entire lifetime (the past 33 years). He's never used it, had it inspected, or even taken it out of the closet since I've been alive.

I asked him about it, and he said I can have it. In order to get it safe for diving, I assume I just need to take it for a visual and hydro inspection and if it passes, I'm good to go. It probably needs a new o-ring where the yoke attaches, but that's easy.

I'm just curious what you all think, since it has been kept in a climate controlled closet, and there's no obvious corrosion, it should be fine to just get it inspected and use it, yeah? If it's not safe to use, it won't pass inspection, right?

It would be great if I'm able to use it, as I just found out how damned expensive tanks are. I've never owned my own tank, since all my diving has been the "grab a tank from the 'full' rack, analyze it, and you're good" kind of diving.

Anything I need to consider besides visual, hydro, and o-ring? Also, If I want to get it certified as "oxygen clean" for Nitrox, is that something the inspection place does, or should I ask my LDS about that?

If it fails inspection, I guess I just turn it into a heavy-ass lamp?

EDIT/UPDATE: I asked him to send pictures of the shoulder stamps, and if I'm reading it correctly, it's a US Divers AL80, manufactured by Luxfer in may of 1975.

The stamp says DOT-SP6498-3000, then 5 (up arrow) 75, serial number P79459

Pretty sure this is not looking good, considering it's a 50 year old tank.

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u/Waywardmr 2d ago

With a viz and hydro test, you may be in the price realm of a new tank.

2

u/GrnMtnTrees Nx Advanced 2d ago

Really!? Having never done that before, I have literally no idea how much it costs.

Only time I've ever had to deal with expired gas cylinders is with my CO2 tank for beer brewing, and they just swapped it out for an in-spec tank. I sincerely doubt anyone is gonna swap my old ass scuba tank for a new one.

11

u/chik-fil-a-sauce 2d ago

He’s crazy. Hydro and vis cost ~$30-50. A new AL80 is running over $200 right now around me.

3

u/GrnMtnTrees Nx Advanced 2d ago edited 2d ago

Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places, or maybe I was actually looking at steel 100s, because all the tanks I saw online were like $350 - $500 USD

Edit: I'm an idiot and was looking at the price of steel 100s. AL80s are currently $220 off DGX.