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Buying a Used Scuba Tank
Scuba diving is a very interesting underwater sport and people are crazy to see what is inside the sea and they love to explore the underwater world. For scuba diving, it has required many types of equipment and to stay in water for a long time, we use a scuba tank or oxygen tank.
The tank is the last equipment for the scuba divers because if the diver stays in the water for a long time or to dive and swim deep then this tank is used for it.
When the diver has decided to buy his or her tank, normally they are confused about those divers who are rich and they have no issue buying a new tank but those divers who have not too much money to buy a new tank then they will go for the used tanks. Because in scuba divining tank is very important but it is very expensive equipment also.
Buying a new tank or second-hand tank or Renting
When diver needs a tank it has a lot of options with him. If he wants to buy a brand new tank this option will easily available for him but this tank is very expensive not everyone has a lot of money to purchase this tank.
Another option is if the diver has not much money than he or she goes to purchase the second-hand tank. These are the used tanks and the diver gets these tanks at reasonable prices but diver’s faces some problems in purchasing used tanks.
If the diver is a beginner he or she has no experience of buying a used tank, what thing he or she must check before buying a used tank maybe he or she waste their money. And the last option is renting, this option is very economical for those who like to swim but just one or two times a month.
Brand New Tank
Those divers, who have a lot of money, just to buy a brand new scuba tank because this is good for them. For buying new tank experience is not required just go into a shop and buy a new tank.
In my point of view if you have money must go for the new tank, because we know this tank is new and have no issue in it. If you are not aware of tanks then the shopkeeper helps you in choosing a tank.
Rental Tank
If you are a scuba diver and dive normally one or two times in a month then I feel that he or she must use rented tanks.
The logic behind this is that the tank is very expensive and those people who are busy in their life and when they are free and plan to scuba diving then it’s good for them to go to the rental shop and get the tank on rent because they get the tank on very reasonable price. If they buy a new or used tank I think this is useless for them.
Used Tanks
Most of the scuba divers prefer to get their tanks because this feels them independent; when they want to swim to they get their all equipment and went to the sight. And most of the divers prefer used tanks because new tanks are very expensive and everyone does not have ability to buy, so that’s why many divers prefer to buy used tanks and most of the times they found these tanks in very good condition.
These tanks are made with steel and aluminum and these two metals are very good and long-lasting. That’s why it has no problem with buying a used tank.
Size of the Tank
The capacity of the tank normally calculated in cubic feet. And tanks size vary depends on the scuba divers. For the normal diver who dives for a short time, 63 cft may better fit for the younger diver. Normally in aluminum tank 70 to 100 cubic feet tank is sufficient for their need.
For that diver who dives for longer, they will increase the size of the tank because they have to stay in water for a long time that’s why they need more oxygen. Selecting the size of the tank is very important because it has its weight and height.
Aluminum vs. Steel
This difference will decide you which tank is good for you.
- Steel and aluminum tank has the same capacity to carry gas.
- Steel weight is very heavy as compared to aluminum, normally the divers who use aluminum cylinders usually wear less weight and they are very comfortable in moving.
- Divers love to use steel cylinders for their excellent fore-and-aft trim balance features.
- If the moisture goes inside the aluminum cylinder it will cause only minor oxidation and it will not cause permanent damage. Even if the saltwater interacts with aluminum cylinder it will not cause corrosion.
- But on the other hand, if the freshwater getting inside the steel cylinder can cause a lot of damage. But if the saltwater interacts with steel cylinder it will cause corrosion very fast.
Something gets in mind when buying used scuba tank
- Damage tank outside
When you buy a used tank must check the outside body on the tank from top to the bottom. Must check the colour of the cylinder if the colour has some bubbles that mean it has some problem.
Must check the cylinder from the valve is there any dent nearby the value don’t buy this type of cylinder. Must check the rust because rust weak the structure of the cylinder.
- Does the tank need a visual inspection?
When you buy a used tank you must check the last examination date on the cylinder.
This is very important because if you don’t know when its last inspection had done then after purchasing used cylinder you have to do again inspection of your cylinder and this inspection is almost $40.
Tank Is Full
When you buy used scuba cylinder must choose those cylinders in which gas is filled. Some of the shopkeepers sell the empty cylinder and mostly these cylinders have defected.
Most of the time their valves are leak and also an indicator that there might be moisture inside the tank which can cause corrosion.
When choosing your used tank what thing must change?
When you are buying a used tank you must change the tank valves because in practice we saw these valves are mostly damage or leak that’s why when you buy a cylinder must change the cylinder valves. There are two types of valves which we used with the cylinder.
- DIN: In high-pressure tanks, DIN fitting is considered safer than the yoke valve.
- YOKE: Yoke valve is very common in scuba tanks. This valve is commonly is in aluminum tanks.
How long does a scuba tank last?
It depends on scuba diver and the depth of the water. If the scuba diver swims almost 10 meters deep than the tank will be empty in one hour.
But scuba diver goes more down it will increase the water pressure than diver use more oxygen and the cylinder become empty faster. That’s why when the divers swim deeply they used two cylinders.
Scuba Tank Maintenance
If you follow the simple guidelines it will ensure that your tank stays long.
- After using your tank put it on his place.
- Don’t overfill your gas, sometimes this thing leaks your tank valves.
- Wash your tank with fresh water after using it.
- Use your tank within three months and don’t keep fill tank for a longer time.
- Always place your tank in a vertical position.
- In one year must do the professional inspection.
- At least in five years, one must do the hydrostatic test conduct.
Conclusion
In this article, we are discussing why scuba divers prefer to buy used tanks. And it has much reason for it because the scuba tank is very expensive and people not to prefer to buy a brand new tank. They are preferred to buy a used tank and enjoy swimming. Some scuba diver arranges their tanks on rent but this is not preferable for everyone. Many scuba divers buy used tanks because they are in their range.
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