co2 tank question

[cincybrewer]

Do any of you co2 tank experts know if there is a way to tell if this would be a good deal? I'm not sure how to determine the size (might be able to call someone) and don't tanks have to be re-serviced every # of years? Is that information usually on the tank?

http://www.fasttrackauction.net/cgi-bin/mnlist.cgi?fasttrack1802/23

Seems like it may be a good deal if it can be used for kegging.

 

[mkirkland]

Looks to be a 20# tank and yes the tanks should be hydro tested once a year technically.

 

[cincybrewer]

Thanks. Do you know how much it costs to get hydro tested? At $15 or so for a 20# tank seems like a good deal.

 

[SathingtonWilloby]

This is a great deal! Looks like a 20 lb tank for sure. Instead of worrying about hydro testing (I believe the test is good for 5 years), just exchange the tank instead of having it refilled. I have a 20 lb tank, and my local welding supply shop does an exchange for less than 20 bucks. Then you can let them worry about the tank being within hydro test date.

 

[jonp9576]

looks like a 20# tank to me. the test is good for 5 years. its a steal either way. go for it.

 

[cincybrewer]

Good to know. I'm pretty sure I can get somewhat inexpensive co2 tanks on eBay for local pickup but they aren't this cheap. Their 20# is $50 refurbished but their 10# is $20 and their 15# is $24.

 

[Mischief_Brewing]

My local welding shop just charged me $30 to have a 25# tank I picked up of CL hydro tested. Still a bargain considering I only paid $10 for the tank...

 

[cincybrewer]

wow, that's more than I thought it'd be. The eBay tanks say they are good until 2014 so that may be the better deal after all.

 

[YNOT2K]

buy it and then just do an "exchange" when you need it filled. you give them your empty, they give you a full one. easy!

 

[cincybrewer]

buy it and then just do an "exchange" when you need it filled. you give them your empty, they give you a full one. easy!

so they'll pretty much take any co2 tanks an exchange them or does it have to be of a certain type? sorry for all the newbie questions but obviously I'm new to kegging.

 

[YNOT2K]

my tank looks like the one in the pics you posted. the one time i got it filled (had a slow leak and drained it) they just gave me another full one. i don't believe you will have any problems at all. i went to a local welding supply store. i don't have any nitro taps so i just use CO2.

i just looked at the auction listing again and it says SOLD - so, did you buy it?

 

[cincybrewer]

no, unfortunately it got bid up too high, even though the sold price was $15 or so. Whoever bought it put a high maximum bid on it. Considering I can get a #15 refurbished for around $25 I didn't want to go too high. But at least now I know for next time because those sites often have stuff like this.

they also had a 13" Bayou Classic thermometer that was sold for only a couple dollars. But since I already have one I wasn't going to go out and pick it up only for that one item.

 

[JRems]

Also most places won't exchange it if it says property of pepsi ( or coca cola ). I have seen a few craigslist ones like that.