Did I Waste My Money on a Brand New CO2 Tank?

[DakotaPrerunner]

I have always looked at the purchase of a cylinder (CO2, O2, Argon, .etc) as the entry fee to the club. Once you buy a tank just swap it out and never worry about hydro testing or waiting again.

 

[shataway]

If it makes you feel better, I have exchanged 2 new 5lbs cylinders for used.

 

[m_c_zero]

I bought a brand new tank and took it to get it filled, exchanged it for a full tank that was only a couple months older than the one I had purchased. Most places have old tanks and new(er) tanks for exchange.

 

[broadbill]

If it matters to you, ask the exchange guy if they have a newer-looking tank to give you...most of the time they'll oblige....

again, on my list of things that need to get/stay clean, my kegerator tank is waaaay down on that list.

 

[bja]

Make sure you have a spare tank. It's horrible to run out of co2 on a Friday evening and have to wait til Monday to fill it.

 

[dog_gone]

I ran into a similar problem in Eugene: My kegerator (Costco) came with a shiny new CO2 tank. The first three gas distributors would only exchange. Being vain, I kept looking.

In the meantime, I went to a paintball supply store and bought a 20oz tank and an adapter that allowed the tank to fit my regulator. The first fill was free. Subsequent fills are $5. Afterall was said and done, the paintball tank and adapter cost me nearly as much as a new 5lb tank. Dang.

Nevertheless, I finally found a place in another city that was near my work that would refill a 5lb tank for $10. So, all is good. I have a new tank, plus a back-up. Now, if I could just find a back-up cheap dual regulator, I have a perfect way to force carb without messing with my kegs in the kegerator.

 

[discooby]

I own both of my tanks and I can paint my name on them, shine them up, whatever I want. I pay $1 a pound for fills while I wait. Hydro testing runs me $12 and it takes about 48 hours. I have two tanks so I don't miss it.

+1

Hydrostatic testing is cheap. I also know what was in my tanks and how they were treated. I wouldn’t want to buy a scuba tank that had air in it sitting for 4 years in a hot garage and, even though the tank was still to date, refill it and dive on it. I’d get it cleaned and retested even though the date on the tank said it was still good… better yet, I have my own.

How easy is it to exchange uncommon sized tanks (like a 20lb co2 or 80cf N)?? Also, the bigger your cylinder the better the value; I pay a dollar more to fill a 20lb than a 5lb and my fills run $15 while I wait 3 minutes.

The OP’s problem is there is no place to refill so the only alternative is exchange. If you can refill then I’d keep the cylinders.

 

[pjcampbell]

Out of curiosity, how much would most places charge for a "core" if you DON'T show up with a brand new tank? I have the same deal. All local places that I can find are exchange only.

 

[broadbill]

Out of curiosity, how much would most places charge for a "core" if you DON'T show up with a brand new tank? I have the same deal. All local places that I can find are exchange only.

They don't charge anything. It would be an "in-kind" exchange (used for used). This would be the preferable way to get into an exchange (assuming you figure that a new tank is worth more than a used tank).

 

[pjcampbell]

What I meant is if you didn't have a core to return. The answer at my place was $70... so for $55 I was better trading in my shiny new tank than paying their fee. I gave up on trying to find a place to fill mine and took their used tank. It looks good enough. I am sure AirGas doesn't mess around with their tanks.

 

[broadbill]

What I meant is if you didn't have a core to return. The answer at my place was $70... so for $55 I was better trading in my shiny new tank than paying their fee. I gave up on trying to find a place to fill mine and took their used tank. It looks good enough. I am sure AirGas doesn't mess around with their tanks.

I checked into this as well, found out a tank to buy in was in the $90. What I also found was you don't really pay less for a used vs. new tank....I bought my used one for $45, new was $55.