Old CO2 tank

[Apollo]

Hey all. I've found a post on CL for an old 20# co2 tank and single regulator (0-60 PSI) for $50. The downside is this guy has no clue what the test date is. This was used for hydroponics I think. My gut says to snatch this up, but I'm wondering what difficulties I'll run into when this tank empties. Is this a good buy? Thanks.

 

[zimman]

well you will need to get the tank hydrotested which in stl its costs about 16 dollars. the odds are you will take that tank to your local industrial gas supplier where they will just swap out the tank for a new filled on. they will prob tack on the test fee but thats only a one time charge. i say its a good deal.

 

[samc]

Excellent price. Some refill/swap places will eat the cost of the certification or not even notice because the guy doing the transaction pays no attention to the date on the tank.

 

[MMTG]

Do it! A hydrotest is nothing to worry about.

 

[Apollo]

Great! Thx all.

 

[kmat123]

Just ensure that the CO2 tank doesn't have coke or pepsi stamped on it because most places won't fill those.

 

[JuanMoore]

I've been e-mailing that guy for days with no response, hope you have better luck than me. Hydro tests are good for 5 years, so it may not need it at all. The only place in town that does hydro tests is United Fire on 4th ave, and they are expensive (~$53 for a 20# test and fill). The welding supply places are cheaper, but they send them out to Phoenix for hydro tests weekly, so it takes a minimum of one week turnaround. The other option is just exchange the tank for a full one at one of the welding shops, which will run $20-$24, plus $10-$14 for the hydro test. Prax-air on Park & 18th usually swaps tanks without charging the hydro test fee.

If anyone in Tucson is interested, I know a guy who has a bunch of out of date 30# tanks he's selling for $25 each. I picked up two of them for $40, and I'm going to try and get Prax-air to swap me for some smaller aluminum ones that will fit in my keezer.

 

[Apollo]

Juan, as far as I can tell this is a different guy. He just posted it yesterday afternoon. I appreciate the info on where to get it tested and filled.

 

[slakwhere]

is the hydrostatic test on the bottle someplace? or is it looked up in some sort of database based on the serial # ?

 

[JuanMoore]

is the hydrostatic test on the bottle someplace? or is it looked up in some sort of database based on the serial # ?

It's stamped on the bottle. Look for 5 digits with the middle one being a letter and the other 4 being numbers. The first two numbers are the month it was last tested and the last two are the year, Eg: "06U08" would be June 2008. The letter in the middle has to do with where it was tested. The test is good for 5 years from the stamped date.

 

[slakwhere]

so if the can is expired i can simply take it to have it hydro tested again? and if it passes it's good for 5 more years?

 

[JuanMoore]

so if the can is expired i can simply take it to have it hydro tested again? and if it passes it's good for 5 more years?

Yep.

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