Scuba Tanks Care - A scuba gear guide on how to maintain your scuba diving tanks 

The scuba tank is one of the most important piece of scuba gear, although they are heavy and seem tough, they are complex pieces of scuba gear which must be looked after.

A well-maintained scuba diving tank is essential for safe scuba diving besides it could provide you with at least 20 years of service.

On the other hand, a neglected scuba dive tank can fail with disastrous effects. Besides being rinsing the outside with fresh water, dried and stored out of the sun like the rest of you gear, scuba diving tanks have some special maintenance and storage considerations.

 

Hopefully, this article will help you in maintaining your scuba diving tank up to proper scuba safety standards.

 

 

When using your scuba tank

A cardinal rule for scuba diving tanks is to never completely empty your scuba diving tank. When planning your scuba dives, it is important that you consider to complete your dive with enough air left within your scuba diving tank.

Empty scuba tanks may allow some water to enter by backing up though your regulator, so having your scuba regulator attached does not necessarily mean that the inner part of your tank is safe from exposure to water.

It's critical to keep the inside of your scuba dive tank, especially if it is a steel tank, dry. Both steel and aluminum can cause internal oxidation which can eventually lead to the deterioration of your scuba diving tank. Water in your scuba diving tank can start rusting easily especially if you are using steel tanks.

The best way to be sure that water does not enter your scuba dive tank when diving, is to never allow it to be completely be emptied of air pressure. Always plan to leave at least 1-2Mpa (10-20 bars) left in them to ensure that moisture does not enter.

If for some reason, the scuba dive tank pressure should be completely exhausted, it is important to immediately close the valve to keep moisture out. When bleeding the air from your scuba tank, be sure to bleed the air slowly, as quick bleeding may cause internal condensation.

The scuba tank valve should not be turned off too tightly. Closing the valve too tightly may result in damage to its high-pressure seal. It only has to be just closed gently enough to prevent the air flow.

After your dive, be sure to always rinse your scuba tanks and, especially, the valves in fresh water to remove any grit and salt crystal which may be hindering the operation of the valves. Ensure that the tank valve is easy to operate. Should there be any sort of difficulty on operating the valve, do not try to lubricate it but have it serviced at a professional dive store.

Transporting of Scuba Diving Tanks

Scuba tanks are heavy, unstable when left standing and tend to roll when lying down. Although scuba diving tanks are solid, their strength is designed so that they can hold the extremely high pressures and not to be treated roughly.

Always secure your scuba diving tanks from rolling and never leave them standing unattended. A falling or rolling tank will damage its valve, but most of all may hurt someone, objects or people it runs into.

A scuba diving tank should be transported with great care and attention. Avoid carrying your scuba diving tank on your shoulder because if it were to fall, it might smash its valve. Its best to carry the tank by the valve or from a proper tank holder.

When transporting your scuba diving tanks in a car, lay them down horizontally and block or tie them. Ensure that the scuba diving tank valve is facing the rear in case of sudden stops to prevent from damaging the valve.

Never leave your scuba diving tank in a car's hot trunk. The air in the tank could expand, rupturing the burst disk.

It is also especially important to secure your tanks on a boat. Again be sure to lie them down properly. Better yet use a proper scuba tank rack.

Storage

Proper storage is another important factor in scuba tank maintenance. When coming to store your scuba diving tank, it is important that you store it in an upright position in a cool place. Tanks should be stored in a cool place because the pressure of compressed air rises when exposed to heat.

Store your scuba diving tanks with 1-2Mpa (10-20 bars) of air left in them so to keep the moisture from entering it. If you have not used your tank for more than 6 months, It is best to have the scuba diving tank refilled, because the air inside may turn stale.

Get your scuba diving tanks inspected

Due to the fact that most scuba diving tanks can rust and corrode, the inside has to be visually inspected by a qualified service center at least once a year. To do this, the scuba tanks are slowly drained of air and the valves removed. Using a special light, the interior is inspected for any deficiencies.

If the tank passes the visual inspection, it will be tagged with the test date. You should also be aware that most professional dive facilities will not fill a tank without this tag containing the visual inspection test date.

Another test which must periodically be conducted is called a hydrostatic test. This test serves the purpose for evaluating whether there are any signs of metal fatigue and stress. When a tank passes the hydrostatic test, it means that your scuba dive tank can hold air at its rated pressure. A test date will then be stamped onto your tank. Again most professional dive facilities will ask look for the this stamp or else they have every right not fill your tank.

 

Painting of scuba dive tanks

Although you may be tempted to give your scuba tank a new look, painting of scuba diving tanks is not recommended. If however you insist on painting your tank, be sure not use any types of heat curing paints or strippers as these may affect the strength of your scuba dive tank.

 

Well basically that's it. Hopefully this article will help you in taking care of your scuba tanks. Remember to always treat your scuba diving tank with respect. It is the piece of scuba gear which provides you with life-sustaining air during your dives.