Does air go bad?

Uranus · 07-12-2008, 01:18 AM

I found my dads old Scuba tank, it's been sitting for at least 10 years. The last hydro was in 96. I know I need to get it hydo tested, but can I still use the air in there?

Thanks,

Chris

PJ · 07-12-2008, 01:26 AM

To breathe? I wouldn't, would be very stall at the very least. To fill HPA tanks? I'd make sure there was a filter on it so any debris that may have developed over the last 10+ years doesn't get into the HPA tank.

brycelarson · 07-12-2008, 01:27 AM

uh, not really. it still has pressure? then it should be fine. the air they put in there 10 years ago was very, very dry air. the danger with old tanks is that they have regular, humid air in them and have rusted.

but as a responsible adult I would suggest that you bleed the air and get it hydroed ASAP. that's a lot of potential energy sitting there.

stimpy · 07-12-2008, 01:35 AM

Does air go bad?

yes- it's called a fart

Railgun · 07-12-2008, 01:49 AM

I'm a scuba diver as well. And I say bleed it out into your paintball gun tanks....

THEN go and hydro it. Just be sure you use good practices for transporting it. Always tie it into place so there is virtually zero risk of damage to the valve. That's the weak part.

Definetly don't try to breath it at this point though.

Tanks go bad from repeated exposure to moisture and to the physical trauma of air going in and coming out flexing the metal. A tank that's been sitting full is actually not as bad as one that has been used a lot. That fact is recognized by the bit in the rules about tanks that says you can use the existing charge but can't refill until after a hydro test.

Uranus · 07-12-2008, 01:54 AM

Opps, I should of stated that I want to use the air for my Paintball tanks, not to breath

HurtCow · 07-12-2008, 01:59 AM

Haha when I saw your post it reminded me of awhile back when I had my wife convinced she should change the air in her tires when she got her oil changed, cause after awhile it becomes permanently compressed and has to be replaced with fluffed atmosphere.

ThePixelGuru · 07-12-2008, 02:14 AM

I wouldn't, but your gear would probably survive if you did.

FYI, it's better to store a tank full rather than empty. Pressurized means no contaminants can get in.

Deus Machina · 07-12-2008, 04:50 AM

Put a filter inline, and put it in your tanks.

The air itself doesn't go bad, but bacteria can grow--in tool-grade tanks, dunno about multi-thousand PSI tanks--and if it's rusted, that rust can come out with it.

Just find a way to put one of those Co2 filters that come in all the cheap gun's ASA's inline, and move the air to whatever tanks you use.

Mayvik · 07-12-2008, 09:58 PM

Of course not. Go on about your business.

07-12-2008, 01:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
PJ Hawaiian-shirted hooligan Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Powell, TN	To breathe? I wouldn't, would be very stall at the very least. To fill HPA tanks? I'd make sure there was a filter on it so any debris that may have developed over the last 10+ years doesn't get into the HPA tank. __________________ Paul AIM: PJDarknight CPPA #1145 / PPIG #496 / LPPC #103 / POG #1047 / Team Rogue Cell #7 PJ's Gallery on MCB Feedback on MCB

07-12-2008, 01:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
brycelarson MCB Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Minnesota	uh, not really. it still has pressure? then it should be fine. the air they put in there 10 years ago was very, very dry air. the danger with old tanks is that they have regular, humid air in them and have rusted. but as a responsible adult I would suggest that you bleed the air and get it hydroed ASAP. that's a lot of potential energy sitting there. __________________ -Bryce Larson bryce@101010.org Feedback

07-12-2008, 01:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
stimpy MCB Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Diego CA	Does air go bad? yes- it's called a fart __________________ FEEDBACK MCB evilbay

07-12-2008, 01:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
Railgun Post Whore Join Date: Oct 2006	I'm a scuba diver as well. And I say bleed it out into your paintball gun tanks.... THEN go and hydro it. Just be sure you use good practices for transporting it. Always tie it into place so there is virtually zero risk of damage to the valve. That's the weak part. Definetly don't try to breath it at this point though. Tanks go bad from repeated exposure to moisture and to the physical trauma of air going in and coming out flexing the metal. A tank that's been sitting full is actually not as bad as one that has been used a lot. That fact is recognized by the bit in the rules about tanks that says you can use the existing charge but can't refill until after a hydro test. __________________ Model airplanes are cool too!

07-12-2008, 02:14 AM	#8 (permalink)
ThePixelGuru Active Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Massachusetts	I wouldn't, but your gear would probably survive if you did. FYI, it's better to store a tank full rather than empty. Pressurized means no contaminants can get in. __________________

07-12-2008, 09:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
Mayvik 1-866-MEAT-4-YU Join Date: May 2007 Location: Denver	Of course not. Go on about your business. __________________ <Painthappy_Drinking> There's never a wrong hole <souz4402> i was imaginnig the gay party All sales closed until after I move. My Feedback

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