How long do steel tanks last?

[Prouty33]

I've heard that steel tanks can last a really long time if properly maintained, how long is "a long time"? A family friend offered to give me a pair of steel tanks that have been in storage for around 20 years. He said he bought them new, and they were only hydroed the first time. He dove them a few years and gave up diving, and have been sitting in his basement since, so I'm going to guess they were manufactured around 1980? Assuming I take a look at them and they look fine, will these tanks pass hydro? How long could I expect them to last if they did?

[WaterRat]

There are old steel 72's still in service from the 70's. Rust is the main enemy of steel tanks. If they were stored with air in them and water never got in them, I bet they're fine. Send them in for hydro.

Ron

[DirtyWaterIL]

If the tanks are properly maintained and cared for they will proably last longer than you do. take them into your lds and ask for a vis on them befor eyou send them to hydro. if they do a visual inspection they will be able to spot any cracks or serious rust. If there is minnor rust which is proabbly after that long they may be able to put it on a tumbler and get rid of it. Also after sitting for that long i'm sure all the seals in the valves are completely rotted so you will need to have those rebuilt as well.

[texdiveguy]

I have a steel 72 still in service from 1971.

[cummings66]

I've got a steel HP100 from 1984 and always passes.

[BSea]

I have a steel 72 tank from 67 or 68. It's getting filled or I'd know for sure the origianla date. I have some double 38's from 68. If you keep water out of them & some pressure on them, they should last as long as you will dive.

But, there are some dive shops that refuse to fill tanks past a certain age. I guess they have that right, but I'd rather have a steel tank from the 60's than an aluminum tank from the early eighty's.

But that's just me.

[ScaredSilly]

Seems I have heard of steel banks with cylinders that are getting to be near 100 years old. I think the ones in our program are from the 40s. A few folks are diving steels from the late 50s.

If the cylinders in question have some air in them and never had any water good chance they will be okay. Take them in for a visual and hydro.

Also if the original hydro has a plus rating (12/81+) make sure you ask for the hydro tester to requalify them at the plus rating. This will maintain their 10% over fill.

[divinginn]

i have two old steel 72s.one is a 66 model and the other is a 73,as long as they stay dry inside with pressure on them,they will last pretty much forever,they are designed to last ten thousand cycles.

[turtle_guy]

As far as i know they will last until you decide to either quit diving or are somehow rendered unable.

[MxDiver]

A couple of days ago my instructor gave me a couple of steel 72s for free. They need the visual and hydro done, when I opened the valve some air came out, which I think is good by what I read in this post.
They have a single air outlet on the center and a single band. If they pass the test I’m planning on getting double bands so they fit my BCD (Zeagle brigade with a manta wing) and using them to get the feel of diving with doubles before my advanced nitrox class.