Expired aluminum tank?

[spikeball]

Just sent a 72ci tank in for hydro and got it back with the testers indicating its too old. When did the lifespan on aluminum tanks change? I cannot find anything anywhere about it and now I'm out a tank.

[Ecapnation]

It's always been 15 years....

[spikeball]

I thought that was just carbon fiber... Oops!

[Ecapnation]

Nope... After 15 years most tanks are dead for paintball.... Higher cycle rates.

Time for a new tank

[Jonnydread]

I'm fascinated that you went to the trouble to re-hydro an AL tank.

[spikeball]

I found a place that will do it for $20. And for an uncommon 72ci, I figured it would be worth it.

[Grendel]

Hell Jonny I hydro my <= 2" HPA bottles so they have the sticker on them so I have it when I get to a commercial field so I don't have to explain/debate the "2 Inch" rule for my tanks. Hassle > Cost in my book.

[Jonnydread]

spikeball is that uncommon? $20 is standard for a hydro around here. I get it, I have a few cumbersome CO2 tanks that I love for the nostalglia/hell of it.

[Trbo323]

I'm fascinated that you went to the trouble to re-hydro an AL tank.

Why? If you find a good place, and I have one around me, is line $25 to recertify.

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[Jonnydread]

They’re big and heavy. I don’t mind heavy co2 tanks, but in my mind one of the great benefits of HPA is weight reduction. Just a preference, not hating

[Toestr]

I don't really see why they shouldn't be able to have an unlimited lifetime. Yes I know there's generally a higher rate of pressure cycling, but considering there's still scuba tanks from the 40s and 50s in service I don't see why a paintball tank shouldn't have the same rules.

Here in Canada any tank under 61ci doesn't require rehydro and is good until end of life, so I can live with having 15 year lifespans.

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[Jordan]

I don't really see why they shouldn't be able to have an unlimited lifetime. Yes I know there's generally a higher rate of pressure cycling, but considering there's still scuba tanks from the 40s and 50s in service I don't see why a paintball tank shouldn't have the same rules.

Here in Canada any tank under 61ci doesn't require rehydro and is good until end of life, so I can live with having 15 year lifespans.

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It's my understanding that paintball tanks are unique in their method of filling - ie: slam filling from 0 to 4500psi in a matter of seconds - which is a cause for concern. Scuba tanks are filled much slower, causing less heat buildup and stress to the tank.

Paintball also uses light, portable tanks that fall under very different rules compared to other types of compressed gas cylinders, due to their construction.

Considering how little the average paintballer understands about their gear, I'm grateful there is at least a small oversight when it comes to the most dangerous component in our equipment.

[Falcon16]

Well said, With how most places slam fill a 4500PSI tank I'm glad we have oversight. I'm also glad that fields understand the 15 year no hydro lifespan for less than 1L tanks. My Ninja tank has the superficial cracks in the black gelcoat and thankfully it's such common knowledge that nobody bats an eye. Still annoying though that I sent in a tank (they lost my original tank in shipping) Send me a new tank which I used for some years and now it developed the same issue, Come to find out that the issue with the external black gelcoat wasn't actually fixed until like 2017 lol. That said when this tank is toast is 2027 I'll gladly buy another 50/45