I took my 3000 psi SCUBA tank in to the dive shop to have a new seal fitted. While I was there I told the proprietor that I wanted to upgrade to a 4500 psi tank. He pointed to the corner of the room and there sat what looked like a brand new carbon fiber SCBA tank complete with integral gauge in the valve and everything. He told me the tank had expired and that it was mine if I wanted it. I nearly swallowed my gum! It even had 3500 psi of air in it already. I took it home and hooked it up to my $300 Shoebox compressor and in close to an hour and a half I had a full charge. Hooked it up with one of Joe B's fill hoses just like the one in the photos above and topped off all my guns. Honestly, it's like a brand new setup. The cost? about $5 worth of gas to go get it.
I cringe when anyone spends the price of a new gun for a tank. I also cringe when anyone pays the price of several new guns for a compressor. There are plenty of really inexpensive tanks available. My experience is not atypical. Furthermore, used Shoebox compressors can be had for a very reasonable price and they're inexpensive to overhaul and you can do it yourself. Yes, they're slow. But the only ones who can justify any of those expensive compressors are shooting clubs and such. God bless those fortunate individuals who can afford them. But I, and many others, can't. But I can afford 2 Shoebox compressors. Both were used and in good shape. I have one to use, and the other for a quick backup. I'm not looking to upgrade compressors. Recently I came across another cheap carbon fiber tank. I've passed on several others too. And with the hundreds and hundreds I've saved, I bought a near new FX Wildcat and a new scope and rings too!!! I put my meager money where it did the most good; in a top notch GUN. I've got 3 PCP's and one of them is an air hog (.25 cal Condor). I regularly (every day) shoot all three of them. My wife shoots too. I'm having a BLAST! And I'm doin' it CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP.
If you have the money and simply want a new tank, then by all means go for it. But to say that it's not necessary is an understatement. It REALLY is NOT necessary. Your new tank, from whomever you purchase it, won't look or function one whit better than my free one. And lastly, the expired tank that I got for free, and also my other tank, may very well soon be extended to 30 years instead of 15 years. That means I can have them inspected, hydroed, and relicensed. Will I do it? Not likely!
YMMV
BeemanR7