For you "I fill my own tanks" PSA

I don't want to come across as too preachy here , but it needs to be mentioned again and again ...............................control the moisture output to your tank or airgun..............

Compressing air extracts any and all moisture from it.............WATER............... Unfortunately , water and highly compressed air = BAD MOJO for the aluminum liner in your tank and

airgun . I have purchased and sold a bunch of tanks and always remove the valve and take a peek inside. If it looks sparkling new and shiny , we're full steam ahead . Should there

be any oxidation (rust) or signs of contaminates...........a no - go . So far the only issues I have found are moisture contamination in a couple of tanks.............they will not be sold...

The liner is the vessel that contains the compressed air , the carbon fiber wrap is what keeps the liner from becoming an overstretched balloon and rupturing . This is why you never

read about exploding carbon fiber tanks , only on occasion an aluminum tank.......a couple of years ago. So my lesson is to control the moisture and keep your tank and airgun happy

and functioning the way that you expect . Lesson over . Here's one tank that is now a paperweight..........

20250504_135905.jpg
20250504_135916.jpg
20250504_135957.jpg
20250504_140108.jpg
 
Totally agree, 120%. Got into airguning last year and after getting water into my big bore twice, I've maybe went a bit overboard on filtration. But not getting any now.
1st is centrical filter, 2nd has color changing silica beads, 3rd has moleculer seave.
I'd rather have a the longer run time filling the filters verses cleaning out the gun or tank. Or creating a bomb thru the negligence of not doing that little bit extra.
Was shooting on my range this morning after it rained overnight, obviously lots of moisture still in the air, but no worries. Checked silica beads after coming in and barely any change in 1st 1/2 inch after shooting 100 rounds.

20250404_195435.jpg


20250504_105721.jpg
 
Good for you , and you are not creating a "bomb" by introducing moisture into the tank . What will happen over time is that as the liner corrodes , the it will eventually leak. The tank will not explode or create any danger.................it just won't be airtight ...............and after all , that's what we seek >
 
  • Like
Reactions: BriarpatchMtn
I have never had a drop of air / a mist of air come out of my fill bottles, i often turn them upside down and open the valve to see if there are any air in there.
Also never seen any form of moisture or dirt in the pipe tanks on my Cyclone and lately Epic Two rifles that i have had apart.
Changing valve / valve / fill station on my 9L tank i did stick a bore scope down inside it, and saw what i would assume a bottle should look like on the inside, but this 9L bottle also only seen 1 year of use until now.
So bottles filled by dive shop.
Bottle filled by Viking airgunner.
And now bottles filled by myself, have no moisture.

Mind you looking at the valve on the #4 stage of my compressor clearly indicate that something pass by there, this something also find its way to the vapour trap on my compressor, but the drain on the filter just have air coming out when i "drain " it during fills.

Stage #4 return valve spring after 20 hours of use.

Return valve spring.jpg
 
Last edited: