Is a SCUBA Tank Worthwhile?

SCUBA tanks are best for low fill guns. One of mine fills to 1450, another to 150 bar (about 2200 psi), one to 1900, and one to 250 bar (about 3600 psi). My SCUBA tanks work great for everything but the 3600 psi gun, it gets exactly zero complete fills. It does, however work nicely for getting that gun up into the high 2000s and then a short 50-60 stroke pump session gets me into the 230 bar range. 

If you structure your PCP purchases to low fill guns, or tune then that way when possible, a SCUBA tank will work and is a valid option, but an SCBA tank (4500psi) is gonna get you a lot further with most of the guns people are interested in these days. 

If you look around you can be in a scba tank and fill station for under $200. I have put together 2 a 44 CF and a 65 CF with 5 years left on the life of the tanks.

Yeah, you are absolutely correct, this hobby is more than a little pricy … it can be downright deadly to your finances to start out. By the time you get the guns you want, the compressor you want, the pellets that work best in your guns, the chronograph you want and all the little incidentals that go along with this sport … yeah, it can leave you scratching your head. However the 4500 psi tank will probably be one of the most cost efficient items with a useful lifetime that can last upwards of 15 years. Not trying to talk you into anything, everything is expensive … use your head and don't put yourself in a bind. Get what you can get when you can get it and the rest can wait for a more opportune time.

I've been into PCP's for 17 years and have made the buy cheap and regret it mistake many times. My first bit of advice to any inexperienced newbie is to never buy scuba tanks and old SCBA tanks as an economy choice. The temptation is to save money but it ends up costing you more in the long run. It also doesn't make sense to invest in a high end compressor until you know you're really hooked into airguns for the long term Yong Heng class compressors cost as little as a hand pump did 15 years ago. The best bang for the buck for a newbie is to buy a Yong Heng compressor or Shoebox F10 and a new 6.8L tank set from Aliexpress that you can fill yourself. When you graduate to owning several high quality PCPs it then makes sense to trade up to a quality tank set like Omegas or from Airtanksforsale and a quality compressor that is more convenient and reliable.

I personally have no problem using old scba tanks. There cheap and just the right size for on the go. I got a deal on a used great white but its a heavy beast and will just be used around the house if I don't end up selling it first and buying a real compressor.

Grenade, Ihave never heard of a scba letting go. I have seen a Burst disk or two let go on scuba and SCBA. It can get exciting to have a 80 CF Scuba pop the burst disk at 3500# while filling a SCBA rated at 4500#, 4 grown men hitting the floor even though the tank didn't move much all the stuff on the walls started flying around.

I started out using older scba tanks as I have a guy that would fill them regardless. What's strange is since I bought a great compressor I have now started buying new airtanks. It's counter intuitive, and I dont fully understand why I'm doing it now. Perhaps I hit my head too hard when I was a kid. That would also explain this obscenely expensive hobby.

I use two 12 liter scuba tanks for bunk storage. I charge them to 235 bar and fill my guns from them. Just because your gun may accept 250 bar doesn't mean you need to charge to that pressure. I get about 70 rounds out of my .25 Crown when charged to 235 bar and I can shoot all day from one 12 liter tank.

Maybe this one? if you are into Scuba, have only 200 Bar AG's, do not have to carry it around much and can get it hydroed every 3 years. Most likely better off with a Great White

Luxfer Limited 106 Cylinder with DIN valve




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Luxfer Limited 106 Cylinder with DIN valve

This is a Luxfer 4350 PSI Air Tank Wrapped Aluminum 105 Cubic Foot 

This is a special cylinder manufactured by Luxfer. It is a composite cylinder manufactured of both aluminum and fiberglass. It starts out as a standard scuba 80 cu ft cylinder. Hoop-wrapped fiberglass and resin is added to strengthen the side walls. This allows for an increased service pressure to 4350 psi and a capacity of 106 cubic feet. This cylinder falls under DOT Special Permit 12479. Requirements of SP12479 is a hydro re-test each three years and a fifteen year service life. The inlet to this cylinder is unlike most other scuba cylinders, utilizing 7/8" x 14 UNF threads (a smaller hole). The choice of valves is restricted to a 300 bar DIN valve with the correct 7/8" x 14 UNF threads. AIR SERVICE ONLY.

INLET THREADS FEATURES

• 7/8" - 14 UNF, Small hole
• Requires a dedicated 300 bar DIN valve
• Attachment of DIN first stages only

HIGH PRESSURE FEATURES

• 4350 psi service pressure

HIGH VOLUME FEATURES

• 106 cu ft capacity

SERVICE LIFE INSTRUCTIONS

• Hydro retest every three years :-(
• Remove from service at fifteen years

4350 psi COMPATIBILITY FEATURES

• Check with the manufacturer of your regulator & pressure gauge to ensure they are compatible with 4350 psi

CANADA INFORMATION

• No permit for use

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https://www.onlinescuba.com/Luxfer-Limited-106-Cylinder-with-DIN-valve-P3800.aspx