OK, I didn't read ALL the posts so if I'm saying something that's already been said please bear with me.
I'm a scuba diver as well as a new paintballer. Scuba shops will NOT fill a tank that is not in hydro or that does not have a current VIP (Visual Inspection Program) sticker on it. The shops themselves will do the VIP for you for about $15. Hydro is sent out and is about $40. Hydro is every 5 years on a tank just like HPA paintball tanks. VIP needs to be done once every year or 6 months depending on the area.
Also the scuba shops are not supposed to fill a tank for you unless you have a valid diving certificate. If you can show them what you're doing and why then they may exempt you from this requirement. But don't waltz into the shop expecting that it is your right to have your tank filled. Talk to them first.
The upside is that you won't find cleaner air than from a scuba tank. Even HPA from a welding supply outlet is often not as clean. Scuba air is cleaner than what you breath if you're in a city.
So check with the local shop that you'll be dealing with for scuba air and talk to them. Explain what you're up to. Perhaps even bring in a marker to show them what you're doing.
And FWIW I just got a fill unit for my own scuba tanks. I've gotten about 10 fills of my 68/3000 before it went from the original 2800 down to 2000. I can live with that.
Charge your deadbeat buddies a buck a fill or something like $5 for the day. The second option is the best since that'll prevent them from complaining as the fill value goes down. They just have to come back more often. Just don't get more than you and two others "breathing" off the same tank. That'll easily pay for your refill on the scuba bottle and give you free air for the day plus put a few $ towards your investment.
I'm a scuba diver as well as a new paintballer. Scuba shops will NOT fill a tank that is not in hydro or that does not have a current VIP (Visual Inspection Program) sticker on it. The shops themselves will do the VIP for you for about $15. Hydro is sent out and is about $40. Hydro is every 5 years on a tank just like HPA paintball tanks. VIP needs to be done once every year or 6 months depending on the area.
Also the scuba shops are not supposed to fill a tank for you unless you have a valid diving certificate. If you can show them what you're doing and why then they may exempt you from this requirement. But don't waltz into the shop expecting that it is your right to have your tank filled. Talk to them first.
The upside is that you won't find cleaner air than from a scuba tank. Even HPA from a welding supply outlet is often not as clean. Scuba air is cleaner than what you breath if you're in a city.
So check with the local shop that you'll be dealing with for scuba air and talk to them. Explain what you're up to. Perhaps even bring in a marker to show them what you're doing.
And FWIW I just got a fill unit for my own scuba tanks. I've gotten about 10 fills of my 68/3000 before it went from the original 2800 down to 2000. I can live with that.
Charge your deadbeat buddies a buck a fill or something like $5 for the day. The second option is the best since that'll prevent them from complaining as the fill value goes down. They just have to come back more often. Just don't get more than you and two others "breathing" off the same tank. That'll easily pay for your refill on the scuba bottle and give you free air for the day plus put a few $ towards your investment.
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