[PaintballLane]

I am looking to get a 80 cf scuba tank to fill my own tanks to save trips every weekend to getting filled. Any info on this would be great. I have a 88 4800 tank and a smaller steel 3000 tank for my spare also. I understand scuba tanks are only 3000 and my 4800 will only get 3000. How many fills can I get out of the scuba and is it worth doing? Thanks.

[tgs-killer]

I'm in the same scenario as you, PaintballLane
Most people would just post things like, "This is in the wrong forum, please post on the Air-system forum" or "read the air-system forum sticky". But I'm steering away from that here. There are two charts that you can refer to. One is a preset chart showing a general estimation of a few scuba tank's fill numbers (first link), and the other is an actual calculator (second link):

http://tinypic.com/jskf9e.jpg

http://www.scubatoys.com/paintball/scubafills2.asp

Remember that when getting a scuba tank, either new or used, you will need a "Fill-Station" -- this device attaches to the scuba tank and safely and reliably transfers the air from the scuba tank into your paintball tank. If buying a used scuba tank, you will likely need to re-hydro test it in addition to getting an annual visual inspection. Both of which can be done at 'Sports-Chalet' at a low cost of $35 and you can even get a fill there as well. Regardless of tank size, air fills are $5
Is it worth getting a scuba tank? If you have the money, without a doubt. If you don't have the money, it definitely worth saving up for. It's convenient to have access to a refill source in your own home rather than having to drive to a field or store. If you are marker tech savvy, then having a refill air-source are your disposal is a must, even if it only allows for very limited amount of air fills. For me, I have to go to the shop at least 2-3 times a week, and at $4.50 a fill for my 68/45K..that adds up to A LOT of money. So with the money that I've spent on fills alone, I could have instead bought a used scuba tank and fill station. If you can get a deal on a couple of scuba tanks for a cheap price, you can begin to piece together a 'CASCADED MULTI-SCUBA/SCBA TANK TRANSFILL SET-UP' which gives you the ability to either achieve more fills or get fills to the actual desired PSI range (e.g., 3k & 45k), or both and vice versa. I hope this helps,

-Jarred

[PaintballLane]

Hey thanks alot for the info. I found a 80cf tank and fillstation on Craigslist I am gonna go pick up today. He bought the tank new and used it like 6 times. He just had it Hydroed, ultrasounded and a visual on it last week. He is asking $150 for it and it is full on air and a card for 3 free fills also. I like the idea of not driving 40 minute each way to go get filled every weekend, it will pay for itself this summer.

[Ohio83]

I have two scuba tanks and I use one to bring the HPA tank up to around 3000psi and then I use the second tank as a top off. It also allows me the ability to use the back-up and the primary once the primary has become empty.
This has saved me a lot of money and multiple trips per week to the store which is almost 70 miles round trip. Believe me...they are well worth the money!

Paul

[davito]

150 with a fill station is a great deal. I bought a tank new for 200 plus 65 ish for fill station setup