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scuba tanks and HPA

Printed From: Tippmann Paintball
Category: Paintball Equipment
Forum Name: Upgrades and Customizing
Forum Description: Trick it out!
URL: http://www.tippmannsports.com/forum/wwf77a/forum_posts.asp?TID=152979
Printed Date: 22 September 2026 at 5:37am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: scuba tanks and HPA
Posted By: Fiestyboy
Subject: scuba tanks and HPA
Date Posted: 07 April 2006 at 2:26pm
scuba tanks are nothing but giant 3000psi compressed air tanks that  cost less (for the size atleast) than HPA tanks and they both run off compressed air. So why are HPA tanks so epensive? and is it possible to hook a paintball gun up to a scuba tank ( im not planning to run around with one but me and my friends are going to make a turret with it ).



Replies:
Posted By: Bruce A. Frank
Date Posted: 07 April 2006 at 2:50pm

Originally posted by Fiestyboy Fiestyboy wrote:

scuba tanks are nothing but giant 3000psi compressed air tanks that  cost less (for the size atleast) than HPA tanks and they both run off compressed air. So why are HPA tanks so epensive? and is it possible to hook a paintball gun up to a scuba tank ( im not planning to run around with one but me and my friends are going to make a turret with it ).

With adapters it is possible to run off a scuba tank. Metal tanks, aluminum or steel, are extremely inexpensive. But when you get into the realm of light weight fiberglass, carbon-fiber and Kevlar wrapped tanks you are into a very different category. They require more care to manufacture and also require several different steps to produce.

Wrapped tanks that sell for more than $150 are pretty much a ripoff. Some fancy electronic regulators or impressive brand names may push the price to $400 with little value received for the money spent.

But let's take a critical look at the actual cost of paintball wrapped tanks vs. scuba tanks. You do realize that once you have bought that $80 to $100 scuba tank that you will still have to buy a fairly high tech $80 to $100 regulator to use it for scuba diving.

The wrapped paintball tank comes with the regulator built into the valve. The wrapped tank with no regulator runs about $80 to $100. The paintball valve/regulator costs $45 to $65.

What you can do to do to save money is buy used. And, even on the use market, avoid those tanks that cost 3 times normal just because they have a widely known brand name on them.

All high pressure cylinders have to meet specific DOT mandated regulations. There may be some tanks that have special features that make them worth the ultra-high price to the buyer. But still, basically, all the tanks are the same. I bought mine on Ebay for less than half of the new price with 4 years left before I have to go the cost of a new hydrostatic test.



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Posted By: Fiestyboy
Date Posted: 07 April 2006 at 3:27pm
sweet. i should just try and find smaller scuba tanks and use those for my main air cuz i dont really care about the weight since i usually play defense.

http://www.scuba.com/shop/product.asp_Category_200_page_1_ recs_10


EDIT :they have a 3 pound 6cubic feet 3000 psi tank for like $83!

edit: what kind of hook ups would i need.


Posted By: chronic future
Date Posted: 07 April 2006 at 10:17pm
Originally posted by Fiestyboy Fiestyboy wrote:

and is it possible to hook a paintball gun up to a scuba tank 

yes i've done it.
 


Posted By: hybrid-sniper
Date Posted: 07 April 2006 at 11:04pm

Originally posted by Fiestyboy Fiestyboy wrote:

sweet. i should just try and find smaller scuba tanks and use those for my main air cuz i dont really care about the weight since i usually play defense.

http://www.scuba.com/shop/product.asp_Category_200_page_1_ recs_10


EDIT :they have a 3 pound 6cubic feet 3000 psi tank for like $83!

edit: what kind of hook ups would i need.

Ha ha, a 6 CF tank is pretty (and by pretty I mean very) useless. Get an 80 at the least.

All you need to buy besides a K-Valved SUBA tank is the adaptor to fill your little tank. It can be bought at any paintball store. Just ask, or search for "HPA fill station" if it's online.



Posted By: Bruce A. Frank
Date Posted: 08 April 2006 at 6:01pm

Originally posted by Fiestyboy Fiestyboy wrote:

sweet. i should just try and find smaller scuba tanks and use those for my main air cuz i dont really care about the weight since i usually play defense.

http://www.scuba.com/shop/product.asp_Category_200_page_1_ recs_10


EDIT :they have a 3 pound 6cubic feet 3000 psi tank for like $83!

edit: what kind of hook ups would i need.

I have seen adapters available on Ebay and other on-line stores that allow connection between the scuba valve and the paintball style valve.

Ask chronic future  how  he did it.



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Posted By: chronic future
Date Posted: 09 April 2006 at 9:33am
Buy one of http://www.actionvillage.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=SnqLmoaBLiqLEcK4Qc9LMoxI7zo-RrJd0ds=?ProductID=EhesFAY7jiwAAAD42KvkrFs5 - these and attach your N2's fill nipple right into the quick disconnect, air up your unimount or w/e and then release the air on the scuba tank and there you go, you now have like 10,000 shots worth of air, but seeing how the tank has no booster, you'll only get up to 3000 psi in your n2 tank and it'll decrease the more air you use, just like your normal n2 tank would, just at a lot lower rate. have fun


Posted By: dead-eye_tippy
Date Posted: 09 April 2006 at 10:56am

All you need is:

1.) The SCUBA tank

2.) Your HPA tank and gun

3.) A Fill Station

4.) Remote line preferrably with slide check

With the fill station on the SCUBA tank, hook the HPA tank to the fill station, and then take the remote line from the tank to the gun, open the SCUBA tank valve and the slide check and make sure if you have an ASA that its screwed in, this will keep a regulated amount of air to your marker and it gives you about 8 times more air than the regular tank.  Of course this is only worth it if its mounted on a vehicle or a stationary turret, but it works great

 



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