Gardena, California
Paintball Tank Hydrotesting
Need to requalify your paintball or airsoft HPA tank? If you’re planning to mail it in, contact us with the cylinder markings first. We’ll let you know whether the tank is eligible and confirm the shipping instructions.
How to ship a tank for hydrotesting
- Send photos of the cylinder markings. Include the brand and model, size, pressure rating, DOT or ISO markings, manufacture date and last test marking if present. Tell us how many tanks you have and your return ZIP code.
- Get the shop’s instructions before shipping. Confirm eligibility, the receiving address, what paperwork to include, whether to leave the regulator attached, and how return shipping and payment are handled.
- Check your carrier’s rules before packing. Ask the carrier what it accepts and which packaging, markings and service it requires. Provide the cylinder’s actual contents and condition. If you’re unsure whether the tank is empty or how to prepare it, get help from a qualified tank technician before shipping.
- Keep the tracking number. Include your contact information and any reference the shop asks for, and keep the tracking number for your records.
Follow the carrier’s packing requirements and pad the tank so it cannot move inside the box. Include your name, phone or email, return address, and any reference number the shop provides.
Wait for the shop’s shipping instructions. Follow the carrier’s rules for used cylinders, including empty ones. USPS cylinder mailing rules
Test results and tank lifespan
What happens after the hydrotest?
Pass. Your tank receives a new hydro date sticker.
Fail or unable to test. A tank may fail a visual inspection or be ineligible because it has reached its service-life limit. We may be unable to test it if excess threadlocker has seized the regulator or if we no longer support its DOT or ISO approval number, for example because the applicable approval was not renewed.
How do I check the lifespan of a carbon-fiber or alloy tank?
- Carbon fiber. Find the original manufacture month and year, the DOT special permit or ISO marking, and any final-use date printed on the label. If yours has a 15-year limit, count 15 years from the original manufacture date. A later hydro date does not restart that clock.
- Aluminum alloy. Look for the original manufacture date, the most recent test mark, and the specification stamped on the cylinder, such as DOT-3AL. Check the rules for that specification and the manufacturer’s instructions. A 15-year limit does not apply to every alloy tank.
If you’re unsure, send us clear photos of all markings before shipping.
Do small tanks need periodic hydrotesting?
Under U.S. DOT rules, qualifying specification cylinders with an outside diameter of 2 inches or less and a length under 24 inches are excepted from periodic requalification under 49 CFR 180.209(a). Damage or another condition can still require testing before use. Send us the markings and dimensions to check what applies to your tank. Read the PHMSA guidance.
Who pays for return shipping?
We calculate return postage after service based on the destination, packed dimensions, weight, and shipping method. We’ll give you the total for testing, any regulator work, packing, and return postage. Customers pay for return shipping before we send their tanks back.
Typical return packages
Packed weights include the box, padding, and tank or tanks with their regulators. The box and padding fees below are separate from postage.
| Tanks | Box size (in.) | Packed weight | Box + padding |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 × 6 × 6 | 2.5 lb | $2.00 |
| 2 | 14 × 12 × 6 | 6 lb | $3.50 |
| 3 | 14 × 12 × 10 | 11 lb | $4.50 |
For an estimate, enter 90247 as the origin ZIP, your return ZIP as the destination, and the packed dimensions and weight above. Use Priority Mail pricing if USPS lists it as an option for the package. The calculator estimates postage only.
Paintball tank hydrotesting FAQs
Can I mail in my paintball HPA tank for hydrotesting?
Email or call before you ship. Send clear photos of the tank markings and your return ZIP code so the shop can confirm whether it can accept your cylinder and give you the mail-in details.
Do you remove, inspect, and repair regulators?
Yes. We remove the regulator for the hydrotest and can tell you if we find damage or broken parts. Removal and reinstallation cost $10 per tank. A rebuild is $25 per regulator and includes disassembly, inspection, replacement of all seals (piston, pin valve, fill nipple, and regulator-to-tank), and testing of output pressure and recharge rate. New regulators start at $35 and vary by brand and model.
How much is a paintball tank hydrotest, and how long does it take?
Hydrotesting costs $45 per eligible DOT or ISO tank whether it passes or fails. Turnaround is 4–7 business days from receipt. Return shipping is collected after service and before we ship the tank back.
What is a hydrotest?
Hydrostatic testing is a way to check whether a cylinder can continue in service. A qualified tester inspects the cylinder and uses water to test it under pressure.
How do I know if my tank is due?
Look for the manufacture date, any later requalification marking, and the cylinder specification or special permit. The test interval and service life depend on those markings. Share clear photos with the shop if you’re unsure.
Which tanks can I send?
We hydrotest eligible DOT- or ISO-marked tanks. We do not test TC-stamped tanks. Send clear photos of the markings and any damage so we can confirm eligibility before you ship.
What happens if my tank fails?
If a tank is condemned after a failed inspection or test, we drill a hole in its side to permanently take it out of service. You may ask us to dispose of it or have it shipped back at your expense. It cannot be used or refilled.