Adding weight to a tank

[dementid]

very true when i used a AL80 with a 3/2 full wet suit in fresh water I req at least 8 to 12 lbs of weight but since I went to a steel LP 95 I only need about 4lbs

 

[Skooter]

You can always do the old trick of adding a ankle weight around the tank valve. Most ankle weights weigh 1.5-2.0 lbs each.

 

[Belmont]

You can always do the old trick of adding a ankle weight around the tank valve. Most ankle weights weigh 1.5-2.0 lbs each.

Might not help his trim.
Maybe he can use one on his valve and one on his ankle.:cool2:

 

[strawhouse]

Thanks everyone for the tips,
-I would love to get a steel tank, tried it a couple of times and really liked it... need to save up for that.
-I know its still alot of weight that Im using but Im trying and eventually Ill get it down lower... I just keep practicing

 

[chokdeekap]

i use steel tanks with ( 12lt and 10lt ) 4 kg of weight on a belt ( 8.8 pounds) when i use my 12 Lt ,

i add an extra 1kg on my tank strap when i use my 10 lt
steel is the way forward

 

[Kern]

When you say your BCD is rated at 30lb, are you talking about the amount of weight that the integrated pockets can handle, or its lift capacity.

 

[Paco]

Doesn't your bc have pockets?

 

[elmer fudd]

Experiment with zip ties. You will drop more weight. Save your money for air. Find a good fill. That adds weight.

Zip ties do work pretty well. They're also dirt cheap, so if you decide later on that you don't need weight in that location you're not out any money. I've got 3 lbs. zip tied to my back plate right now.

 

[sabbath999]

Do find out, if you don't know, what the lift capacity of your BCD is... that's important when you are using integrated weights and adding weight to your tanks (or using steel tanks, most of which remain several pounds negative at the end of the dive.

Your BCD needs to have enough lift to keep it and all the weight you have on it at the beginning of the dive floating in whatever water you are in. In fresh water, a lot of heavily laden BCD's are very close to sinking out of site.

Another thing to keep in mind with a weight integrated BCD or one that is quite negative is you need to practice in safe, shallow water (like, say, a pool) getting in and out of the thing at depth. A LOT of people do this skill ONLY when they are in OW class, and generally most people in OW class are trained with weight belts, at least around here.

If you have all your weight in your BCD and are wearing an exposure suit, when you take it off under water (say, to remove an entanglement) you are going to take off like a rocket because you are so positive and it is so negative.

You can deal with this, but it does take practice.

 

[aquaregia]

I used a weight belt to keep 3lbs around my tank for trim because my cambands were unsuitable for the weights I had.