BP/W and Steel Tanks

[DivingPrincessE]

Hi everyone, I have a noob question. Can you use a steel tank with a BP/W setup or is it too much weight? I usually need about 12-14 lbs of weight when diving locally...although I am new so I haven't really figured out my "ideal" weight. I will probably be able to drop some weight when I get more comfortable.

Thanks!

Update:
The dives I have done so far have been with an XS Mares BC (rental), a 7 mm Bare wetsuit, and an AL 80 tank. With this set up I've been using the 12-14 lbs. I should be recieving my Henderson Thermoprene 7 mm wetsuit any day now. I think it is a more compressed suit so it may shave off a pound or so, and experience will probably shave off a few more.

EmilyS has a good question, but I'd have to ask if she is diving wet or dry. (I'm also assuming that we are talking about a single tank rig only)

Do you currently use 12-14 lbs with a steel tank? If so the ~6 lbs of SS BackPlate in place of a portion of your current weight belt will not over weight you.

 

[medic001918]

You may still need weight depending on what the plate is made of. A stainless steel plate is usually 5-6 lbs negative. So you can drop that amount of weight. In time, you could find yourself diving with little to no weight on your belt. It's not a bad thing.

I dive a steel tank, and a steel plate and I don't need a weight belt when diving my drysuit with my complete rig.

Shane

 

[almitywife]

i dive a steel tank with bpw and 5mm semi dry and i usually have to wear about 4lbs only

cheers!

 

[SussexMedic]

My usual rig is DSS SS BP/W with Steel HP120 with no other weight. With an 80AL, I add 4 lbs to tank strap. You should have no problem.

 

[cap_bert]

I dive steel tanks and a dss bp/w singles setup. It is great! The negative weight of the plate allows you to take weight off of your belt. The dss setup is also available with weights that bolt on to the plate itself allowing even more weight to be taken off of the belt, and put in a place that (in my opinion) helps your overall trim. You don't need this option, it is probably overkill according to your weighing description, but it is something to think about if you are in cold water and need more weight.

The bottom line is that steel tanks and bp/w rigs are great together.

Good luck and happy diving.

_bert

 

[cool_hardware52]

Hi everyone, I have a noob question. Can you use a steel tank with a BP/W setup or is it too much weight? I usually need about 12-14 lbs of weight when diving locally...although I am new so I haven't really figured out my "ideal" weight. I will probably be able to drop some weight when I get more comfortable.

Thanks!

Do you currently use 12-14 lbs with a steel tank? If so the ~6 lbs of SS BackPlate in place of a portion of your current weight belt will not over weight you.

Keep in mind that if you are currently using a jacket BC it is very likely 2-4 lbs positive due to foam pads etc. That means in a Backplate and wing you may only need about 10 lbs of ballast, 6 of which could be the plate and harness, leaving about 4 lbs in a belt.

If on the other hand you are not currently using a steel tank you will need to adjust your weighting for the difference in buoyancy between al tanks and whatever steel you might choose to use.

Tobin

 

[shurite7]

When using a drysuit I prefer using a steel tank with my steel bp/w. That way I don't have to use any weight. Makes my diving so much easier in terms of buoyancy.

Now, if I'm using a drysuit or my 7mm wetsuit the steel tank or possibly the steel bp may be a bit much, for me that is.

Cheers

 

[MBH]

EmilyS has a good question, but I'd have to ask if she is diving wet or dry. (I'm also assuming that we are talking about a single tank rig only)

If she's diving dry I'd say go for it with a SS B/P and the steel tank of her choice. If she's diving wet- I would advise her to go with a Kydex or aluminum B/P and have her practice swimming up a full steel tank with a deflated wing.

A balanced rig is a beautiful thing, beyond that it can get ugly real fast.

 

[drbill]

Darn... when I dove my BP/W with my steel HP120 wet I still needed 36# of weight. Some of us just float like a butterfly(fish) and sting like a bee.

 

[MBH]

36 lbs wet...are you sure??

I regularly dive a 5mm with a AL B/P and an X8-119 and I only need 4 lbs to hold a safety stop at 15' (w/tank down to 500 psi).