HP steel 120 or 130?

[Squid]

HI,
When I do deeper dives to about ~100', I end up with only about 500 PSI after an extended safety stop with my HP steel 100. I was thinking of getting another bigger tank- maybe a 120 or 130, and a pony bottle for emergencies. There isn't much difference in size between a 120 and a 130. Should I just get a 130? I dive singles with my SP Knighthawk BC.
Thanks

 

[skresch]

I'm looking into the same thing right now, I'm leaning towards the 130 if I can find it at a good price.

 

[njd3rph]

none of the above, I vote for doubles

 

[Rainer]

Or save some money and just dive a bit more and your SCR will likely fall. I'm NDL limited at 100', not gas limited on a HP100.

 

[Tom Winters]

HP120's are 7.25" in diameter; LP130's are 8". I got a set of LP104's, roughly equivalent to the HP130's and they are heavy after a long day of diving. My wife's HP100's I could carry all day long. The LP104's replaced LP125's which were not only heavy but too tall to carry easily.
Think about a 30 or 40 cube pony bottle and keep the 100's. 40's are more common and what I use for deco gasses, but a 30 sure would be easier to deal with on recreational dives.

 

[texdiveguy]

I would not even think of advising you on what to do in regards to a cylinder purchase.....but look at the other factors that will improve your gas consumption....a bigger cylinder is not always the answer to the issue.

Having said that---I use a PST HP st130 and routenly fill to 4000psi giving me ample gas for several nice dives for sport dive profiles. I carry a 19cf pony bottle also on all rec dives.

 

[nereas]

I did not think PST was making tanks at the moment, therefore 130s and 140s are pretty hard to get in the USA right now. There are probably a fair amount of 120s floating around, though.

My own recommendation for your situation would be twin LP 72s with a manifold & bands, and a backplate, harness, & wing. Those will give you more flexibility than one huge tank as well.

 

[nereas]

HP120's are 7.25" in diameter; LP130's are 8". I got a set of LP104's, roughly equivalent to the HP130's and they are heavy after a long day of diving. My wife's HP100's I could carry all day long. The LP104's replaced LP125's which were not only heavy but too tall to carry easily.
Think about a 30 or 40 cube pony bottle and keep the 100's. 40's are more common and what I use for deco gasses, but a 30 sure would be easier to deal with on recreational dives.

If you are considering wearing a 100 on your back and a 40 slung, then twin LP 72s would give you the same volume at your disposal, and would be more balanced on your back instead.

 

[nereas]

none of the above, I vote for doubles

Right on! Good man.

 

[JohnW]

This might not be the answer for you, but twin 72's are very inexpensive.

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?p=2961070#post2961070