HP130 for lobster diving and spear fishing

[rx7diver]

... I am just under 6 feet and 215 lbs. I am relatively fit ... I will be doing boat and shore dives. One of the main reasons I got into diving was spearfishing ... I have some interest in maybe doing deeper tech stuff, but I do not see that here in the immediate future. Also I am nitrox trained and any tank I get will likely be for Nitrox ... Originally I was trying to decide between steel HP100 and HP120's. I was thinking I would get two for any boat dives. I can say that I think I have ruled out HP120s, as I think they maybe a bit too long ...

You want to be agile and quick for spearfishing, correct? A single cylinder would seem to be better for this. A HP100 is an excellent choice for this for single-tank, nitrox, recreational diving wearing a thick wetsuit (IMHO). It is skinny enough (7.25" OD, like an AL 80), has sufficient capacity if you have a "respectable" SAC rate, and not too negatively buoyant when full.

HP120 might work, too, but it is too tall for me (6' 2") to either schlep or wear comfortably as a single cylinder.

Even better would be a steel cylinder having capacity of ~100 ft^3 but with a ~6.9" OD--provided it has the "correct" buoyancy characteristics (IMHO). Does Faber make such a tank?

A HP130 has an OD of 8", so not skinny enough, maybe.

rx7diver

 

[grf88]

For my diving which is mostly Great Lakes boat diving I have, for some years, mostly used an 130 HP with H-valve. I don't find any issue with roll. Recently I have started to use HP100's due to their lighter weight but I am somewhat past my "Best Before Date" and the knees are a problem.

 

[tmassey]

Even better would be a steel cylinder having capacity of ~100 ft^3 but with a ~6.9" OD--provided it has the "correct" buoyancy characteristics (IMHO). Does Faber make such a tank?

They most certainly do — but only if filled past its rated pressure. (Known as an LP85, the favorite ‘small’ tank of cave divers everywhere.) Sadly, they don’t make a HP version — just the 7.25” diameter version.

 

[johndiver999]

You will benefit from having 2 or 3 identical tanks which will allow you to fine tune your weighting for various exposure suits that are required during different times of the year. You probably want enough volumetric capacity to complete a no-deco dive and approach the deco limit and still have some reserve. As you progress, you may conclude that since spearfisherman tend to get separated/distracted; they can be terrible buddies. Thus, you may also be considering a pony bottle in the near future.

In an attempt to stay as streamlined as possible and to not carry a huge amount of weight, you may want to consider the smallest tank which will meet your needs based on your SAC. If you are diving in around 90-110 feet (with nitrox), there is a pretty good chance most people can get away with a HP 100 cu-ft tank. If you are going to be diving shallower, a larger tank might be needed.

 

[Barnaby'sDad]

I’ve got a similar question to the OP, so I’ll just jump into this thread rather than start a new one.

I’ve got a pair of HP100’s at the moment. They’re perfect for the vast majority of dives that I’ll be doing. I.e. I got two dives out of one of them this weekend. There being a shortage of any new steel tanks and limited used options, I’m thinking about other options for a second pair of tanks.

My buddy has a pair of HP130’s. I don’t have specifics on make and model. I just know that they’re big tanks (8” diameter). For the right price, would you consider picking up a pair of them?

My main concern…other than how much heavier they are out of water, is how long does it take to get the “feel” of the in the water (trim)?

It’s been a while since I’ve been diving with a larger diameter tank (AL100), but I don’t have a recent point of reference. I remember that they (rental AL100’s) were too big for the tank racks and were a pain to secure to the rails.

I don’t really NEED extra tanks at the moment. I just thought it would be nice to have a second pair around if they aren’t a bigger pain in the butt than they’re worth. I would have the opportunity to test dive them, so there’s that. Thoughts?

 

[grf88]

Reading you post it would appear that you are using the 100's as singles and not as doubles. 130's make great singles and feel fine in the water, I can't comment on them as doubles as I decided against that shortly after purchasing them. I have H-valves on mine with two first stages. 100's make great doubles and also sidemount.

 

[Barnaby'sDad]

Reading you post it would appear that you are using the 100's as singles and not as doubles. 130's make great singles and feel fine in the water, I can't comment on them as doubles as I decided against that shortly after purchasing them. I have H-valves on mine with two first stages. 100's make great doubles and also sidemount.

Apologies for not clarifying that. Yes, they’ll be used as back-mounted singles. The 100’s are used in that configuration, as well.

 

[The Chairman]

I loved my HP130s, but think my LP120s are even better... especially with a cave fill.

 

[The Chairman]

I have also side-mounted both HP130s and LP120s with no problems. If I need that much gas though, I prefer to dive a breather.

 

[JohnN]

FWIW, I have two HP130’s and some tall HP120’s. I’m 6’-1”, but have a long torso and short legs. I’m still trying to get the HP130’s to trim out when they are < half full. I’m go very head heavy. My next try will to move the weights (5 lbs each side) to the lower cam bands. Moving the wing higher on the tank helped, but wasn’t nearly enough. I went back to the HP120’s just to prove to myself I hadn’t forgotten how to dive. Fins are Hollis F1’s