Looking at high capacity tanks (120cf) and have some questions

[Hostage]

I have been looking into buying tanks, more for the convience of not having to go to the scuba shop twice. One of the stores is offering me two used 120CF galvinized steel w/ din valve for about $150 each. It seems like a good price as that is about the same price another place is offering me a new AL80. I live near Lake Ontario and I just got a dry suit so I don't mind the extra weight. I am not horrible on air consumption, though I do like the idea having longer down time, diving deeper, and maybe trying tech diving later. The two tanks are currently setup as dual tanks w/ a manifold.

My questions are:

1) I get this funny feeling people think even 100CF tanks are to big, let alone a 120CF. Other than weight on the surface are there any big draw backs?

2) Is this a really good price?


I forgot to ask if it is HP or LP.

Regards,

Hostage

 

[diveprof]

$150 per tank is a good price if it has current VIP and hydro (if hydro is out or goes out within the next year you would be looking at $30-40 for hydro and VIP each tank - hydro is done every 5 years). HP vs LP may be an issue only if your local dive shop is unable to pump HP fills. Steel tanks allow you to take some weight off the weight belt. Personally , I would jump on this deal rather than buying an AL 80.

 

[Hostage]

It is 8 years out of hydro and they would sell it to me only after it was VIP'ed and hydro'ed. I think the price he quoted me was before he found out it was out of hydro. I don't know if he would include it in the cost or not, didn't ask him.

 

[herbdb]

Great deal, go for it. You will like the buoyancy characteristics, especially diving dry. You will be able to drop about 8- 10 lbs of weight.

 

[Tigerman]

I dive a 15L 230 bar (which makes for an actual content of 122cuft, probably called 120cuft in the US) tank here at home and yes, its heavy on land, but thats not an issue at depth. Infact I find they trim easier and as others has noted it means you can remove weight from your belt.
The weight of the tank really only is an issue while handling it on land, so if you can manage it on land and get the hydro/vis included in the price I would take it without hesitation.

 

[ajtoady]

If those are 120 CF HP tanks and you don't want them, I'll take them. Even if you have to pay extra for hydro $25 more it is still a good deal.

 

[TSandM]

How tall are you? 120s are very long tanks, and can be a bit of a PITA for short people (I can't sit down wearing one, for example). Otherwise, I agree that the price is good, especially if it includes a fresh hydro. I'm assuming the $300 doesn't include the bands and manifold? Because if it does, and you split the tanks up, you can recoup some of the tank cost by selling those parts.

 

[Scott L]

How tall are you? 120s are very long tanks, and can be a bit of a PITA for short people (I can't sit down wearing one, for example). Otherwise, I agree that the price is good, especially if it includes a fresh hydro. I'm assuming the $300 doesn't include the bands and manifold? Because if it does, and you split the tanks up, you can recoup some of the tank cost by selling those parts.

Yeah, 29" tall. I had a pair a couple of years ago and several charter boats hated them as they are difficult to secure onto racks, Etc. HP130's make more sense IMO...

 

[Hostage]

How tall are you? 120s are very long tanks, and can be a bit of a PITA for short people (I can't sit down wearing one, for example). Otherwise, I agree that the price is good, especially if it includes a fresh hydro. I'm assuming the $300 doesn't include the bands and manifold? Because if it does, and you split the tanks up, you can recoup some of the tank cost by selling those parts.

I am 5' 10.5". I did try the dual tanks on w/ the BC it was attached to, it was a bit heavy. I wouldn't want to go for a long walk wearing it, though for just putting it on and going it seemed fine in weight and length. The store owner is also trying to sell the dual regs and BC to me as well for what he calls as a steal. He seems very fair and down to earth. He said some tech diver quit diving. I need to get more info on the BC and regs, though I don't really plan on attempting tech for a year or two.

 

[rlynch]

good price if your tall enough for them to trim out in the water. Out of water they are what they are. I'm 5'6" and max out lenght wise on 26" tanks depending on how they are balanced.