Need advice

[hwa0421]

Considering purchase my first tank (Steel HP 120).
I tried only AL80 and don't have chance to try other type.

I choose HP120 coz' I need lot of air, but worry about size & weight of tank.
I'm 175cm tall, 81kg weight person, only tropical diving with 3mm wet suit, shore/boat diving.
Maybe too heavy for trim or handle?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Charged]

Heres a link to a pretty good explanation on the matter of cylinder selection:
Dive Rite Express -- How to Select a SCUBA Tank

Myself, I weigh 200pds, 6'2" tall and I have selected to purchase the Worthington steel HP100 model X7-100 I just worked the deal today as a matter of fact. For $400 (no more, no less) I get the tank, 20 free air fills, 1st VIP free from my LDS. This decision was generated by reading old posts and asking questions here at scubaboard.com just as you have, including utilizing outside resources like the link I provided.

I did however, seriously consider purchasing the same type tank from the manufacturer PST. However, with the current economic crisis, and the fact that PST was sold in '06...I feel more comfortable with Worthington.

 

[hwa0421]

How about AL 100s ?
Actually here in Bali, I can't find steel tank and only AL 100s is biggest one.
Importing steel tank from US is too much hassel & high cost.

 

[james croft]

It sounds like you don't have much to pick from. A steel 120 is a hefty tank but you can eliminate some lead with it. I noticed you don't have a great number of dives under your belt yet.

I would expect that your air consumption will get much better as you gain more time in the water. Work on your techniques and breathing and you will soon find that your 80 will last as long as everyone else you are diving with. I bought AL 100s for the same reason years ago but as I gained experience I became much better with my SAC rate and have not used the 100s much as the bouyancy "swing" characteristics of the AL 100 is not very good.

 

[Colliam7]

Considering purchase my first tank (Steel HP 120).
I tried only AL80 and don't have chance to try other type. I choose HP120 coz' I need lot of air, but worry about size & weight of tank. I'm 175cm tall, 81kg weight person, only tropical diving with 3mm wet suit, shore/boat diving. Maybe too heavy for trim or handle?

I do not see a problem for you diving a HP120. I am 178cm and 90kg, and have dove them for years. In fact, I dive double HP120s. Having said that, if I were to do it again, I would probably NOT buy 120s, and go with 130s instead, because the 120s are a bit long for me. Nonetheless they work well.

How about AL 100s ? Actually here in Bali, I can't find steel tank and only AL 100s is biggest one. Importing steel tank from US is too much hassel & high cost.

I have dove AL100s, and they are probably my least favorite tank, simply because they are bigger diameter, and don't fit as well on some boats. Personally, I don't care for the way they trim out, especially at the end of a dive, but that is just my experience. I would stick with an AL80 and work toward improiving my gas consumption.