obscure brands

[VR78]

Hello,

I have been looking for tanks similar to X7-120 in buoyancy and dimensions, and I keep seeing a few brands, mostly on European websites, that I don't know anything about; things like Polaris and Subgear and Vitkovice and Eurocylinder. For most of them I can't even find exact sizes, never mind the galvanization protocol. Any thoughts on these? Thank you!

 

[BRT]

I'm not an expert but I think you will run into problems with valve thread sizes and DOT ratings on European tanks. The hot dip galvanized tank is gone right now. I hope someone tells me I am wrong.

 

[tbone1004]

where are you looking? your first post mentioned three very different locations. If you want tanks currently being manufactured, then the Faber FX-120 is the only one available new in the USA. It has similar buoyancy and sizing specs to the older Worthington and PST hot dip galvanized bottles. For Europe you're on your own, but for consistency I would just stick with Faber for new bottles. I prefer PST, but they are difficult to find here and I am not sure they were ever exported outside of North America.

 

[VR78]

where are you looking?

Well that's the point. I'm sort of located in all three countries...
FX-120 is noticeably longer that X7-120, and positively buoyant when empty isn't it?

 

[tbone1004]

negative, the FX-120 is an X7-120, but the Worthingtons and PST tanks won't be available elsewhere.

FX-120 is the same general form factor as the X7-120, but it is 1.5" longer, you get an extra 8cf though, it's actually a 128. Also note when you are looking at the Faber buoyancy specs that does not include a valve, so add like 1.5-2lbs for the valve weight which puts them closer in line with the PST buoyancy specs. Worthingtons tend to be heavier in general. You are either in the FX-120 for modern tanks, or the FX-133 if you want a similar height. Also note in Europe they have a lot of different tank options so you are only going to get "close" likely not exact to the options in the US. Singapore might not have great access to steel tanks so you may be stuck with aluminum

 

[VR78]

Also note when you are looking at the Faber buoyancy specs that does not include a valve

Thank you! I didn't know that.

 

[KevinNM]

I have no idea what the tank regs are in Singapore, but you can obtain a lot of very nice tanks in Europe that you probably can't get filled in the US and certainly can't get a hydro test done because they are not approved for US use. So be careful to avoid getting tanks you can't use.