Pros and cons - steel tank vs aluminum?

[UFScubaDiver]

We can discuss the issue of steel tanks and wetsuits another time
Rick

Ive seen this over the boards and was looking for an explanation, and yes im a dive noob.
-Tom

 

[countryboy]

...I'd _rather_ have steels but given my budget last year, and having to purchase all my gear, when it came to tanks I had to choose the most economical path.

On that topic, having your own tanks is still much better than having to rent them IMO, simply due to the flexibility of being able to decide on the fly to head out diving. Sometimes when my LDS is running large classes they are out of rental tanks.

You don't need to get everything right away..

When I started I did mostly warm water dives traveling and rented everything..
Then I bought gear minus the tanks, and borrowed / rented when needed..
Then I bought 2 aluminum 80's (cheap and I had tanks always ready)
Then I bought 2 Steel LP 108's, using as singles, plan on doubling later..
Now I just "borrowed" :14: a set of doubled aluminum 80's ..

It's true what they say.. tanks are like rabbits...

 

[NJMike]

The max integrated wt for the OceanPro BC is 20#.

I used 16# on a weight belt with a one pc. 5mm suit, but felt underweighted at the safety stop.

Today I am renting a 2 pc 7/5mm (1 pc is 7mm, 1 pc is 5mm). I will use (at least do a bouyancy check first) 20#, all in the BC. [I feel a question coming on...check my next post]

I am planning on buying a Pinnacle Elite wetsuit. It's a one pc. 7/5.

If the inegrated weight works ok today with the 2 pc 7/5, it should handle the Elite.

It's that whole "if A>B, and B>C, then A>C" thing.

I think.

 

[NJMike]

Next question: when I did the bouyancy check a month ago, 16# seemed to be right. I got in the water, let my breath out, let the air out of the BC, then sank down to eye level. It was as close as you could get it.

But I learned from that dive that it was hard staying neutral at 15' with approx. 500 lbs.

Is there an easy, quick way to guess at what a better weight should have been? It would have to be more - 1 or 2#?

 

[countryboy]

I do not think you will have enough weight using only 20 lbs... If you used 16 with a single 5mm suit and felt "uderweighted"...

Bring a belt and some extra lead and do a weight check.. Before and after the dive..

P.S. You hijacked your own thread.. (and we helped you along..)!

 

[jeckyll]

You don't need to get everything right away..

.........

You do have to get everything right away if you hate rental gear

I much prefer having my own gear and as long as someone can afford it, would recommend that new divers purchase their own gear. I think it add significantly to the enjoyment. Especially if you are diving someplace colder and a drysuit is advisable.

At first I thought I'd be fine with renting tanks and weights, but having a drysuit and using a weight belt is a PITA, so adding a DUI Weight and trim II fixed that. Then the tank thing became purely an economic argument. With my tanks hav already paid for themselves in the first year of owning them. At this point I've got 2 Al80's that are 'free' compared to having rented tanks and I've got the convenience of owning my own tanks.

 

[NJMike]

How do you hijack your own thread?

 

[Rick Murchison]

I would probably take a medium, so how would that change your earlier comments?

I'd say the medium should be ok. You'll be able to put the 25# worth of air in it on the bottom with 9 to spare.
Piece of cake.
Rick

 

[TSandM]

Am I reading this right? You got in the water with a full tank, exhaled and let the air out of your BC, and floated at eye level? How did you manage to descend, then?

If you weight yourself neutral at the surface with a full tank, you then need to add the weight of the gas you expect to use during the dive, in order to be neutral with an empty tank at the end of the dive.

 

[Marvel]

...And lastly Redheads and Brunettes over Blondes.

See, mania? I TOLD you he liked you better.... [/hijack]