Putting together a Pony Tank

[Jorgy]

I am a fan of a 3/4 or 1 inch face pressure gauge.......

Blue Reef Pony Bottle Tank Small Pressure Gauge

Easier to read than a "button" gauge and stays out of the way......no hose.......

Hope this helps.......M

 

[FireInMyBones]

Go to the following link DIR-diver.com - Stagebottle rigging

+1

I went with an OMS Workhorse-It rumored to be pretty tough and the price was right.

I love mine.

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

If you take this bad advice you'll be diving at least 50x without a redundant air source that you're ready and willing to pay for and use. If you run into a low or out of air emergency, which is probably more likely for a newer diver, I hope the last thing you aren't thinking is "Damn why did I listen to that OldGrumpyguy on that internet forum who told me to throw the Pony bottle in a closet?"

There's nothing inherently complicated about using a pony, like anything else it takes some practice.

Good to see some new divers getting right into some of these additional available resources. I only started using a pony in the past few years, before that I had a Spare Air cylinder which I maintain is better than nothing but definitely inferior to a Pony Bottle for most recreational diving applications

I am sure all the reputable dive certification agencies are rushing to follow your advice and now going to recommend all new divers sling an AL30 pony bottles based on your advice:shocked2: Heck PADI may even offer a pony c-card with a picture of you on it in respect for all the wise advice and general good cheer you offer

A pony a a tool, it can be a very good tool or clutter depending on how you use it. It is just not one I would recommend to a new diver, especially an AL30 that needs to be slung.

 

[idocsteve]

Heck PADI may even offer a pony c-card with a picture of you on it in respect for all the wise advice and general good cheer you offer

I already asked.

PADI said no way

 

[Dr Wu]

Last years leftovers are still good when you get into an OOA situation at 90 feet.

I would advise planning on not going OOA in the first place but aparently that sort of thinking is no longer in vogue.

My how things have changed.

 

[idocsteve]

I would advise planning on not going OOA in the first place but aparently that sort of thinking is no longer in vogue.

My how things have changed.

Even with the best of planning, things can go awry.

People screw up, equipment malfunctions, mother nature can be relentless.

"S**T Happens"

 

[drdaddy]

If you take this bad advice you'll be diving at least 50x without a redundant air source that you're ready and willing to pay for and use. If you run into a low or out of air emergency, which is probably more likely for a newer diver, I hope the last thing you aren't thinking is "Damn why did I listen to that OldGrumpyguy on that internet forum who told me to throw the Pony bottle in a closet?"

There's nothing inherently complicated about using a pony, like anything else it takes some practice.

Good to see some new divers getting right into some of these additional available resources. I only started using a pony in the past few years, before that I had a Spare Air cylinder which I maintain is better than nothing but definitely inferior to a Pony Bottle for most recreational diving applications

New divers need to be diving with a buddy and learning basic skills before adding on stuff like a pony that will actually compromise their well being through task loading.

His questions and obvious newness to diving add to my firmness in this advice.

By the way - I dive with a pony whether I'm solo (like last weekend) or with a buddy (like tomorrow).

 

[idocsteve]

By the way - I dive with a pony whether I'm solo (like last weekend) or with a buddy (like tomorrow).

Me too.

 

[Graeme Tolton]

I had a button gauge... problem is that they can be very difficult to read under water, especially in the dark.. I took it off and replaced it with a 6" HP hose and a small brass spg. I also use my al30 for more than just a way out of an ooa situation. any regulator will work, but pay you do want something of decent quality. The only exception to "any" is a sherwood due to their dry bleed system. Sherwoods however are great regs. I sling mine. I find any other backmount system to be a PITA.

 

[eth727]

Thanks for all the great replies and advice. As for "Grumpy Old Guy", the pony is for you or any diver that has OOA including myself. As far as it fumbling around and having extra crap to carry around, I would rather do that than having OOA.