reg setup for pony bottle?

[bdshort]

Not sure if this should go here or somewhere else, but I'm posting it here. I'm considering the purchase of a pony bottle for an extra margin of safety, especially on deeper dives (within rec limits, not into tec... yet!). What's the standard config for a pony bottle? The dive shop was telling me that I should run my primary 2nd stage from the 1st stage of my main tank, and run my octo from the 1st stage on the pony bottle. I was thinking I'd keep the octo coming from the main 1st stage, and have a 3rd 2nd stage bungied to the pony bottle which would be slung on my left side. They said a 3rd 2nd stage wasn't really needed and would just add extra complication, since it would basically be a rec and not tec setup.

What should I go with? In either case, I'd probably order a new 1st and 2nd stage for my main air (like an Apeks ATX50 or something), and relegate my Aqualung Titan to the pony.

Brian

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Slinging the pony and keeping the octo is a good approach.

 

[terrasmak]

You sound to be on the right path , make sure you pony is a 40 so it can be a stage later as you progress.

 

[karstdvr]

Ever consider going to a Y or H valve,and using some type of gas rule like 1/3rds or 1/2 plus 200. This would give you some form of redundancy saving the need for an extra tank,plus if you buy left and right hand H valves you'll be in a position for "tech".

 

[markfm]

2nd, independent, first and second stage is the norm for a pony, for rec use.

 

[down4fun]

When I set up my pony I had just gotten new regs to set up doubles (which I now use for single tank rec as I have not been able to complete my transition to doubles yet )so I used my old (less than 2 years) Aqualung Titan rig for my pony. It works great. I carry it slung as suggested by others.

 

[prthd9]

Keep your octo on your primary first stage and get a second reg set-up for the pony. Screw those guys at your LDS.

 

[mike_s]

Keep your octo on your primary first stage and get a second reg set-up for the pony. Screw those guys at your LDS.

I agree. Keep your octo on your primary 1st stage.

What would happen if you had to hand your pony off to another diver who was low/out of air.... then you'd be diving w/o a backup 2nd stage octo. You'd be screwed.

 

[jeckyll]

I don't know how taking your secondary off would seem like a good idea to anyone.

Where do people come up with this stuff...

 

[bdshort]

I don't know either, maybe I misunderstood but it didn't make a lot of sense when they said it. I like my LDS too, btw! Very nice people.