Renting Pony Tanks in Cozumel

[mcpowell]

+1 for 19 cf rental

 

[DandyDon]

+1 for 19 cf rental

Not going to happen. I pack mine on top of clothes and close to the zipper so security agents can get to it easily without spilling my bag. I use 2" electrical tape over the open end with both ends doubled back to make it easy for them to inspect the tank and replace the tape. I wrap the valve in bubble wrap inside a ziplock to keep bugs and debris out. I do want to keep it all clean in case I have to breathe from it. It's made many flights and been thru a few hydros. I never get it vized as I only use it in the Caribbean.

 

[mcpowell]

Not going to happen. I pack mine on top of clothes and close to the zipper so security agents can get to it easily without spilling my bag. I use 2" electrical tape over the open end with both ends doubled back to make it easy for them to inspect the tank and replace the tape. I wrap the valve in bubble wrap inside a ziplock to keep bugs and debris out. I do want to keep it all clean in case I have to breathe from it. It's made many flights and been thru a few hydros. I never get it vized as I only use it in the Caribbean.

I have lugged my pony once before. I just left it with Christi (BlueXtsea) for a year, because it was a lot of trouble to haul. I’ll probably only dive 4 days, so I would only be able to use it 2 of the 4 days by the time they get it filled.

I’m debating on whether to take it this time. I like the security it provides…

 

[DandyDon]

I have lugged my pony once before. I just left it with Christi (BlueXtsea) for a year, because it was a lot of trouble to haul.

I have considered leaving all of my gear there, but then I wouldn't have had it for a Roatan trip that came up last year.

I’ll probably only dive 4 days, so I would only be able to use it 2 of the 4 days by the time they get it filled.

I used to put up with delayed fillings. Ended up on a first day Devils Throat dive without my pony, and I did not like that.

Even if I don't get to my hotel until late afternoon, it's filled and on the boat the next morning. Salty Endeavors makes it happen.

 

[Boarderguy]

Buy a transfer whip and take that with you. Rent a tank when you get there and equalize your pony to the rented tank. You have a nearly full pony in under 30 minutes and you are out $10 each trip down. I call ahead to the local shops to see if they can do a same day fill. If they can't then I bring my whip.

I travel with my 13 and use blue painters tape because it doesn't leave any residue on the tank. Valve goes in a freezer quart bag. Tank and valve go in with my clothes. Tank on top and valve mixed in near the top of the bag.

 

[DandyDon]

Buy a transfer whip and take that with you.

More gear, more packing - easier to find shops that will fill the first night.

I travel with my 13 and use blue painters tape because it doesn't leave any residue on the tank.

I think that 2" electric tape is more secure and it does not leave a residue.

 

[Boarderguy]

More gear, more packing - easier to find shops that will fill the first night.

I think that 2" electric tape is more secure and it does not leave a residue.

You travel more than I do so I'll defer to your judgement on the tape. I just don't like the stuff since it can leave a nasty residue when on in hot weather or for a prolonged time. I prefer to not take a whip for the same reason but if the local shops can't spare 10 minutes to do a hot fill then I'll bring it. Rather have my buddy with me than wait an extra day.

 

[Endler's]

Much smaller (and considerably less expensive), than a transfer whip.
Read: Tank Equalizer for $2.50. Thanks Couv!

 

[ChuckP]

Wouldn't most dive ops need to have at least 1 or 2 on hand to teach Solo/Self-Reliant, etc.?

We would use a 40, 72 or 80.......

I have 40's here, some shops have 40's - I also have a transfill whip.....

I think people not having them here has nothing to do with liability, it's just they are rarely asked for and tanks are expensive here.

 

[FishWatcher747]

My Transfill whip weighs 2 pounds and is DIN-DIN as I have a DIN valve on my 19 cu ft Pony. So I also need to bring a yoke to DIN adapter which weighs 0.8 pounds.

So it is a PIA to bring it when I am maxing out my 50# checked bag as it is. The Pony weighs 13# (full I think).

If anyone weighed my carry on it would be very expensive for me as I stick about 30# in there.

So I try to travel without the Whip and hope I arrive early enough to get it filled for the first day. If travel is delayed or I do a late bag drag from Cancun I may not have it for dive day 1.

I ended up leaving a 19 cu ft Pony and tank valve with my shop in Coz and bought another one when I got home.

The problem with this is I now schedule a day of Cenote diving at the end of the trip before flying home from CUN and I don't have my Pony. I plan to try to rent one with the Cenote shop next trip.

I don't think my shop in Coz has a Transfill whip. Might be a good idea for me to give them one so I don't have to worry about it.