Scuba Tanks.. What kind/type to buy?

[MissBubbles205]

I have decided to buy my own scuba gear, rather than renting. I figured this would be the best way for me to go on more dives and be mmore cost effective in the long run. ) I'm still in the process of buying my own gear, but was wondering if I should also buy my own tank?.. I would really like to, but brands, sizes, and different types are really throwing me for a loop.

Will someone please tell me what tank I should look into buying?

Also, New/Used (what are the pros/cons?)

 

[OldNSalty]

It is true that you will dive more if you own your tanks but you are a good ways from the coast. Are there dive sights around that you would hit on a weekend if you had some tanks or do you just plan on diving on vacations?

Used tanks are fine but older aluminum ones are running into problems in some areas. I would say look for stuff with some hydro left and a good vis or you might be out the purchase price.

As to which tanks-what kind of diving are you going to be doing?

 

[MissBubbles205]

Thanks for the response!

We have a place about an hour from my house that we could/would easily access on a Saturday. My Fiance lives in GA and knows of a couple of places. Also, his family has properties in PC, FL that I wouldn't mind checking out and can easily carry a tank in my car. I figured it would be worth it with local dives like that rather than paying $12+ for a rental tank fee each day we decide to go diving.

How long does each hydro last?

I'm not sure.. right now, I haven't been on any dives since my certification. Probably mostly fresh water and some salty waters if we go to the beach.

 

[Montana Diver]

Hydro is good for five years, but the tank must pass a visual inspection yearly to be filled commercially. Tanks are a costly if you don't dive frequently. There is a lot of information regarding aluminum vs steel, depending on the buoyancy properties of your thermal protection. Generally women are more efficient with air supply, allowing you more flexibility. If you google scuba tanks, you will see various factors. I checked out the weight empty and full characteristics in water compared to the weight of the tank to carry. The main advantage of a tank is I can go tomorrow if we decide to put together a dive.

Do you have an LDS that will let you demo various sizes? I found several differences in buoyancy characteristics among various sizes. Up here in the cold we normally dive in dry suits, which makes steel tanks a great choice since that allows me to take pounds off my weight belt, When I am in the pool, I am negative in a 2mm shorty, however in fresh water I need only 14 pounds with heavy undergarments.

Best wishes
Dennis

 

[OldNSalty]

I noticed you said carry 'A' tank (singular) in your car....IMO, buying a single tank is worthless. If you are just doing a beach dive it is OK but you will not find a charter near by that will only take you out for 1 dive. Most are 2 dives, and some 3. If you only buy one tank you still end up renting...and if you buy something besides an Al80 then you might have trouble finding a shop that has a tank like yours to rent. For a set of tanks new you could spend upwards of $700 plus about $30 a year to do the vis on the pair.

Note-$700 is on the high side...it depends on the type and size...used will of course cost even less.

 

[MissBubbles205]

Hydro is good for five years, but the tank must pass a visual inspection yearly to be filled commercially. Tanks are a costly if you don't dive frequently. There is a lot of information regarding aluminum vs steel, depending on the buoyancy properties of your thermal protection. Generally women are more efficient with air supply, allowing you more flexibility. If you google scuba tanks, you will see various factors. I checked out the weight empty and full characteristics in water compared to the weight of the tank to carry. The main advantage of a tank is I can go tomorrow if we decide to put together a dive.

Do you have an LDS that will let you demo various sizes? I found several differences in buoyancy characteristics among various sizes. Up here in the cold we normally dive in dry suits, which makes steel tanks a great choice since that allows me to take pounds off my weight belt, When I am in the pool, I am negative in a 2mm shorty, however in fresh water I need only 14 pounds with heavy undergarments.

Best wishes
Dennis

Thanks Dennis for the info!.. I'm def a light breather, or at least I was in my classes and check out dives. I seemed to need about 6 pounds in a bathing suit and skin shirt in freshwater..

Seems like there is a ton more to learn about diving and equipment than I ever imagined...

---------- Post Merged at 01:18 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 01:12 PM ----------

I noticed you said carry 'A' tank (singular) in your car....IMO, buying a single tank is worthless. If you are just doing a beach dive it is OK but you will not find a charter near by that will only take you out for 1 dive. Most are 2 dives, and some 3. If you only buy one tank you still end up renting...and if you buy something besides an Al80 then you might have trouble finding a shop that has a tank like yours to rent. For a set of tanks new you could spend upwards of $700 plus about $30 a year to do the vis on the pair.

Note-$700 is on the high side...it depends on the type and size...used will of course cost even less.

Well here at my local diving place, it's $12 rental fee and a $7 air fill to your own tank or their's. Wasn't sure about rental fee's at the beach and other locations since I haven't looked yet...

I found some AL80 tanks online for about 210 brand new.. but it was Catalina and I wasn't sure about it.. I've also noticed many people sell used Luxfer tanks online...

 

[mala]

dont rush to buy .

 

[diversteve]

Since you're a new diver you may want to rent for a while.

It will give you time to decide what sort of diving you'll be doing and if owning even makes sense for you. And try out different sized steel vs. aluminum tanks, they have different buoyancy characteristics both full and empty. Some people for example don't like the weight difference in certain sizes of aluminum tanks at the start/end of a dive - compressed air weighs something - it can be up to a 6lb. weight shift or so. Typically steel tanks don't have that problem - but they're often heavier.

You can pay a lot of $10-12 rental fees for the price of a tank and maintenance - yearly inspections in our area are in the $25-35 range - a hydro is a lot more.
Should you start flying to the Caribbean or other exotic dive destinations, it's really hard to travel with tanks under the TSA rules now, they have to be emptied, valves removed for inspection, then inspected and installed before being filled. And they typically weigh enough empty to be a 2nd piece of luggage - larger tanks might be overweight.

Often women are much better on air consumption than men also. So that might be a factor in the tank size you choose vs. your regular dive buddy(ies). I once dove with a woman who was about 5' nothing, I used 2-1/2 tanks to her one using a standard aluminum 80. The boat we were on didn't offer 63's - that would have been optimal (and lighter) for her. As it was she was often returning to the boat with 1/2 tank left with me.

Also the more you're around other local divers, dive shops, watch for dive gear on craigslist etc. the more likely you are to find a good deal. With proper maintenance many tanks last decades.

It probably doesn't seem like you will now but our classifieds are full of gear from other new divers who decided after a year or so - or due to circumstances (moving, family etc.) that they no longer wish to dive. Scuba gear doesn't have the best resale value...

 

[MissBubbles205]

Thanks Steve!!.. A lot to consider here.. I guess I will test out and rent different tanks and if I happen to come across an awesome deal then I'll snatch it up.. Otherwise, I'll keep testing the waters (and tanks).

Thanks again everyone!!

 

[grandizer52]

considering there still some steels in use from the 50's....steel 100's or PST's (pressed steel tanks)