Silly to buy Al40 as first tank?

[topher10]

Been diving a bit over 2 years and slowly accumulated all my gear. Only thing I really lack is a tank. Most of my dives will be Florida Panhandle Wrecks, Flower Gardens Liveaboard, and occasional flights to tropical vacations.

I would like to own a tank for 3 reasons:
1. Pre-dive: I would like to be able to check my gear before a trip. Insure no leaks, check regs, perhaps hit the neighbors pool to refresh skills and make sure everything works. Currently my dive shop has a monthly pool night. I go once each spring to refresh and make sure gear is functioning, but its not always convenient or necessary.

2. Post-dive: I would like to be able to soak my regulators pressurized. I get a lot of mixed information about whether rinsing is sufficient or if soaking is necessary, but others suggest that soaking is dangerous due to leaky dustcover or water coming in via second-stage. So the safest approach seems to just soak my regs pressurized.

3. I would like to eventually move towards servicing my own regs. Not sure about this one, but I can change my cars clutch and I can extract and sequence DNA, so I should be able to figure it out with a clear manual. Might need a class/mentor at first though.

So for all those things I need a tank, but for none do I need an Al80. I see no reason to buy my own Al80 since its about the same cost to rent at a destination as fill your own. Plus carrying it around etc. If I ever actually bought my own single tank, I would probably buy an HP100, but they are expensive and currently I don't think I need that for the dives I am doing with my level of experience. Plus if I move up i might sidemount or backmount doubles. So it doesn't make sense to buy a steel tank currently.

So that brings me to the Al40:
1. Cheap.
2. Small enough to fit in my bathtub.
3. Enough air to let me play in a 6ft pool.
4. Could be eventually converted to slung pony/deco

The only real competition would be something like an Al19, because it would be even smaller and easier to manage. But that is almost too small for pony or pool use, and the cost is roughly the same.

Thoughts?

 

[kelemvor]

I don't think my 40 was much (or any?) cheaper than I could get an 80 for.. Do you have a line on a used one?

 

[guruboy]

Your reasoning is reasonable, but a 40 is huge for things like soaking and reg testing/repair.

 

[RandomGuy1]

Personally in your situation, I would watch craigslist / used adds and buy the first thing I found cheap enough and in hydro and vis. anything al19 - al40 would work for what you want. AL30 would probably be my preference though.

 

[2airishuman]

I see no reason to buy my own Al80 since its about the same cost to rent at a destination as fill your own. Plus carrying it around etc. If I ever actually bought my own single tank, I would probably buy an HP100, but they are expensive and currently I don't think I need that for the dives I am doing with my level of experience. Plus if I move up i might sidemount or backmount doubles. So it doesn't make sense to buy a steel tank currently.

So that brings me to the Al40:
1. Cheap.
2. Small enough to fit in my bathtub.
3. Enough air to let me play in a 6ft pool.
4. Could be eventually converted to slung pony/deco

The only real competition would be something like an Al19, because it would be even smaller and easier to manage. But that is almost too small for pony or pool use, and the cost is roughly the same.

Thoughts?

Be sure that an AL40 will work with your BC. It may not, because of the smaller diameter.

You may be able to pick up an LP72 for less money than an AL40, especially if you are not picky about galvanized vs. painted or about the kind of valve it has.

I use a 3cf steel cylinder for soaking regs and reg maintenance, that I got for $10 on ebay. It did not come with a valve so the total acquisition cost was somewhat higher. It is small enough that I can conveniently soak regs in the sink.

 

[Doby45]

I would say you are right on with your thinking and the 40 would be the way to go. You could literally soak your regs in a 5-gallon bucket with a 40 just as well as any of the other "small" tanks. You can utilize the 40 on down the road as an excellent pony bottle. I believe a full 40 is actually easier to deal and work with than a 19 or 30.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Your reason Nos. 1, 2, and 4 for buying an Al 40 as your first tank are EXACTLY the reasons I did so. (I have no interest in diving in a pool with it--your reason No. 3--though.)

 

[victorzamora]

topher: an AL40 is a great idea. That'd be a great pony, they float and mount well (better than an AL13, 19, and 30, imo) and would serve as a fantastic deco bottle in the future in the case you decide to move to tec diving.

 

[topher10]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. Its very helpful.

I agree that an Al40 is probably bigger than I need for regulator soaking and maintenance, but the prices for new tanks are not that much different. DGX as an Al40 for $139, while a 19 is $129 and a 6 is $109. Since the Al40 has more potential for additional uses as my diving experience grows, it seems like a no-brainer as long as the Al40 is not too big to do the things I want.

At those prices I am also not sure its worth the hassle of buying used and dealing with potential issues, shipping, hydro, etc. But I am in no rush so will keep my eyes open for good deals over the next several months.

Thanks again

 

[Lorenzoid]

Again, I agree with your reasoning, since my reasoning for buying one (from DGX) was the same. Unless one enjoys stopping by the dive shop for a fill, an Al 40 is not really "too big" for things like soaking and testing regs. I have had mine for close to a year and not yet had to refill it. In the meantime, I have bought some other tanks. But buying the 40 first made sense to me.