Bonaire trip planned in 27 days. Had our gear serviced and bought a new mask so we did a check out dive at our local lds in their pool. They provided us with small tanks and it was the first time I ever used a small tank. I was amazed how light it felt compared to a regular 80 cf tank! Like really amazed! We had much trouble with even some of the easy entries in bonaire as we fought with the weight of our gear and the waves. I wondered if with a small tank it would be easier. Well yes, of course it would be but what is the time under trade off? We have more than a couple of dives under our belts and are pretty good on air consumption. So after all that how much down time would I lose using a small tank? If it is minimal I could dive 2 mini tanks and maybe hit spots I would not feel comfortable with dragging a 80 cf tank
Size matters and maybe smaller is better?
- Thread starter wildbill9
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KentB
Contributor
The time under tradeoff will be dependant on the size of the "small" tank
KentB
Contributor
Small tank? AL63?
In Bonaire you are talking 63's. I love the 63's. I don't often see men use them but no reason you can't, except the dive ops don't have as many as the 80's so you can't always count on availability. To answer your question, it will cut your dive time by roughly 25 percent.
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Both myself and wife use 63 tanks on Bonaire,,first in the water and last out..usually come out of water with 600 to as much as 1000 left in tank. Dives can last from 50 to 80 minutes ..
K
KeithG
Guest
How does an al63 change your weighting compared to an al80?
Do you have to add more weight?
Do you have to add more weight?
gfaith
Contributor
Minimal change you might need 1-2 lbs less with AL63.
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victorzamora
Contributor
It all depends on what you're comparing. Luxfer vs Catalina tanks and there's also a "compact 80," a "compact 63," and a 53 as well. You're talking about comparing at least a half dozen tanks. Comparing a Luxfer 80 to a Luxfer 63,you can lose 2lbs off your weight belt.
Look up the Indian Valley Scuba Cylinder Specifications sheet. The "empty buoyancy" number is what you're most interested in comparing.
Kharon
Contributor
Interesting. When I tried a 63 on Bonaire (my first trip) I couldn't submerge with the weight I was using for the 80's. Wonder what the story with that was. Possibly with less weight in the 63, my blubber wasn't sufficiently compensated for..
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