Steel Tanks

[mccabejc]

Decided I'm getting to the point where my tank rental fees are adding up to the cost of a tank, so I went to my local LDS looking for suggestions. I've heard some instructors say steel is the only way to go, but I'll be doing a lot of beach diving where I'll need two tanks per day, and since two steel tanks are too expensive, I opted for two AL80's ($110 each).

Anyway, the LDS told me that steel tanks are in short supply, and they could hunt around for one if I really wanted one. What is that all about?

 

[Furner]

Not sure about the present steel supply, and I dont know how your LDS is, but it kind of sounds like your LDS is trying to make the price they throw to you for the steel tank non-negotiable. At least to me, as both a computer parts buyer and seller, I hate to use that line, but I get it used on me once in a while.

IMHO......

 

[teknitroxdiver]

Because of the war, steel is kind of limited for uses like scuba tanks. So new tanks like the E series are quite expensive compared to a few years ago. Used tanks are somewhat cheaper but still more expensive. If you can afford the difference in price between alu and steel, I would definitley go for the steel. They say that steel is a tiny bit more trouble to take care of, but if you do take care of them good they will last forever. And it will seriously help your trim and weighting.

 

[pasley]

Both here and on other forums PST, one of the larger steel tank mfg was having delivery problmes. Don't know the cause, just heard they were in short supply and people were waiting a while to get them.

Steel tanks do require a bit more maintence. You need to remove the boot after every dive, or at least every few dives and clean to prevent salt build up here and the bottom rusting out. The attached website shows a steel tank that was not properly maintained and what it did to the car it was in.
http://www.diveshop-pr.com/pages.dir/engl.dir/tankexplosion.html

 

[wmspdi]

I have 4 PST E7-100s (2 air/2 Nitrox) and love them. I was able to drop about 6 lbs of weight from my belt and gained about 13 cubic ft more air @ 3441 PSI than with my AL80s filled to rated pressure (AL80s are only 77 ft3). My local PST dealer said that PST under estimated the sudden surge of interest in steel tanks. They failed to plan for it when ordering the special steel needed for these tanks, and in scheduling production runs. The PSTs are hot dip galvanlized instead of painted like some of the others... providing better rust protection. They also have Thermo DIN/Yoke valves so you can use either DIN or Yoke regulators by inserting (or removing) the screw-in valve adapter. Mine were deliverd NITROX cleaned and ready by Fill Express in Ft. Lauderdale. They are expensive but worth the money in the long term. IMHO...

 

[Aerodog]

After switching to steel for beach dives, I would never go back to AL. Especially around here where most of the beach dives require some elevation loss and gain in full gear. I took 8 lbs off my weight belt by going from a AL80 (std AL80) to a HP Steel 80 (PST E7-80). The HP steel 80 is also smaller AND lighter than an AL 80!

It does seem a little more difficult to get a good fill with the HP's. Also, don't get one of the older steel 72s that has a 2250psi rating, you won't gain any benefit from better bouyancy over the AL80 but it has all the minus' of steel.

IMHO, the benefits of HP steel far outweigh the cost of the tank when compared to a standard AL80.

Less weight on belt, less weight for the tank, lower profile.

Easier to get down to dive site, easier to get back up from dive site, easier to get through surf.

BTW, PM me if you want to buy a used AL80!

 

[JDostal]

PST was (is) having delivery problems. The city they are based in was forcing them to move, and the popular demand of their new E8 series is causing quite a bit of backorder. Didn't know that other mfg's were having the same problem though.

 

[reefman]

us steel prices at an all time high and in short supply. blame the chinese. a friend who is an exec for a major steel corp in ohio said that china is buying all the scrap and new steel they can find(along with cement and other building commodites) driving up US prices for all steel products!!! he predicts steel prices will continue to escalate!!!! by the way, divers outlet here in key largo has steel hp 100's for $324 and they said new tanks coming in(oct or nov) will approach $400 for the 100's.

reefman
key largo

 

[Kestrell]

Yeah, I was talking to my LDS about the PST E-8's and they are on serious back order. I'm looking to get some over the winter; probably 119's.

 

[6474286]

Decided I'm getting to the point where my tank rental fees are adding up to the cost of a tank, so I went to my local LDS looking for suggestions. I've heard some instructors say steel is the only way to go, but I'll be doing a lot of beach diving where I'll need two tanks per day, and since two steel tanks are too expensive, I opted for two AL80's ($110 each).

Anyway, the LDS told me that steel tanks are in short supply, and they could hunt around for one if I really wanted one. What is that all about?

Jim,

Generally in Europe, Steel tanks are the standard, and to be honest, I can understand why, basically you don't have to carry extra weight with you, it all sits nicely on your back!

In comparism to European prices, basically 110 is about the same as you would pay here; I think it's worth the extra cost, why not buy one now and rent the second, or consider a double set.

Paul