Things to know before buying tanks
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GrumpyOldGuy
Contributor
tplyons
Contributor
I'll give you my opinion on owning tanks:
I bought a pair of aluminum 80's purely for the sake of convenience. I don't have to drive them across the state after work on Monday to avoid another day's rental charges. I had them filled with air whenever I had the chance, and they're in my basement ready to dive on a day's notice. I probably paid about $215 apiece including VIP. For me, this was a great price to pay to 1) avoid rental fees and 2) be ready to dive on a day's notice and 3) be able to head home on Monday evening instead of across the state to my LDS.
HOWEVER, I more recently picked up a pair of steel 100's. Paid around $100 more apiece, a little extra to have them O2 cleaned, and keep these filled either air or Nitrox, depending on my next dives. I love my steel 100's because I can drop 6 lbs. off my weight belt when diving them. I get 25% more air, save weight, and have better trim with my steels, all for an extra $100 apiece.
Suffice it to say, I seldom dive my aluminum tanks anymore, but like having my AL80's full of air for a short or shallow dive where I don't want to waste my more expensive Nitrox. They usually stay in the car if I'm planning 2 dives, but I like the option of having air for a 3rd dive if it fits into my plan.
If I were to do it again, I'd skip the AL80's and go straight for steel. You need to make a decision how much the convenience is worth to you (I dive at least two weekends a month from May to October, sometimes more) and no longer have to drive across the state. I can also dive on a day's notice instead of having to pick up rental tanks. If you dive as often as I do, it makes sense financially to have your own tanks. If you don't dive as often, it might not make any sense.
I bought a pair of aluminum 80's purely for the sake of convenience. I don't have to drive them across the state after work on Monday to avoid another day's rental charges. I had them filled with air whenever I had the chance, and they're in my basement ready to dive on a day's notice. I probably paid about $215 apiece including VIP. For me, this was a great price to pay to 1) avoid rental fees and 2) be ready to dive on a day's notice and 3) be able to head home on Monday evening instead of across the state to my LDS.
HOWEVER, I more recently picked up a pair of steel 100's. Paid around $100 more apiece, a little extra to have them O2 cleaned, and keep these filled either air or Nitrox, depending on my next dives. I love my steel 100's because I can drop 6 lbs. off my weight belt when diving them. I get 25% more air, save weight, and have better trim with my steels, all for an extra $100 apiece.
Suffice it to say, I seldom dive my aluminum tanks anymore, but like having my AL80's full of air for a short or shallow dive where I don't want to waste my more expensive Nitrox. They usually stay in the car if I'm planning 2 dives, but I like the option of having air for a 3rd dive if it fits into my plan.
If I were to do it again, I'd skip the AL80's and go straight for steel. You need to make a decision how much the convenience is worth to you (I dive at least two weekends a month from May to October, sometimes more) and no longer have to drive across the state. I can also dive on a day's notice instead of having to pick up rental tanks. If you dive as often as I do, it makes sense financially to have your own tanks. If you don't dive as often, it might not make any sense.
halocline
Contributor
I would try to get an idea of what tanks might be most useful for the local diving you will do, and find deals on used ones. HP 100s (not the old 3AA tanks!) are very versatile; almost everyone likes them and if you can find a couple of used ones at a good price locally, go for it. Same thing with AL80s; often you can pick those up very inexpensively, and they're useful. But I would not go out and buy two LP steel tanks for $300 each, and I wouldn't buy two new AL80s for $200 each. Look for prices about half of that.
For your height, stay away from short 8" tanks like LP95s. OMS used to sell a LP98 that was the same tank.
120s are pretty big and to me they would be of very little use for the local diving I do. I use LP72s and AL63s for most of my local diving, because it's shallow, sometimes a pretty long walk, and I really like diving with little tanks. Maybe I'll get a couple of 40s and try those.
But, some people love 120s, typically for very long/deep dives, which unless you're near the coast is probably unlikely. But if you're going to be bringing tanks to charter boats often in the ocean maybe they'd be great for you.
Most divers end up with a variety of tanks for different types of dives, and really the best thing is to find the good deals. There's almost no risk in buying used tanks as long as you're informed and can inspect them prior to committing to buy. By 'inspect' I mean look inside and make sure that steel tanks are not pitted with rust. There's a lot more to fully inspecting tanks but as far as buying used goes, a quick glance is usually sufficient.
For your height, stay away from short 8" tanks like LP95s. OMS used to sell a LP98 that was the same tank.
120s are pretty big and to me they would be of very little use for the local diving I do. I use LP72s and AL63s for most of my local diving, because it's shallow, sometimes a pretty long walk, and I really like diving with little tanks. Maybe I'll get a couple of 40s and try those.
But, some people love 120s, typically for very long/deep dives, which unless you're near the coast is probably unlikely. But if you're going to be bringing tanks to charter boats often in the ocean maybe they'd be great for you.
Most divers end up with a variety of tanks for different types of dives, and really the best thing is to find the good deals. There's almost no risk in buying used tanks as long as you're informed and can inspect them prior to committing to buy. By 'inspect' I mean look inside and make sure that steel tanks are not pitted with rust. There's a lot more to fully inspecting tanks but as far as buying used goes, a quick glance is usually sufficient.
When I was looking to buy tanks, I was told that some used tanks for sale (on Craigslist and such especially here in northern NE) might have been owned/used by urchin divers who purposely overfilled them time and again. And that this might have stressed/shortened the life of the tank. Halocline is right, be informed and thorough in inspecting any used tank before you commit to buy. There are good deals out there, but caveat emptor.
Bob DBF
Contributor
It's hard to go wrong on new tanks, get some experience with evaluating used tanks and you can save money down the road with used. Way back when, I bought two AL80's for the same price as a steel 72, which was the other choice. They may not have been optimum, but they worked, were less expensive, and cut down the dive shop trips.
I learned a lot about tanks over the years and now buy used tanks when I want them or just find a good deal, it's easy to sell used tanks if they are good and you didn't pay too much for them.
For boat dives where they refill the tank onboard, I take my LP95 as I get much better fills as it seems they shoot for a 3000# or so hot fill which leaves AL and HP steel under filled. Most of the time I get 2400# or more depending on whether they pay attention to the service pressure of the tank. Or it could be that they just like me.
My go to tank for most occasions is a HP100.
Since I have a lot of old 72's, 1956 being the oldest, I dive them a lot and are great for short, shallow, or dives with a hike. One pair is an old school set of J-valve doubles, and I'm putting together another set for some planned retro tech diving. It wasn't tech diving then, it was just SCUBA diving.
I still use AL80's when I run out of other tanks or that is the only rental choice.
Get whatever you like best now, and sort out the details over the ensuing years of diving.
Tanks are like kids, they are all your favorites.
Bob
---------------------------------
There is no problem that can't be solved with a liberal application of sex, tequila, money, duct tape, or high explosives, not necessarily in that order.
I learned a lot about tanks over the years and now buy used tanks when I want them or just find a good deal, it's easy to sell used tanks if they are good and you didn't pay too much for them.
For boat dives where they refill the tank onboard, I take my LP95 as I get much better fills as it seems they shoot for a 3000# or so hot fill which leaves AL and HP steel under filled. Most of the time I get 2400# or more depending on whether they pay attention to the service pressure of the tank. Or it could be that they just like me.
My go to tank for most occasions is a HP100.
Since I have a lot of old 72's, 1956 being the oldest, I dive them a lot and are great for short, shallow, or dives with a hike. One pair is an old school set of J-valve doubles, and I'm putting together another set for some planned retro tech diving. It wasn't tech diving then, it was just SCUBA diving.
I still use AL80's when I run out of other tanks or that is the only rental choice.
Get whatever you like best now, and sort out the details over the ensuing years of diving.
Tanks are like kids, they are all your favorites.
Bob
---------------------------------
There is no problem that can't be solved with a liberal application of sex, tequila, money, duct tape, or high explosives, not necessarily in that order.
halocline
Contributor
OP
SVT_Tactical
Contributor
Well after much deliberation and thought I'm going to pick up the two LP95s at the LDS. They offer free hydro for life and free VIP as well. They are going to also VIP my 19cu pony and fill it for free when i pick these two up tomorrow afternoon. Got to start somewhere.
meagicano
Contributor
---------- Post added August 23rd, 2013 at 12:32 PM ----------[/SIZE
[/COLOR]Also plan on loading and unloading the 120's on your own. Nobody is going to help you with those puppies.
This cracks me up. The group of people I dive with (and lots of others locally) dive steel 120s. The guys like the 133's. I'm a female and I am constantly lugging around those heavy steel tanks (as are many of my female friends)... I always forget how heavy they are until it's time to pick them up from the VIP.
The purchase of the year has been a small, collapsible cart I picked up from Costco for $20 for when I have to carry them long distances.
Good choice, that is what I went with. No weights with a BP/ W and a 3mm! Makes setting up easy. With a 5mm I think I'm diving 10lbs. The 3mm is old and used for warm water diving. I have a spread sheet showing fill/capacities is you want it. It doesn't take high pressure to get good volume.
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