What Pony Bottle Should I Get if I Plan On Going Into Tech Diving Eventually?

[Vegan Shark]

Been thinking of getting a pony bottle for deeper recreational dives, as after 60ft I don't feel comfortable doing a CESA, and I currently don't have a stable dive buddy to make safely sharing air an option.

Thing is, eventually I want to branch into tech diving, so want to get a bottle I could use for that as well. I already slightly regret not going for a wing and backplate, since I want to dive double 130s eventually, and don't want any more buyer's remorse

I've read 30 and 40cf are the most common options, but with such a large tank clipped to my BC won't it throw off my balance under water? Do you just shift some of your weights to the other side to balance it out?

Do 19cf or lower bottles have any use in tech diving?

 

[Michael Guerrero]

40 cu ft. No, in doubles you're like a Mac Truck, you don't feel a 40, which you're using for deco. I wouldn't buy such a small tank (19) for anything, let alone tech diving.

 

[Superlyte27]

Well, AL19's have their uses, but not for a pony bottle. I have a few AL9's Al19's and several AL40's. I use the 9 and 19 for suit/wing inflation with my drysuit/rebreather. I use the AL40's deco.

There are a couple of girls in the cave diving community using AL30's for deco bottles, but it's not very common. On sunday, I saw no less than 20 deco bottles at the sign in the ear at Ginnie Springs. All of them were AL40's if that tells you anything.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Get a small pony that is suitable for your recreational diving. If and when you get into tech diving, you will literally be spending several thousand more dollars. If at that time, you have out grown the small pony, you can sell it used and take a $50-60 loss and apply it to a new 30 or 40 that is suited for tech diving...

 

[Michael Guerrero]

...30 or 40 that is suited for tech diving...

agree

 

[Dr. Lecter]

An AL40 is more than suitable for use as a recreational diving pony and is also good for a tech deco tank. It is not a "large tank clipped to your BC".

I frequently dive double 130s with two AL80s of deco gas clipped off on the left side...the only time I'd call those "large tanks clipped to my BC" is when I'm trying to wrestle them on while balancing the 130s on the rail of a small, crowded dive boat. Underwater, the two 80s only announce their presence when I'm inside a wreck; you won't notice the 40.

 

[Vegan Shark]

True, plus the pony bottles seem pretty inexpensive so getting one just for recreational should be fine. What pony size do people usually go for when diving in the 100ft range?

 

[GDI]

First of all I would consider now to begin buying the equipment you will need/want going into tech realm of diving. No need spending large amounts of money now and then doing it all again later.

The AL 30 or 40 is fine but it is just that fine and doable. I recommend rethinking your strategy. Today many of the newer steel tanks, known as blue steel ( - yet white in colour) are relatively neutral in the water so you will not have much of a concern of being off balance when clipping it to your BCD system. The steel tanks can come in 45 cu ft size and I would recommend a LP cylinder at that. Higher pressures of O2 are not the best from a safety point of view. A LP steel at 45 cu ft will be easier and safer to get fills for and because they are at 2400 psi you will get more of a topped off fill then you are likely to get in a AL 30 or 40 should the local gas fill station not have the ability to fully fill a AL to 3000 psi. Anyway something to consider. The steel will cost more up front then AL but at least you will buying only one cylinder and not two, one at a later date Good Luck

 

[Michael Guerrero]

True, plus the pony bottles seem pretty inexpensive so getting one just for recreational should be fine. What pony size do people usually go for when diving in the 100ft range?

30+, which is why I'd get a 40. More versatile. When you go tech, you'll get it oxy cleaned and use it as a deco bottle.

 

[Vegan Shark]

Is there a good guide out there on how to attach the pony to a BCD, where to keep the regulator, etc?